Sixtus Z. Atabong was born and raised in Muyuka sub-division, Cameroon. He migrated to the United States in 1996 where he obtained a Bachelor of science degree Clinical Laboratory Science and a masters of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies both from Texas Tech University. Sixtus currently practices Neurosurgery in Lubbock, Texas. He is the recipient of numerous national and international awards for his leadership and humanitarian work including the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Hall of Fame Award and the American Red Cross' Humanitarian of the Year Award. He is the founder and current president of Purpose Medical Mission, a position he has held since 2008. Sixtus lives in Lubbock with his wife, Kyu Mee. They have two sons.
Sixtus is the author of My Father's Gift, available on Amazon.
Find out more about Sixtus at sixtusatabong.com.
Kathleen Jo Horne is from Waltham, Massachusetts and resides in Lubbock, Texas. She attended McMurry University in Abilene, Texas. She received a BA in Christian Education from Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. Kathy obtained a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) from Texas Tech University in 2005. For six and half years she has been a PA in Nephrology and Internal Medicine. She has four children and one grandchild. Kathleen is one of the founding members of Purpose Medical Mission.
Sonia Arismendez is the new Treasurer for Purpose Medical Mission. Her and her husband, Raul, have been married for 33 years and have two sons and daughter-in-loves, and three grandbabies. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, especially those sweet grandbabies.
Sonia has been in banking for 41 years, and the last 20 of those years have been with Peoples Bank. She is currently the Senior Vice President & Director of Customer Service.
Yves was born in Ekondo-Titi and raised in Limbe, Cameroon. In 2007, he migrated to the United States from Germany, where he earned his master's and doctorate degrees at the Humboldt University of Berlin. There, he worked as a research scientist and served as research liaison to Cuba. Upon relocating to the United States, he worked as a research scientist with the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Systems for five years. Currently, a research crop physiologist at the United States Department of Agriculture, USDA-ARS, Dr. Emendack has been using his expertise to help address global food insecurity particularly in third world countries. A polyglot, Yves has been married to his wife Dr. Haydee Laza for 20+ years, and they are blessed with two daughters and a son.
David William Bayouth was born in Lubbock, Texas. He attended Texas Tech University where he received his Bachelor of Arts. David is the CEO of Jarvis Metal Recycling, Inc. and has been with the company for 18 years. He is married to Leigh and they have four children.
Dianne Burnett was born and raised in Paris, Texas but has been a permanent West Texas resident since 2010. She joined Grace Health System in 2015 where she has served in various roles such as director of marketing and communications and currently serves as the manager of operations at Grace Surgical Hospital. In her role, she is a key figure in a variety of areas including executive and business operations, project management, patient and caregiver experience, organizational development, and everything in between. She is lovingly known as Grace's "Head Cheerleader", a title she is honored to have.
Dianne has been an active supporter of Purpose Medical Mission for years and officially joined the board in 2022 as the director of events and communications. Her love for our mission and servant's heart makes her a perfect fit for our organization.
Dianne is a proud Texas Tech Red Raider with a bachelor's degree in communication studies-corporate/organizational and holds a Master of Business Administration from West Texas A&M University. She and her husband, Keagan, have two daughters, Hadley and Merrytt.
Lindsey Slaughter brings more than 15 years of operations, business administration, and project management skills to her role at Purpose Medical Mission. She has spent her career working with executive teams, non-profits, and entrepreneurs to operationalize, manage, develop, and execute their vision and strategy.
Lindsey works as the Director of Operations for Adamantine Energy, an energy policy firm that advises private clients from Fortune 100 energy companies to nonprofit environmental organizations in matters including ESG and decarbonization strategies, managing disruption, energy policy, environmental justice, and stakeholder engagement.
Lindsey studied political science at Texas A&M University and lives in Lubbock, TX with her husband Cody, and their five children.
