Dr. Kaaren Olesen , Director
Email: olesendo@msn.com

I was born and raised in small towns in Iowa, but have always been called to issues of the world: the underserved -- locally and internationally, and environmental conservation.  My undergraduate education started at Boston University and then returned home to Iowa at Des Moines University where I received my degrees in Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and a Masters of Science in Health Care Administration.  After approximately 18 years as an Atheist, God spoke to me and I returned to my Christian faith and, using my acquired skills, immediately involved myself in Christian medical mission work in Ghana through Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines, IA. During that work, I met a starving nine-month old orphan in Ghana whom later became my second son after a long and arduous process.  I was then lead to become involved with Cornerstone of Hope and intend to lend medical care to the orphans in Nigeria.   

My adopted son, Moses, joins an older brother, Hans, my husband, Jamie, and a houseful of animals.  In my spare time, I love to read, swim, play with the kids, and teach medical students.