We are thrilled to welcome Doris Weaver to the long-term formation class this year. Doris will soon embark on a three-year mission to serve at St. Anne’s Hospital in Damongo, Ghana, bringing her skills, experience, and faith to communities in need.

A Journey Rooted in Faith and Service

Doris was born in Mindanao, Philippines, to a Filipino mother and an American father. She moved to the United States at age 14 and completed her nursing education in Virginia, earning her BSN in 1976. Her career in healthcare has been extensive and deeply rooted in service: she served in the Navy Nurse Corps, met her husband there, and later worked for many years as a public health nurse in Atlanta. Always seeking ways to serve those without access to care, Doris pursued a master’s degree as a family nurse practitioner, expanding her ability to meet the needs of underserved populations.

Answering the Call to International Service

Doris has long dreamed of serving internationally, and her participation in the Mission Doctors discernment retreat confirmed that this was the right path. “The retreat impressed upon me the commitment of the staff to prepare and support candidates throughout their time abroad,” she says. Now, in retirement and recently widowed, Doris feels ready to dedicate herself fully to long-term mission service.

“I am physically and cognitively well,” she shares, “and this will give me purpose during my retirement.” Doris is particularly excited about the opportunity to pray and study in community as she discerns her call to mission alongside her fellow Mission Doctors.

Anticipating Challenges and Embracing Growth

While Doris is eager to serve, she is also realistic about the challenges ahead. Preparing for her mission involves organizing her personal affairs and saying goodbye to family, and she anticipates the unique experience of living in community with four strangers. Yet her faith, resilience, and dedication will guide her through these transitions.

Her commitment is deeply rooted in Catholic social teaching, particularly the principles of the inherent dignity of the person, solidarity, and preferential option for the poor, which have shaped her career as a nurse practitioner. Doris believes that prayer, community, and the assurance of God’s love will sustain her throughout her mission.

Gifts and Goals for Mission

Doris brings unique gifts to the communities she will serve: faith, listening skills, and years of experience in public health and primary care. She sees her long-term mission work as a natural continuation of her faith journey—using her skills and knowledge to serve while learning from those she encounters.

“My message to the Mission Doctors community and donors is simple,” Doris says. “Thank you for your prayers and support. It is a privilege to be sent by you to extend Christ’s healing ministry to our brothers and sisters in Damongo, Ghana. May I meet your expectations.”

Send Doris Your Prayers and Messages

You can join Doris on her mission journey by sending her a personal message or prayer! Your encouragement will mean so much as she prepares for this next chapter of service.