The women in white coats who are making history
In honor of International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the female clinicians worldwide who join us to bridge access to treatment for their patients.
Physicians are an essential part of our work. We partner with more than 500 healthcare professionals who provide cancer treatment in low- and middle-income countries. They volunteer to be in our program, caring for people in need on top of their regular schedule.
Dr. Mipsang Lama is a perfect example – he goes above and beyond for his patients. He partnered with The Max Foundation in July 2023. In addition to treating diseases like chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and providing personalized care, Dr. Mipsang is an active participant in Patient Support Group Meetings.
Born in Nepal, he attended school in Kathmandu and Bhairahawa and specializes in internal medicine and clinical hematology. Dr. Mipsang is also an assistant professor at the Patan Academy of Health Sciences, as well as a husband and father to two sons.
Education is a priority for Dr. Mipsang. He wants the 77 active patients under his care to fully understand their diagnosis so they can make informed decisions about their treatment. He offers counseling and support and is readily available for emergencies.
This extends to Patient Support Group Meetings as well. Dr. Mipsang gives presentations on the entire process, from diagnosis to transitional care. He also takes time to meet with Max team members, sharing ideas for strengthening our program and reaching more patients. Dr. Mipsang’s dedication is making a real difference in the lives of people living with cancer in Nepal.

The Max Foundation is a leading global health nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating health equity. For 28 years, Max has pioneered practical, scalable, high-quality solutions to bring life-extending treatments and patient-centered health care to more than 100,000 people living with cancer and critical illness in low- and middle-income countries. Max believes in a world where all people can access high-impact medicines, where geography is not destiny, and where everyone can strive for health with dignity and with hope.

When Ka came to Thailand for access to treatment, she had the chance to join the MaxSmiles patient group meetings. Ka started to dream about having her own meetings and soon found support from Dr. Mary Cluck, an Australian volunteer working with Cambodian CML patients. Ka stepped up and called the patients one-by-one to invite them to their first patient meeting.

Three years ago I made a decision that changed my life: to donate my birthday to support the work of The Max Foundation for as long as I have birthdays to come. Ever since I have been involved with The Max Foundation, every day I am witness to the courage of people faced with cancer, the generosity of spirit of those who become patient leaders, and the dedication of healthcare providers around the world. Join me today by honoring their efforts on my birthday, July 28th.