Local emergency physician goes worldwide to improve lives
At the young age of just 33,
Jonathan Babbitt, MD, has spent time on all but one of the world’s continents – and at some point, a visit to Antarctica will make it all seven.
For Dr. Babbitt, who works as an ER physician at Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital, the distant travels have had a common goal: To provide care to people who otherwise would not have access to medical treatments. He’s served hundreds of patients in Mexico, Nepal, Zambia, Chad, Guatemala and Borneo.
“I began making medical trips during high school and continued through medical school, as well as residency,” says Dr. Babbitt. “It’s rewarding to do something so worthwhile.”
Dr. Babbitt’s life has been so influenced by his travels that he actually learned of the ER opening with Samaritan while working in Africa. Another doctor on the trip who had done some of his medical student training at the Samaritan Health Services’ hospital told Dr. Babbitt of the position -- , mentioning that many physicians from the coastal hospital do ongoing mission work.
“I was really drawn to North Lincoln by the number of docs doing mission work,” says Dr. Babbitt. “The hospital is flexible and it’s great to be supported in this work. I plan on doing much more.”
With a brand new baby, Dr. Babbitt will stay close to home with his wife for the near future. “We love it here on the coast,” he says. “I enjoy waking up and looking at water. My wife supported me all through medical school and residency. While my priorities are to be here for my family now, I look forward to more medical trips in the future.”