Finding EXTRAordinary in the Ordinary

Ian Cole, MD, is a practicing emergency medicine physician at CaroMont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia, North Carolina.

Reason for Service
Dr. Cole volunteered on a medical mission to Kabala, a rural town in Sierra Leone, West Africa, where visiting clinicians provided care to residents in surrounding farming and cattle communities with limited access to healthcare.

Sierra Leone faces significant healthcare challenges, including limited infrastructure, supply shortages, and an estimated ratio of one physician for every 11,000 residents.

Community Impact
As one of four American-trained physicians, Dr. Cole helped provide care to more than 600 patients over the course of the mission. The team performed physical exams, addressed acute concerns, and provided health education, with a focus on chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.

Medications including treatments for blood pressure, diabetes, malaria, infections, and allergies were distributed at no cost. For many in the community, this was a rare opportunity to receive care directly from a physician.

EXTRAordinary Care

For Dr. Cole, this mission was deeply personal. Born in Sierra Leone, he lived there until age 16 and has returned frequently over the years. Witnessing the challenges within the healthcare system inspired him to take action, including collecting and shipping donated medical supplies and equipment to local hospitals for more than a decade to help address critical resource gaps.

During the mission, long days and limited resources required adaptability, resilience, and a focus on what mattered most, caring for patients. The experience reinforced that meaningful impact does not always require advanced resources but often begins with simply showing up and caring.

One moment stayed with him. Late on the final evening, hours after the clinic had closed, an elderly patient quietly thanked Dr. Cole, expressing his gratitude for coming to a community that rarely has the chance to see a physician. The encounter reinforced Dr. Cole’s commitment, reminding him of why he became a doctor, even after long, exhausting days caring for patients.

Reflecting on the experience, Dr. Cole shared, “At times it is easy to lose insight into why we do what we do, especially in the high-pressure ED environment. But a trip like this rekindled my passion for medicine and reinforced that what we do truly matters. Medicine should always be a force for good, serving others with compassion and purpose.”

Experiences like this remind us why we do what we do: to serve others, bring hope, and make a real difference. Whether volunteering abroad, helping in our communities, or supporting those around us every day, every act of care matters.

“Dr. Cole’s story is a powerful reminder of why we chose this profession. His willingness to serve others, no matter the setting, reflects a deep sense of compassion and purpose. We are proud to have clinicians who carry that commitment into every community they touch.”

Yogin Patel, MD, MBA, FACEP

Chief Executive Officer

Hospital Partner

A modern hospital building with a white facade, surrounded by landscaped gardens and a curved driveway. Clear sky and trees in the background.

CaroMont Regional Medical Center, is a licensed 435-bed acute care hospital with all private rooms and a 46-bed emergency department. Located just 25 minutes west of Charlotte, North Carolina, Gastonia offers residents a mix of small-town charm and big-city amenities, with outdoor activities, cultural attractions, and historic sites nearby.