Dr. Hodes Spotlight: HBO Special, Book Launch, & Good Morning America

WILL WORK FOR FOOD board member, Dr. Rick Hodes, is back in the news, this time for a well-deserved trifecta of media glory that further introduces the world to his amazing work. You may remember that Dr. Hodes came to Ann Arbor on February 15th, and gave a speech to a packed auditorium on the U-M campus. His inspiring stories of his medical work in Africa left the crowd in awe and wanting to learn more.

Fortunately, on Wednesday April 14th a documentary about Dr. Hodes will air on HBO2 at 8:00pm ET. This Sue Rockefeller film is entitled “Making the Crooked Straight,” and it is sure to provide a powerful visual account of Dr. Hodes work with Ethiopian children in need.

The HBO special airing coincides with the release of Marilyn Berger’s book “This Is a Soul: The Mission of Rick Hodes,” which went on sale today (4/13/2010). The book has already received a great deal of praise from some very noteworthy sources:

“This is a Soul is a fascinating, richly moving and emotionally powerful book.”
Henry Kissinger – Former U.S. Secretary of State, 1973 Nobel Peace Prize Recipient

“Dr. Rick Hodes’ life story is a reminder that giving is a privilege in which we may take pleasure, not some saintly endeavor. His approach toward medicine should be a model for our current Western system in showing that tending to the soul is at the center of healing. This is a Soul envelops the reader in Dr. Hodes’ indefatigable light and is an inspirational reading experience.”
Natalie Portman – Hollywood Actress, Political/Social Activist

“Dr. Rick’s heroic mission to come from America, not just to cure, but to provide a family for as many orphan children as he possibly can, is inspirational. And in a surprising twist, Berger’s own discovery and developing relationship with one of the little patients is deeply moving. A must read that will melt the heart!”
Christiane Amanpour – Former CNN Chief International Correspondent, Host of ABC’s This Week

Finally, Dr. Hodes appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America earlier today (4/13/10) along with Berger to promote the book and his amazing story.

Again, be sure to watch “Making the Crooked Straight” on HBO2 Wednesday April 14th at 8:00pm ET (or check the HBO site for future showings) and find yourself a copy of Marilyn Berger’s new book, “This Is a Soul: The Mission of Rick Hodes,” in bookstores now.

Dr. Hodes is committed to making the world a better place. If you are looking for a way to start making a difference, WILL WORK FOR FOOD is a great place to start. WILL WORK FOR FOOD provides a wonderful opportunity for people to "volunteer locally to save children globally." Get started today!

If you want to know every time WILL WORK FOR FOOD posts something new to our blog, email admin@willworkforfood.org with the subject line "Sign me up."

Dr. Hodes Wows Ann Arbor

Dr. Rick Hodes, a member of the WILL WORK FOR FOOD board, visited Ann Arbor Monday (2/15/10) to give a talk at the University of Michigan about his work in Ethiopia. Dr. Hodes has been highlighted by CNN “Heroes” program and is the subject of an HBO documentary coming out in April. Hodes first went to Africa in 1984 as a relief worker during the Ethiopian Famine and was hired by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) in 1990 to head up their work in Ethiopia. He is currently a Senior Attending Physician at Mother Theresa’s Mission in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa where he treats 20-25 patients a day – for free.

“Dr. Hodes is by far the most selfless man I've ever met and his work is inspirational,” said U-M freshman Todd Siegal, “He sees an issue, a complication, a child in need, and he acts immediately.”

Dr. Hodes has dedicated his life to helping Ethiopians in desperate need of care. It is as if the entire country knows he is the man to go to for help. He doesn’t seek out patients, he doesn’t advertise his services, and he doesn’t have a website. However, because of his ever-growing reputation, patients come from as far as 400 miles away to knock on Dr. Hodes’ door.

Because funding is always tight, Dr. Hodes has had to get creative when it comes to treating his patients. “I started out giving chemotherapy on my front porch [in Ethiopia],” said Dr. Hodes, “and I really like medicines from India because they are only about 8% of the cost of American drugs.”

A natural storyteller, Dr. Hodes’ tales kept the packed auditorium of over 250 people captivated throughout his entire presentation. Dr. Hodes spoke about two boys who suffered from Pott’s disease, a version of tuberculosis that affects the spine. One’s back jutted out at a 90° angle while the other’s was at 120°. This was a case that not even Dr. Hodes could treat. Rather than rejecting the boys into a world where they didn’t stand no chance, he found a way to help. Dr. Hodes adopted the kids, allowing him to add the boys to his medical insurance and fly them to Dallas for surgery. He has adopted three more kids to his family and has started sending them to high school in the United States.

“When I came to hear Dr. Hodes talk, I knew nothing of what he did or how many lives he has dedicated himself to saving,” said Jonathan Rubins, “As I left the building, I felt a sense of awe. He is a testament to the perennial truth that a great impact can be made by sole individuals.”

WILL WORK FOR FOOD co-sponsored the event with the University of Michigan’s Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Hillel, Global REACH and Ginsberg Center. WILL WORK FOR FOOD aims to stimulate local community service while raising relief funds to fight child malnutrition abroad.

According to the CEO of WILL WORK FOR FOOD, Steve Weinberg, “Malnutrition is often referred to as the ‘Silent Killer’ in the international aid community because it does not receive the same amount of media attention as natural disasters or armed conflicts. This is part of the reason why we are so inspired by Dr. Hodes’ work of ‘helping people nobody else is interested in.’"

We will be posting a video of Dr. Hodes' talk on our site soon.

If you want to know every time WILL WORK FOR FOOD posts something new to our blog, email willworkforfoodblog@gmail.com with the subject line "Sign me up."

Dr. Rick Hodes To Speak at U-M

[Dr. Rick Hodes] could have done very well for himself practicing in the United States, but he chose to do something so much harder. He's totally selfless. I've really never met anyone like him.

-Irving Fish, MD, New York University

This Monday, February 15, 2010, Dr. Rick Hodes – a physician well-known for his work with the children of Ethiopia – will be giving a speech at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health. Dr. Hodes will be speaking about his many experiences practicing in Africa including the 1984 Ethiopian Famine and his work at Mother Teresa’s Mission in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa.

Dr. Hodes has dedicated his life to “helping people nobody else is interested in.” Specializing in cancer, heart disease, and spinal conditions, the John Hopkins-graduate has gone above and beyond his profession’s typical job description. The man who has been called “Father Teresa” does whatever it takes to get the necessary treatment to any and every child who comes his way, simply by living by his philosophy of “Don’t say no.” He treats about twenty sick Ethiopians a day, all at no cost to the patient. He has been highlighted by the CNN show, “Heroes,” and is the subject of an upcoming HBO documentary, “Making the Crooked Straight.”

Don’t miss your chance to hear the remarkable stories of the great Dr. Hodes. Hopefully, his work in Ethiopia will inspire you to Get Involved with WILL WORK FOR FOOD, today!

Dr. Rick Hodes
Monday, February 15, 2010
University of Michigan School of Public Health
1415 Washington Heights
SPH I Crossroads 1690
7:00 - 8:00pm

This privilege was made possible by the generous contributions of UM Center for Global Health, UM School of Public Health, Will Work For Food, UM Hillel, Global REACH, and the Ginsberg Center.

If you want to know every time WILL WORK FOR FOOD posts something new to our blog, email willworkforfoodblog@gmail.com with the subject line "Sign me up."