RiverBend Physicians Raise Funds for Nepal Flood Relief
Fifteen caregivers are organizing aid following a deadly avalanche and glacier collapse in Nepal that began on August 26.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Philanthropy
Live Poll
Do you feel a personal responsibility to donate to international disaster relief efforts?
Fifteen physicians at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend are raising funds to support recovery efforts in Nepal. The initiative follows a catastrophic rock-ice avalanche and glacier collapse on August 26 that resulted in significant casualties.
Why it matters
The fundraising group, which includes doctors with direct ties to the region, aims to assist communities devastated by a disaster that has left thousands missing. Many of the caregivers are working to support friends and family members impacted by the flooding.
The fifteen participating physicians are part of a larger network of 3,200 total clinicians across PeaceHealth, which operates 160 clinics and nine medical centers. The disaster has claimed 1,400 lives and left 5,000 people missing.
The players
PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend
This facility is a major medical center located in Springfield, Oregon, where the group of fifteen physicians is based.
America Nepal Medical Foundation
Established in 1996, this non-profit organization coordinates medical support and relief efforts for communities in Nepal.
Dr. Binod Dhungana
A physician participating in the relief effort who previously provided medical assistance in Nepal during the 2015 earthquake recovery.
Dr. Karki
A physician whose father helped co-found the America Nepal Medical Foundation in 1996.
The details
The medical team is coordinating with the America Nepal Medical Foundation, an organization co-founded by Dr. Karki's father, to channel resources to affected areas. Physicians at the Springfield facility have organized independent fundraising efforts to address the immediate needs of those in the disaster zone.
Timeline
1996: America Nepal Medical Foundation was established.
2015: Dr. Dhungana assisted with earthquake recovery in Nepal.
August 26, 2026: Avalanche and glacier collapse triggered flooding.
Late October 2026: Dr. Dhungana is scheduled to travel to Nepal.
Market Landscape
The involvement of the America Nepal Medical Foundation demonstrates how local healthcare providers leverage established international networks to organize rapid disaster response. This effort highlights the role of specialized medical non-profits in facilitating grassroots fundraising across large health systems.
Residents of the local community looking to support the recovery effort can coordinate through the physicians at the RiverBend medical facility. The initiative provides a direct channel for local donors to contribute to the medical and humanitarian aid currently being funneled to Nepal.
The takeaway
This effort highlights how healthcare professionals utilize their personal connections to provide targeted support during international crises. Donors are encouraged to verify that relief funds are directed toward established medical foundations to ensure effective aid delivery.
What happens next
Dr. Binod Dhungana is scheduled to travel to Nepal in late October 2026 to assist with relief coordination.
Further reading
For more background on community-led aid initiatives, see the latest Philanthropy news.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Longview Daily News.
Live Poll
Do you feel a personal responsibility to donate to international disaster relief efforts?
