Southeastern Medical International began in January of 2005, when Randy Shell was in Sri Lanka doing disaster relief following the December 26th tsunami. Witnessing such devastation, Randy dreamed of putting together teams to provide medical care around the world. Within months of returning home, he resigned from the Calvary Baptist Church of Florence where he had served for 11 years and began organizing Southeastern Medical International, Inc..

At the very same time, Dr. Ralph Shealy was having a similar experience in Sri Lanka. He too had a desire to do medical missions. Ralph’s team leader, Howard Murphy, was a friend of Randy’s and the first board member for SMI. When Ralph and Howard hit the ground in Atlanta they called Randy. Howard told Randy, “I think I have found us a doctor!” With the help of the newly formed board, a Chief Medical Officer and others, Southeastern Medical International, Inc. was born.

Our heart is to help people who are in need of medical care, whether in times of disaster or not, all over the world. We take teams comprised of medical and non-medical people to the neediest places on Earth. We have a love of people and want to give a life-changing experience to our volunteers as well as to the people we serve. Our purpose is to share the Gospel of Jesus to a lost world using medicine as the platform!!

SMI also collects medical equipment and supplies from hospitals and doctors’ offices. We ship these materials to third world countries where there is great need. Additionally, we work with hospitals and organizations overseas to train workers in disaster relief.

Most recently with the COVID-19 pandemic we have been unable to travel overseas. With the desire to share the gospel through medicine the Lord is opening up opportunities for us to work with the homeless (many of which are veterans)and needy throughout South Carolina. Partnering with local churches and free medical clinics we were able to do health screenings with the needy. With the blessing of SCDHEC our vision is to start small medical teams throughout every county in South Carolina reaching the homeless and needy with the Gospel of Jesus Christ