KENNETH W. EVELAND MD, FACS

MEDICAL DIRECTOR

With a lifelong dedication to learning and service, Dr. Ken Eveland, aka Dr. E, has carved out a distinguished career that spans the fields of science, military service, and medicine. His academic pursuits laid a strong foundation, beginning with an undergraduate degree in Biology, followed by graduate studies in Biological Oceanography, and culminating in earning his MD.​

Dr. E’s commitment to serving others took a disciplined turn when he joined the US Army, where he served as a Lieutenant in Field Artillery. This experience honed his leadership skills and instilled a profound sense of duty that would later influence his medical career.

Dr. E specialized in General Surgery, a field he describes as his avocation. For over two decades, he led successful surgical practices in Washington state and later brought his expertise to northeast Texas. His dedication to patient care made a lasting impact on countless lives.

Beyond his practice, Dr. E found a calling in global health. As a Board Member, Medical Director, and active participant in a Texas-based medical mission organization, he embarked on more than 100 short-term medical missions over 18 years, focusing his efforts on improving health outcomes in Guatemala.

Embracing a new chapter in 2023, Dr. E transitioned his resources and experience to become a founder and Medical Director at Onda Health. His vision for global health and wellness continues to guide his path, as he seeks to innovate and expand access to quality healthcare. Dr. E’s remarkable journey is a testament to his unwavering commitment to education, service, and the betterment of human health.

WHY I BELIEVE IN THIS ENDEAVOR…

“Eighteen years ago, God gave me a heart for Guatemala and her most medically disadvantaged citizens. He hasn’t changed His mind, nor mine. During that time, I have served in multiple capacities with a non-profit based in northeast Texas, doing short-term medical missions in three different locations. Each at least three times per year. One of those communities is Purulhá, Baja Verapaz.  Medical missions, or “jornadas,” are conducted either in a public school or in the gymnasium in the community’s sports complex, depending on availability, since there is no health facility available to visiting mission teams.

Purulhá is physically remote and medically isolated, with no local clinical laboratory or radiology services. The nearest national hospital is at least 90 minutes away.  In the Fall of last year, several tenured medical volunteers (including myself) and former mission administrators founded Onda Health, a 501c3 organization, to build a health facility in Purulhá to better provide for the medical needs of that service area in an affordable and sustainable manner. Although I continue to serve in Purulhá and one other community with my previous organization, my energies and resources are focused on the ultimate success of Onda Health and our mission in Purulhá.  I am privileged to be just one part of this effort.”