Edvin Selmani MD, PhD graduated from the University of Tirana Albania Medical School in 1998 and completed his residency in Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery in 2003. He earned a certificate of Fellowship in Foot and Ankle Surgery at Campbell Clinic (2005) .He has a Master’s Degree (2006) in Orthopedics and PHD degree (2015). Since 2005 he has worked as an orthopedic and trauma surgeon and a Lecturer and Associate Professor (2023) in the University of Medicine Tirana Albania. He served as President of Albanian Christian Medical and Dental Association from 2005-2007 and member of Executive Committee of Albanian CMDA currently. He is married with Dr. Valbona Selmani and have two children.

Mark H. Johnston, MD, FACG, AGAF is a recently retired gastroenterologist from private practice in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and a retired U.S. Navy Captain. A graduate of Hahnemann Medical University through the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program, he entered naval service in 1985 and later served as Head of Gastroenterology at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, where he was a consultant to the White House, U.S. Congress, and Supreme Court. Dr. Johnston practiced medicine for nearly 40 years and holds two U.S. patents, including the invention of endoscopic cryospray ablation using liquid nitrogen. He has served with the Albanian Health Fund for over 30 years, including as president, advancing medical education and Christian outreach in Albania. He is also founder and president of Johnston’s Hope Foundation, supporting global Christian missions. His honors include Maryland Innovator of the Year, two Meritorious Service Medals, and Professor Honoris Causa from University Hospital Mother Teresa in Albania. He is the author of 17 Cairns and serves as an elder in his church.

Zefjan Nikolla is the General Secretary of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students in Albania (BSKSH/IFES) and serves as Pastor of Emanuel Evangelical Church in Tirana, Albania. In these roles he leads national and international evangelistic initiatives, youth and university ministries, and efforts to engage leaders with the gospel. He also directs the Albanian Leadership Forum, which focuses on developing Christian leadership across sectors. Nikolla studied English Language and Literature and Albanian Language and Literature at Tirana University, and has additional training in theology, leadership, and ministry. He grew up in Albania during its communist era, later finding faith through IFES Bible studies and becoming deeply committed to discipleship and outreach. Nikolla is married to Edita and they have two daughters, Greis and Emili. His passions include reading, sports, and seeing spiritual transformation in his nation.

Catherine Cowles, BSN, RN, OCN, Secretary Albanian Health Fund, earned her nursing degree in 2005 and began her career in the Cardiopulmonary Transplant ICU, where she spent a decade providing exceptional care. She later transitioned to oncology nursing, where she had the unique opportunity to work alongside her father, a physician. Since 2023, Catherine has shifted her focus to her family, spending more time at home with her husband and their four children. While no longer working full-time, she serves as a school nurse at her children’s school when needed. Catherine and her family reside in Germantown, Tennessee, where they are active members of Harvest Church. Deeply devoted to her faith, Catherine loves the Lord and has a heart for leading others into a deeper relationship with Him. Although her professional nursing responsibilities have decreased, her passion for mentoring and partnering with students continues to grow as she seeks to encourage others to walk closely with Christ in every area of life.

Philip G. Svalya has been a steadfast supporter and leader within the Albanian Health Fund for over three decades, serving faithfully as the organization’s Secretary since its inception. One of the original board members, his dedication, sacrificial giving, and service have greatly blessed the ministry and its mission to improve healthcare in Albania. Mr. Svalya is a distinguished trial attorney practicing in the Santa Clara Valley of California. He holds a law degree from Santa Clara University Law School and is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy. A retired Captain from the Navy Reserves, Mr. Svalya also served as a Navy SEAL, demonstrating a lifetime of leadership, discipline, and commitment to service. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Mr. Svalya has personally supported the Albanian Health Fund’s efforts by traveling to Albania with his wife and two children, accompanying medical teams to provide healthcare and mentorship. His willingness to dedicate both time and financial resources has been instrumental in the success and longevity of the Fund’s ministry. Mr. Svalya’s unwavering commitment to the Albanian Health Fund reflects his deep compassion and desire to make a meaningful impact in underserved communities. His leadership and example continue to inspire others to join in advancing the mission of hope and healing.

