‘I just couldn’t stay home’

Volunteer Anesthesia Team Leader Josefin Tapper is marking her eighth time serving with Mercy Ships. Originally from Sweden, Josefin first joined the crew in 2015. It felt like she’d finally found a way to fulfill a long-held hope. 

“I’d always dreamed about doing some kind of mission work or volunteer work, but my image was working out in a very remote area somewhere, and that was not my dream,” she said. “So, when I heard about a hospital ship where everything would be kind of similar to home, I thought, ‘That sounds like a good environment to start, and we’ll see where we go from there.’” 

Her role as an anesthetic assistant and now anesthesia team leader has led her to each of Mercy Ships’ vessels, the Africa Mercy and the Global Mercy. On board, she uses her medical skills to deliver life-changing anesthesia to patients seeking safe surgical care.  

“I keep coming back to Mercy Ships because I see the need in the countries where we serve,” she said. “I see the need for both patients, but also for professionals, to have mentoring and a chance to be equipped to do their work to their best ability.” 

This year, for her eighth time serving with Mercy Ships, Josefin is working on board the Global Mercy in Sierra Leone. 

“Once you’ve seen the inequality between the countries where I come from versus the access to healthcare (in sub-Saharan Africa), I just couldn’t go home. I couldn’t stay home,” she said. “I had to come back and keep working on just making the countries we work in a better place for both patients and healthcare professionals.” 

Why Anesthesia Matters 

Anesthesia is crucial for safe surgeries and medical procedures, which are vital for reducing rates of preventable deaths and complications. Many countries in the region face a shortage of trained anesthesiologists and equipment, making anesthesia services a critical area of need. Improving access to safe anesthesia can significantly enhance maternal health, trauma care, and overall surgical outcomes, contributing to better public health. 

“We keep the patient safe; we monitor how they are doing, that they are comfortable during surgery, and we make sure they wake up safe on the other side,” Josefin explained. 

In Sierra Leone, many hospitals lack functional anesthesia equipment. Frequent power outages and inadequate sterilization facilities further compromise patient safety and surgical outcomes. These challenges lead to delays in care, reduced surgical capacity, and an increased risk of complications during and after surgery. 

Building a Legacy 

In light of these startling statistics, Josefin likes being part of a team that’s working to improve anesthetic care. 

“One of the most satisfying parts of my job is seeing the team come together in the operating room — the surgeon, the operating runners, the anesthesia team, together with our translators — to provide safe care for our patients,” she said. 

Josefin said it’s also satisfying to witness the transformation that happens during surgery. 

“We physically see patients receiving healing on the operating room table, and we are part of facilitating that and bringing the patient safely out of it,” Josefin said.  

When she’s not working in the operating room, Josefin loves interacting with the community on board the Global Mercy, reading books, listening to podcasts, using the gym, and singing in her worship group. On board with Mercy Ships, she’s found a home that’s worth coming back to over and over. 

“I always wanted to use my skills and my life to serve God and to bless other people,” she said. “I think my faith in that way really prompted me to go.” 

It’s something like a “calling,” she said. 

“I don’t know if that’s a strong word, but just this need and want to do something that is bigger than myself, and that can serve other people,” Josefin said. “For me, I think the motivation is a lot of serving others, and loving God by serving others.” 

At the end of the day, Josefin wants to be remembered for the work she is doing that is bigger than herself. Not just providing direct patient care, but also engaging with in-country medical professionals who can take the reins and provide safe, affordable, and quality healthcare for their fellow citizens. 

“We want to get to a place where the patients don’t even need to come to the ship because the healthcare they need can be offered in their country already,” she said. “So, for Mercy Ships to build relationships with hospitals, with universities, and for us as staff on board to be able to mentor and have these connections — I think that is even bigger than the change we can see in individual patients. I think that’s where we will reach hope and healing for these countries in the long run.” 

Do you want to find your place on board like Josefin? Mercy Ships needs skilled medical volunteers, along with people from many other backgrounds like HR, accounting, and cooking! Learn more about serving with Mercy Ships and look through open volunteer positions.