Signs of Hope: Leo Legasse, M.D.

“I'm sure Leo's religion has lot to do with his exceptional caring help. However, if Leo were an agnostic, I think he would still be doing this work.”

For the past 10 years Dr. Leo Lagasse, retired professor of medicine at UCLA, gynecologist and oncologist, has voluntarily worked with Medicine for Humanity, a medical ministry of which he is one of the founders, to bring modern medical help to poor women in developing nations of the world. In these nations, medical help for men is meager, for women it is virtually non-existent.

He is the sole survivor in the work of the founding partners. Others have ceased active participation for health reasons, due to burn out, or because they have simply exhausted most of their financial resources. Dr. Lagasse and the other doctors involved meet many of the expenses of their vital work personally.

Leo Lagasse is a very active and committed Catholic, a member of Our Lady of Malibu Parish in Malibu, CA. His religion is clearly the motivating force for this ministry, although a neighbor, while recognizing this fact said, "I'm sure Leo's religion has a lot to do with his exceptional caring help. However, if Leo were an agnostic, I think he would still be doing this work."

Dr. Gautam Chaudhuri, chair of gynecology and obstetrics at UCLA, a man who grew up in Calcutta, India, helps Leo direct this work. He recruits medical residents in womens' health to give their time and expertise for trips to developing nations every two to three months. In the beginning of this effort the medical residents had unreal expectations of conditions in developing nations, and they complained loudly about working and living conditions. Finally, the directors told them to stop complaining and face up to reality if they chose to continue in this work. They responded positively and have continued, although the work is very stressful.

Currently, operating in Africa, and Pakisan (where they have helped many Afghan women) Dr. Lagasse believes Medicine for Humanity is offering a model for helping people in Third World countries. It is a rotational model of doctors and health care professionals and a partnership involving the UCLA medical school and the government of the 3rd world countries, such as Eritrea, Africa. Finances for the project are provided by the doctors of UCLA from their salaries, the doctors and health care professionals who take part i the program, and private donors.

Many of the women they help, in turn, help others to change things. Leo believes Medicine for Humanity is exposing the poor of the world to a better choice. It is a remarkable ministry and Dr. Leo. Lagasse is a remarkable Catholic individual.