Ms. Piña retired from her career in December 2024 after working 12 years in the public sector and more than 30 years in the private sector taking on the Controller/Manager/CFO/Human Resources/Board Secretary/Office Manager roles. Her career managed financials, accounting, budgets, customer service, and human resource functions as well as worked with over 30 start-up companies in various accounting roles which included accounting, controller, and CFO roles. Before joining us, she volunteered with the “Sports Challenge Ministries” and “Kingdom First Ministries” at Stanford University. She has a BS in Accounting from San Jose State University. She currently takes care of her elderly mother and also lives near two of her seven grandchildren in North County San Diego.

Ryan M. Kwok, MD, FACP is a board-certified gastroenterologist and hepatologist serving within the federal health care system. Previously he served as chief of Gastroenterology & Hepatology at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington. He holds an appointment as an associate professor of medicine at the Uniformed Services University, reflecting his dual commitment to clinical excellence and medical education. Dr. Kwok earned his medical degree from the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, Maryland, completed his internal medicine residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, followed by fellowships in gastroenterology at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and transplant hepatology at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. His research interests include viral hepatitis, drug-induced liver injury, and chronic liver disease in the COVID-19 era. Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Kwok has participated in medical missions in the United States, East Asia, Ecuador, and Albania, demonstrating a strong dedication to global health and service.

Dr. Valbona Selmani graduated from University of Medicine Tirana Albania in 2003. She worked for 8 years in the National Blood Transfusion Center and had a training in Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis Tennessee in 2004-2005. Now she works as a School Doctor. Dr. Selmani has been in the leadership team of Albanian Christian Medical and Association in the last 15 years and now serves as President of Albanian CMDA since 2019. She is married to Dr. Edvin Selmani, and they have two children.

Randy Thompson, DDS, was born in Arlington, WA. He attended the University of Washington Dental School. Following graduation, he joined the US Army Dental Corps, serving for 22 years. Upon retirement in 1996, he joined a small group dental practice on Camano Is in WA. He enjoyed serving the community until 2015, and then retired. He and his wife Jamie have two daughters and three grandchildren. He enjoys reading, bike riding, traveling, and spending summers off grid on a small island. He has used his dentistry skills in many overseas third world countries which has blessed his life abundantly.

Gary Russell, MD, is a family physician who has combined a career in clinical medicine, leadership, medical education, and global missions. A graduate of Oral Roberts University School of Medicine, he and his wife, Susan Russell, MD, completed Family Medicine residency training at Washington Hospital in Pennsylvania before serving with the U.S. Air Force at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. In 1993, Dr. Russell joined Geisinger Medical Clinics in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, where he practiced the full spectrum of Family Medicine, including obstetrics, pediatrics, adult medicine, inpatient care, and post-acute and long-term care for over 30 years. He served in numerous leadership roles, including Chief of Staff of Tyler Hospital. Since leaving Geisinger, Dr. Russell has focused on virtual medical care and medical missions throughout Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. His passion is teaching medical students, residents, and physicians while continuing to provide compassionate patient care around the world.

Lavonne Johnston, PA is a certified master’s level Physician Assistant and has worked in several specialties through her career. She retired from clinical medicine in 2017 after working her final 10 years in Gastroenterology and then taught Health Sciences as an Adjunct Professor at Lancaster Bible College until 2024. Lavonne serves as a board member of the Albania Health Fund and the Johnston Hope Foundation and has led mission trips from her church to support the Illyricum Movement in Albania. She continues to be involved in church women’s ministries and loves keeping up with her three married children and nine grandchildren, along with hiking and traveling.

Christi Park Riley, PT, DPT, OCS, CFMT has been practicing physical therapy for over 29 years in the outpatient setting. She graduated from Chapman University in Orange, CA with her Masters in Physical Therapy in 1997. As a result, she then went on to pursue her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Western University of Allied Health Sciences in Pomona, CA in 2002. Consequently, she spent an entire year in a Manual Therapy based Residency program and possesses extensive certifications and experience in Functional Integrative Manual Therapy, Vestibular Rehab, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, Cranio-Temporal Mandibular Dysfunctions, and Sports Rehab. In addition, she is Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist, Certified Athletic Trainer, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Certified Pilates Instructor, Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist, Certified Dry Needling Specialist and Certified Clinical Instructor. In her spare time, Christi enjoys traveling and experiencing different cultures and is often considered a “foody”. She lives for outdoor activities including skiing, golf, volleyball, soccer, pickle ball and hiking. Additionally, she loves singing and playing drums. She feels grateful to be able to share her life with her husband and two beautiful daughters.

