Austin Samaritans has served the people of Nicaragua.

We focus on three key areas.

• Education in the form of helping support two schools that offer education and encouragement in a Christian environment. 

• Healthcare in the form of helping support a clinic serving one of the poorest areas of Managua, another clinic providing screening and treatment of breast and cervical cancer for women of limited means, and a dental clinic serving an impoverished area.  We also connect U.S. doctors and other healthcare workers with their Nicaraguan counterparts for the purpose of sharing knowledge and expertise.

• Support for the vulnerable in a program that lifts at-risk girls out of a cycle of poverty, and sexual abuse by providing physical, emotional, spiritual, and educational support.

John Doty, MD Founder

John Doty, Founder, first participated on a medical mission trip at the invitation of his brother, Jim, in the spring of 1989. For the first time John confronted degrading poverty. He examined emaciated children with rotted teeth and hair a rusty color due to malnutrition. He saw serious untreated diseases causing significant disabilities. Unable to walk away, he decided he needed to be part of the solution. Over the years, John continued to participate in medical mission trips while continuing his medical oncology practice in Austin. Over time more and more folks joined the effort and Austin Samaritans was formed in March 2007. Austin Samaritans quickly grew far beyond what could be accomplished in a few hours each week. The choice was to keep Austin Samaritans small or to let it grow to what God intended by committing much more time and effort. In February 2008, John closed his medical practice to become a full-time volunteer for Austin Samaritans.