Jose Paniagua was born in Masaya, Nicaragua. He moved to the United States over 25 years ago. He graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1987 from Eastern New Mexico University and worked at UMC in the ER and radiology and also in Georgetown University Neuro-Surgery Unit in Washington D.C. He obtained a Master Degree of Science in Nursing in 2000 from West Texas University and joined TTUHSC Department of Surgery and Covenant Medical Center as a Nurse Practitioner. He is currently working for Covenant Medical Group Pediatric Surgery under Dr. Jane Goldthorn and Dr. Richard Ranne for over 11 years. Jose has taken many mission trips to Nicaragua to assist the local hospitals with the help of Covenant Medical Center Child Life and as a member of the Benevolent Order of the Elks. His only son Nick Paniagua is currently a student at South Plains College that is also working at TTUHSC Biology Department in diabetes research under the direction of Dr. Jannette Dufour.
Patricia Nell Cunningham was born in Tulia, Texas and moved around West Texas as the daughter of a Methodist minister. Patti graduated from West Texas State University in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. Patti worked at the Hospital as well as the Hale County Health Department in Plainview before beginning a 29 year career as a School Nurse. She retired from Frenship ISD in 2014. Patti has been married for 32 years to Bruce Cunningham. They have two children and 3 grandchildren.
Marisa Hardin has a Master's in Business Administration & Management. She is currently employed by Covenant Medical Group, managing Pediatric Sub-specialty practices including Pediatric Surgery for over twenty years. She has been married to Tom Hardin for 28 years and they have three children. Her daughter, Haley Victoria works at LockHeed Martin in Fort Worth, her son Nico recently graduated from Texas Tech with a Bachelors in Business Agriculture and Isabela is attending Texas Tech studying Kinesiology. Marisa has strong initiative, judgment, and problem solving skills. She is fluent in Spanish and has a sense of vision to accomplish organizational goals. Marisa & her husband, Tom were co- owners of Whisltin Dixie BBQ restaurants, she has entrepreneurial experience as well as event and catering capabilities. She is ready to assistant in providing care to the medical community & be part of Purpose Medical Mission serving people around the globe with my family.
Tom Stanton has worked in inner-city and international ministry projects for 40 years. He served for 10 years as a Chancellor to a United Methodist Conference and now serves as General Counsel for the Texas Methodist Foundation and the Wesleyan Investive.
Prior to joining TMF, Tom was a trial lawyer, presented cases before appellate courts in Texas and Federal Courts, and served as an Arbitrator and Mediator. Tom has presented papers on representing persons in the area of addiction, mental health, and child welfare.
He has a Bachelor's degree in Theology and Economics from Georgetown University and a law degree from the University of Texas School of Law.
Tom has a passion for ministry "beyond the walls". He has been active for 18 years in resourcing and deepening relationships with laity and clergy in the DR Congo in a community with a medical clinic, surgical center, nutrition program, and more recently an agriculture program. He speaks French and has been the coordinator for 9 Purpose Medical Mission sponsored trips to DR Congo. He is a great source of humor for the younger PMM team members as he repeats "be at peace" a bit too often for their tastes! He has been known to cheer for the Aggies.
Tom is married for 43 years to Mary Len, and they have three children and four grandchildren.
Sammy A. Deeb, MD is Partner at SWAT Surgical Associates of Lubbock Texas. He received his medical degree in 1992 and finished his residency training in General Surgery in 1997 both at Texas Tech University School of Medicine. Sammy worked at Texas Tech university school of Medicine for five years before joining SWAT Surgical associates in 2002. He is a Board certified General Surgeon by the American Board of Surgery. He also has a Master Degree in Medical Education from the University of Southern California and is currently the Surgery residency program director at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas. Sammy is one of the founding members of Purpose Medical Mission. He is married to Dr. Emily Deeb and they have two children Phillip and Thomas.
Nicole Hines RN, MSN, CIC is a native to Texas and was born in Fort Worth. She graduated from the West Texas A&M with a bachelor's degree in Nursing and received her Master's from Lubbock Christian University. She is the Managing Director of the Office of Institutional Health at Texas Tech University Health Science Center. Nicole has been working in Infection Control for more than 17 years and is board certified in Infection Control. Nicole currently lives in the Lubbock area and is married to Byron Hines. They have two children Mckyna and Brenner.
Lennon Ndi was born in Kumba, in the Southwest region of Cameroon to a family of five children. He migrated to the United States in 2003 and obtained a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Nursing from West Texas A&M University. He currently works as a registered nurse at Covenant Health System in Lubbock. He has been married to his wife Lueginia for six years and they have three lovely children.
