Don Stephens

Founder at Mercy Ships

Don Stephens is the founder of Mercy Ships, an international charity that operates hospital ships to provide free medical care to underserved populations, primarily in Africa. Established in 1978 alongside his wife, Deyon, Mercy Ships has since treated millions of patients and contributed significantly to healthcare systems in developing countries.

Background and Education

Education: Don holds a bachelor's degree from Bethany University and has been recognized as a Distinguished Alumni by Colorado Mesa University. He also serves as a trustee at LeTourneau University.1 4
Early Career: Before founding Mercy Ships, he worked with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) as a director for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa from 1972 to 1984.1

Mercy Ships

Founding Vision: Inspired by the need for accessible healthcare and motivated by personal experiences, including the birth of his disabled son and encounters with humanitarian figures like Mother Teresa, Don envisioned a floating hospital to deliver medical services efficiently to coastal cities.2 3
Operations: Mercy Ships operates a fleet of hospital ships that have provided services valued at over $1 billion. The organization focuses on surgical care, healthcare education, and community development projects.2 3
Achievements: Under Don's leadership, Mercy Ships has performed over 117,000 free surgeries and trained hundreds of thousands of healthcare professionals in host nations.2 3 The organization's latest vessel, the Global Mercy, was launched in 2019, enhancing its capacity for medical outreach.1

Recognition

Don Stephens has received numerous awards for his humanitarian work, including:

Humanitarian of the Year by Variety International in 2008.
An honorary doctorate from Gordon College in 2017.
A nomination for the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal in 2017.1 4

Personal Life

Don resides in Lindale, Texas, with his wife Deyon. They have four children and are active members of their local church community.4

His leadership at Mercy Ships exemplifies a commitment to serving the world's most vulnerable populations through innovative approaches to healthcare delivery.