Raymond Plank recently reunited with Dr. William T. Close, 65 years after their first encounter in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Dr. Close spent 16 years practicing medicine in Africa during the country's most trying times. Through him, we have learned of the daily struggles to provide medical care in some of the poorest nations in the world. Dr. Close inspired Apache board members to develop a new initiative, aptly named the W.T. Close Fund for Teaching Nurses to honor the doctor's great humanitarian efforts.

The program will send talented U.S.-trained nursing educators to poor countries for six to eight weeks, enabling them to immerse themselves in the education system of the host country creating a two-way learning environment that will be valuable for the educators and the students.

Apache has donated the funds to launch this new initiative. As with any new venture, this program will need financial support to grow. If you are interested in joining us, please call (800) 705-6410 or (713) 296-7490 or e-mail info@wtclosefundforteachingnurses.org.