Joshua Evans, MD, FAAP is a board-certified pediatrician in private practice in Southeast Michigan. He attended medical school at Wayne State University School of Medicine and completed his residency at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, where he remained on staff for 10 years and was highly involved in student and resident education. He continues to educate as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Michigan State University. He also serves as one of the pastors at Bethesda Baptist Church in Allen Park, Michigan. Joshua is married to Dr. Hannah Evans and they have two children. He has served in several short-term missions, including The Gambia, Bangladesh, Spain, China, and several trips to Albania.

Dr. Mary L. Kwok is a board-certified hematologist-oncologist with a distinguished career in both military and civilian medical practice. She earned her Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of Washington in 2001, followed by her Doctor of Medicine degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) in Bethesda, Maryland, in 2006. Dr. Kwok completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and pursued fellowship training in Hematology-Oncology at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. She has held significant roles, including serving as a staff physician in Hematology-Oncology at Walter Reed and as the Director of the Hematology-Oncology Fellowship Training Program at the National Capital Consortium. Throughout her career, Dr. Kwok has been recognized for her excellence in teaching and patient care. She received the James J. Leonard Award for Excellence in Teaching Internal Medicine from USUHS in 2014 and was honored as the Military Treatment Facility Teacher of the Year by the U.S. Army Chapter of the American College of Physicians in 2019. In addition to her clinical and teaching responsibilities, Dr. Kwok has a strong commitment to global health. She has been actively involved with the Albanian Health Fund since 2016, participating in medical missions and educational initiatives aimed at improving healthcare services in Albania. Dr. Kwok’s dedication to advancing medical education and patient care, both domestically and internationally, underscores her invaluable contributions to the Albanian Health Fund and the broader medical community.

Greg Chandler, MD, is originally from East Tennessee. He received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee, Memphis and completed his general surgery residency at the same institution. He completed his plastic surgery residency at Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He served as a plastic surgeon in the US Air Force at both Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington and Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. He is currently in private practice with the Plastic Surgery Group of Memphis where he primarily performs reconstructive plastic surgery with specific interests in breast reconstruction and wound care. He is a clinical professor with the Plastic Surgery Department at the University of Tennessee.

Eugene Smith, MD, retired from cardiology practice in 2025. His 33-year career included service as the program director for the UAMS Cardiology Fellowship Program, as Professor of Medicine at UAMS, and as Chief of Medicine at 2 VA Medical Centers. He currently is Adjunct Professor at the Alice Walton School of Medicine. Eugene has participated in a wide variety of medical missions across the world over the last 35 years. He made his first trip to Albania in 2015.

Rudolph Oehm, M.D., Emeritus AHF Board member Dr. Oehm graduated from SUNY Buffalo School of Medicine after serving in the USAF and completed his training at Boston City Hospital. He is board certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular diseases and a Fellow of The American College of Cardiology. He served as a staff physician at Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, he has made medical missions to Honduras, Dominican Republic, and Mexico, and teaching trips to Kenya, Malaysia, Thailand, Kosovo, and Albania. He is now retired from medical practice.

Dr. Alva B. Weir III, MD is a hematologist and oncologist in Memphis, Tennessee, with more than 48 years of medical experience. He earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine and completed his residency in internal medicine there, followed by a fellowship in hematology and medical oncology at the University of Alabama Medical Center. His career has included both private practice and academic medicine, including service at Baptist Memorial Hospital, Methodist Healthcare, and 14 years in private practice at the West Clinic in Memphis. From 2005 to 2008, Dr. Weir served with the Christian Medical & Dental Associations (CMDA) as Vice President of Campus & Community Ministries. He currently is Professor of Medicine and Program Director of the Hematology and Oncology Fellowship at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Dr. Weir has a longstanding commitment to medical missions, including two years in Nigeria and ongoing work in Albania. He is the author of When Your Doctor Has Bad News and Whispers, and a regular contributor to CMDA devotional resources.

John W. Gillan, D.D.S, M.S. holds a specialty certificate and masters degree in Endodontics. He was in private practice in Mesa, Arizona and is a past president of the Arizona Endodontic Association. John has served with our team in Albania since 1994. He and his wife, Cindy, have served several times with a medical/dental team in Cameroon, Africa since 2005. He has also served on teams in Romania and Kosova. He is now retired from clinical practice.