• UCLA Health
  • myUCLAhealth
  • School of Medicine
U Magazine

U Magazine

U Magazine
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Centennial Campaign for UCLA Issue
  • Browse U Magazine
  • Letters to the Editor
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • UCLA Health
  • myUCLAhealth
  • School of Medicine

U Magazine

Browse U Magazine

  1. Home
  2. Browse U Magazine
Share this
Alumni

In Her Own Words: Laura Pacha, MD ’98

Laura Pacha, MD ’98, is a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army. She serves as manager of the Disease Epidemiology Program in the Army Public Health Command, located at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. On April 4, 2007, Dr. Pacha sent an email from Iraq, where she was deployed, to the UCLA Medical Alumni Association (MAA,) which became the inspiration for a program to collect medical texts for medical school libraries in war-torn areas of the Middle East. The program was recognized as a Daily Point of Light in 2009.

It’s exciting, and even overwhelming, as I reflect on what has happened since I emailed the MAA during my deployment in Iraq six years ago. From my request, the MAA created Books Without Borders, which is now known as Operation Medical Libraries (OML). Scrolling through the OML blog entries literally brings tears to my eyes. The postings represent a truly grassroots effort and reflect the generosity of so many — from an 18-year-old student who wants to become a doctor to corporate and university support.

OML’s continued success in providing medical books and other support to under-resourced, even war-torn, medical facilities and schools around the world shows how individuals coming together can do amazing things and assist those in need — a welcome contrast to the events that typically make international news. I am filled with tremendous pride and appreciation for the MAA. Six years later, the project continues to send books overseas. To date, medical-education resources valued at some $2.5 million have been donated and distributed to 20 countries. OML has exceeded my expectations.

It has been said that the pen is mightier than the sword. OML is certainly one example of the truth in that statement. On behalf of the patients and practitioners who have benefited from this program, I offer my sincere thanks and appreciation to all those in the UCLA medical enterprise who have embraced this effort.

For more information, go to the OML blog: operationmedicallibraries.blogspot.com


Previous
In Memoriam
Next
Postcard from Tijuana, Mexico


YOU ARE VIEWING

Fall 2013

Fall 2013
Printable PDF
IN THIS ISSUE
  • Too Small to Fail
  • Simple Screening Catches Newborn’s Hidden Heart Condition
  • Antihistamines May Pose Risk to Women with Severe Morning Sickness
  • Why Alzheimer’s Meds Rarely Help
  • New Clues to Cause of Human Narcolepsy
  • Exercise after School to Stay Fit
  • Stem-Cell Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Advances Toward Clinical Trials
  • WALL-E, Meet EVA: Robo-doc Navigates on Its Own
  • Fat Chance: Scientists Accidently Discover Stress-Resistant Stem Cells in Adipose Tissue
  • Doctor-Patient Communication about Dietary Supplements Could Use a Vitamin Boost
  • New Learning Center Will Expand School's Capabilities
  • Nadereh Pourat, PhD
  • Faith & Healing
  • Live from L.A.
  • Joint Liability
  • Mulitasker
  • Awards/Honors
  • In Memoriam
  • In Her Own Words: Laura Pacha, MD ’98
  • Postcard from Tijuana, Mexico
  • In His Own Words: A Kidney for Francie
  • From Officer to Civilian
  • Golden Portal Awards
  • Awards/Honors
  • Events
  • Chairs of Distinction
  • Gifts
  • In Memoriam
  • Patient, Advocate for Thyself
Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter Subscribe to Our Videos on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Connect with Us on LinkedIn Follow us on Pinterest
UCLA Health hospitals ranked best hospitals by U.S. News & World Report
  • UCLA Health
  • Find a Doctor
  • School of Medicine
  • School of Nursing
  • UCLA Campus
  • Directory
  • Newsroom
  • Subscribe
  • Patient Stories
  • Giving
  • Careers
  • Volunteer
  • International Services
  • Privacy Practices
  • Nondiscrimination
  • Billing
  • Health Plans
  • Emergency
  • Report Broken Links
  • Terms of Use
  • 1-310-825-2631
  • Maps & Directions
  • Contact Us
  • Your Feedback
  • Report Misconduct
  • Get Social
  • Sitemap
Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter Subscribe to Our Videos on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Connect with Us on LinkedIn Follow us on Pinterest

Sign in to myUCLAhealth

Learn more about myUCLAhealth