By Andrew Stinson, student news writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Dr. Eugene Shively, a surgeon from Taylor Regional Hospital, discussed his many medical mission trips at Campbellsville University’s chapel service recently.
Shively has aided in many medical missions during his years as a doctor. He visited Cameroon in 2000; Jamaica three times during 2001 and 2002; Togo, a part of West Africa, in 2003; Kenya in 2005; St. Vincent’s Island and the Grenadines, located in the Caribbean Sea, in 2006 and the Galápagos Islands in 2007.
The Medical Missions Conference meets the first weekend in November each year at Southeast Christian Church, located in Louisville, Ky. Approximately 1,000 people will attend the three-day session ready for medical education and spiritual renewal.
During the presentation, Shively showed many images of surgeries he had been a part of during his time spent working with missions. Photos that were shown ranged from tumor removals, amputated legs, gun shot wounds to the face and a photo of a miscarriage of an 8-week old fetus.
Shively spoke of the Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS). It is their goal to train 100 surgeons by the year 2,020. There have been seven graduates. The group wants to train surgeons in their home countries as well, because it is harder to move a surgeon to these unstable countries when they study in America. There are seven hospitals around the world with these training programs.
During Shively’s most recent excursion to the Galápagos Islands in 2007, there were 79 surgeries and 174 people having dental work done. Over 1,255 people were treated during the mission trip, but most importantly to Shively is that 230 people came to know Christ during his stay.
Shively referred to Matthew 28:19 when he said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit.” Shively said he lives his life by this verse.
Shively and his family have many connections with Campbellsville University. In the 1930s, his grandfather was a chairman of the Board of Trustees. Both his father and mother received their associate’s degrees from CU and his mother went on to receive her bachelor of arts degree from CU as well.
Shively is the son of Virginia Shively of Campbellsville and the late Eugene Shively. His grandfather was the late Alexander Shively.
Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 2,405 students who represent 98 Kentucky counties, 25 states and 29 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News& World Report’s 2008 “America’s Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 22nd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South and eighth in the South for “Great Schools, Great Prices.” CU has been ranked 15 consecutive years with U.S.News& World Report. The university has also been named to America’s Best Christian Colleges®. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his ninth year as president.