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Ines Allen - President, Director
For over 25 years, Inés has dedicated herself to improving access to medical care for underserved and vulnerable communities worldwide. As the founder of “IMAHelps” (originally “International Medical Alliance,” established in California in 2000), Inés organized short-term medical missions to countries such as Ecuador, Peru, Haiti, China, India, Paraguay, El Salvador, and Mexico. Under her leadership, over 100,000 patients received free medical care from teams of compassionate volunteers she personally recruited and inspired.
In 2022, Inés stepped down as the leader of IMAHelps, earning the honorary title of Founder & Chairwoman Emeritus. In 2023, she and her husband launched IMAHELPS ECUADOR a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization based in South Dakota. Through IMAHELPS ECUADOR, Inés continues her mission of providing medical care and humanitarian aid to improve the health, wellness, and quality of life of vulnerable populations in Ecuador. These efforts focus on sustainable relief programs delivered by dedicated volunteer teams through short-term medical missions.
In recognition of her work, the Metropolitan Council of Quito, Ecuador, awarded Inés the “Manuela Cañizares” Decoration in 2023 during the Solemn Commemorative Session for the 489th anniversary of Quito’s founding, honoring her contributions to defending human rights.
Inés holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Design from Otis Parsons School of Design in Los Angeles, California.
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Nina K. Maw Maw M.D. -Vice President, Director
Born and raised in Myanmar, Dr. Maw Maw carries a deep-rooted belief in kindness, compassion, and Buddhist principles that emphasize mindfulness and service to others. These values shape her role as Vice President and Director of IMAHELPS ECUADOR. With a lifelong dedication to service, she helps bring life-changing medical care to underserved communities worldwide.
As a seasoned board-certified family physician, healthcare leader, and avid traveler, Dr. Maw Maw combines professional expertise with heartfelt commitment to advance IMAHELPS ECUADOR’s mission. Whether through strategic planning or hands-on involvement in medical missions, her work reflects a profound desire to make the world a healthier and more equitable place.
Outside of her efforts with IMAHELPS ECUADOR, Dr. Maw Maw cherishes sunsets, music that inspires the soul, and has a deep appreciation for poetry. Grounded in Buddhist teachings, she strives to live a life of purpose and compassion, leaving the world a little better than she found it.
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Tracey D. Allen - Secretary/ Treasurer, Director
For over two decades, Tracey D. Allen has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to improving access to medical care for underserved communities around the world. As the Vice President and Co-Founder of IMAHelps (originally founded as International Medical Alliance in 2000), Tracey played a pivotal role in assisting the President in organizing short-term medical missions that brought essential healthcare to countries including Ecuador, Peru, Haiti, China, India, Paraguay, El Salvador, and Mexico.
Under Tracey’s leadership alongside the organization's founder, IMAHelps grew into a renowned nonprofit, mobilizing compassionate teams of volunteers to provide free medical care to over 100,000 patients globally. Tracey's expertise assisting with the logistics, recruiting skilled professionals, and fostering collaboration made these missions impactful, offering not only medical aid but also hope to vulnerable populations.
In addition to Tracey's dedication to humanitarian work, he has cultivated a distinguished career as a Licensed Private Investigator, specializing in confidential investigations for criminal, civil, and business matters. This professional expertise complements his passion for advocacy and problem-solving, further solidifying Tracey's reputation as a dynamic and principled leader.
Through the newly created nonprofit, IMAHELPS ECUADOR, Tracey continues to embody a spirit of service and excellence in all endeavors, making a meaningful difference in communities both near and far.
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Beatriz Olinda Lopez Lemos - Director
With a degree in Civil Engineering from the Central University of Ecuador, Beatriz transitioned her career to the field of computer science, revalidating my knowledge to become a Programmer Analyst. In this capacity, she has worked as the National Counterpart for the Ecuadorian Government in the Technical Directorate of the International BID-IICA-MAG Program. Her commitment to social service began when she was selected by the Israeli Government to train in Agricultural Technology Transfer Techniques, sparking a lifelong dedication to improving the lives of the most vulnerable in my country.
Throughout her career, Beatriz has held various public and private positions, always driven by the goal of enhancing quality of life. In public service, she served as the Hospital Administrator for the Patronato de Latacunga and as a Project Evaluator for the Embassy of Japan. In the private sector, she held management-level roles at Banco del Pichincha, Banco Aserval, and served as Assistant to the President at international companies such as Medicamenta Tecnopharma Divital, and Rondón International.
Beatriz is a life member and a member of the Board of Delegates/Directors of the Sociedad Funeraria Nacional, a philanthropic organization established 163 years ago in Quito. Its mission is to provide dignified funeral services to those in need, funded by offering premium services to those who can afford them.
For over 20 years, Beatriz has voluntarily supported the free medical brigades organized by the North American nonprofit created by Inés Allen. Her work spans technical, operational, and administrative aspects, all driven by the desire to bring hope and improve the quality of life for those in need. In 2023, she was asked to join the Board as a Director with IMAHELPS ECUADOR.
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María José Schurjin, M.D. , Director
Mg.Sc. MJ Schurjin, MD, grew up in a Quito family with an altruistic tradition, which has taught empathy and solidarity with the less fortunate by example. Since she was little, she has participated in charity campaigns, these being her inspiration for her decision to study Medicine. During her training as a surgeon, she has been able to witness the needs of her compatriots when seeking care for their health problems due to the lack of resources in public hospitals, which are normally saturated. She has trained in the area of Pain Therapy following an international master's degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine with a mention in Acupuncture and Phytotherapy, as well as in the area of Nutrition and Dietetics through an international diploma. Besides being asked to Join the Board of IMAHELPS ECUADOR, She also the Director of the IMAHELPS ECUADOR’s Medical Clinic located in Quito, Ecuador.