Richard Edward George, Jr. MD was born in San Antonio, Texas and lives in Lubbock, Texas. He attended Baylor College of Medicine - MD Anderson Cancer Center. Richard's residency and fellowship were done in pediatric neurosurgery. He currently practices neurosurgery at Grace Clinic in Lubbock. He is married to Nicole and they have twelve children. Richard is one of the founding members of Purpose Medical Mission.
Michael David Reddell is a resident of Lubbock, Texas. Mike graduated from Monterey High School. He completed Paramedic training from Texas Tech School of Allied health and graduated from Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in 1991. He received a Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant studies in 2005. He was a critical care and flight nurse with AeroCare Medical Transport for 10 years. Michael is currently employed as a physician assistant with the Center for Orthopedic Surgery. Mike has served as a deacon at his church for the past 10 years. Mike has been married to Donna for 23 years and has one son West. Mike is one of the founding members of Purpose Medical Mission.
Clarke E. Cochran is Vice President, Mission Integration, with Covenant Health System in Lubbock, Texas. In this position he is a member of the senior management team with responsibility for the departments of Spiritual Care, Community Health Outreach, and Mission Services. He retired in January 2008 as Professor of Political Science and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Health Organization Management at Texas Tech University, where he specialized in religion and politics, political philosophy, and health care policy. He received his PhD in Political Science from Duke University in 1971. Clarke and his wife, Anne, are the parents of four children and the grandparents of eight.
Cristina Ann Haralson was born in Olney, Texas and currently lives in Lubbock Texas. Crissy graduated from Lubbock Christian High School and attended Lubbock Christian University. Crissy has worked at Earl's Plumbing, Heating & Air since 2005 when she co-found the business with her husband. She is married to Earl Haralson and they have five children.
Robin C. Minielly, MD is originally Canadian, growing up in Sayre, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Wilkes University, in Wilkes-Barre, PA with a bachelor's degree in biology. He received his medical degree from MCP-Hahnemann University School of Medicine, now Drexel University School of Medicine, in Philadelphia, PA. He was a resident in General Surgery for two years, did basic science research in Trauma Immunology, then completed his Anesthesiology residency, all at the University of Rochester, Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY. He also worked for 5 years as a Surgical Hospitalist and Emergency Physician in Rochester before coming to Lubbock in 2009. He was an anesthesiologist at Covenant Health System and High Plains Surgery Center, and is now the Chief of Ambulatory and Perioperative Services at Grace Health System. He has been part of the mission team to Cameroon on two occasions, teaching and overseeing African CRNAs, as well as providing anesthesia to the patients having surgery. Robin currently lives in Lubbock with his wife, Rachel. They have four children, Ian, Eva, Sadie, and Cecily, who help them on their small farm, caring for sheep, milk goats, chickens, turkeys, beef cattle, horses, and dogs.
Jonathan Latour is from New Orleans, Louisiana and currently resides in Lubbock, Texas. He completed his residency anesthesiology and fellowship cardiovascular anesthesiology from Emory University. Jonathan has been an anesthesiologist since 1995. He is married to Patty Kennedy Latour and has five children.
Dr. James Burke, MD is a board certified orthopaedic surgeon. He was born in England and moved to the United States in 1981. Dr. Burke is a member of Covenant Orthopaedic Group. He is married with two children and three grandchildren. He is one of the founding members of Purpose Medical Mission and currently serves on the advisory board.
Amy P. Peck was born in Kermit Texas and has been a resident of Lubbock for over 20 years. Amy graduated from Texas Tech with a Bachelors Degree in Family Studies. She has been a licensed Child Life Specialist for fourteen years and worked as a Child Life Department Manager at Covenant Women's and Children's Hospital. Amy's Child Life Program at Covenant was featured in numerous local media stories and she has been recognized for her community outreach and education. Amy currently works as an Area Manager for Encompass Home Health providing guidance to people in the community in need of Home Health services. Amy is the proud mother of three sons Riley, Dawson, and Luke. She is happily married to her husband, Jeff Peck.
