Robert Lin, a monthly ReSurge donor, is Vice President of the product team at Clarify Health. In an interview, he shared his motivation for why he gives to ReSurge International, emphasizing the importance of equitable healthcare, especially in low- and middle-income countries. In being intentional about his giving, Robert wanted to see a return on his investment. He admires that ReSurge focuses on both patient care and the multigenerational impact of surgical training. It multiplies his impact and “stretches his dollar” with a scalable model of surgical care that trains surgeons who then train other surgeons. He is passionate about reconstructive surgery because it addresses physical conditions but also empowers individuals and their families to lead fulfilling and productive lives. To simplify his giving process, Robert decided to set up a monthly recurring donation.
Can you start by sharing a bit about yourself?
I live in San Francisco. I have been here for about nine years with my husband and our two-and-a-half-year-old son, Julian. I work at Clarify Health alongside two ReSurge Supporters, Manisha and Nishta. Clarify Health is a healthcare and analytics company for providers and customers. Manisha and Nishta introduced me to ReSurge. ReSurge was also presented at Clarify at one point during an All-Hands meeting. I am the Vice President of the product team. I went to Duke for my undergraduate degree and grew up in Michigan.
What motivated you to give to ReSurge International?
I have always believed health is the number one thing, and if you don’t have that, it’s hard to have an enjoyable and productive life. There are numerous gaps in healthcare and access to healthcare, especially in low and middle-income countries. If there’s one thing I think is needed to level the playing field for everyone, it’s health. I want to see more development in health access and equity. That is why I always focus on the healthcare and health policy space more than any other space.
Why reconstructive surgery in particular?
There is more awareness around pandemics and diseases. As a result, funding is disproportionately given to those spaces versus reconstructive surgery. Moreover, reconstructive has a multiplier effect. For example, if someone has a cleft lip and gets their cleft lip repaired, they can articulate themselves more easily, find a job more easily, and provide for their family. I like that aspect. It doesn’t just solve for one thing–– but now, that individual can provide for their family. That ripple effect makes your money go a long way.
What inspired you to set up a recurring monthly donation?
If I’m being transparent, it’s hard to be selfless. I found myself going back and forth on how much to give. Oh, should I do this much? Or should I do that much? Oh no, I should do more –– but it’s hard. Honestly, I wanted to remove that back-and-forth decision-making and make it recurring, because, in reality, I do know I should be giving that much. I do know that I can give that much, and I do know that I can feel good giving that much. But there’s this internal struggle that I have, and I want to remove that internal struggle by making my gift seamlessly recurring. I am probably not alone in that.
What impact do you hope to see by supporting access to reconstructive surgical care?
I want to see ROI. I want to ensure that my dollar gets stretched as far as possible. I love that ReSurge thinks of both patient care and surgical training, and how that surgeon can train other surgeons. So much so that they did a study, which found that one surgeon in a low-income country can treat 10,000 patients in their career, and if they become a full-time surgeon-trainer, they can transform over 400,000 lives in their lifetime by their succeeding trainees, creating a substantial multiplier effect across generations! That to me stretches my dollar as far as it can go. ReSurge is building a model that is scalable.
Can you share any personal experiences or connections that have influenced your decision to give?
I’m fortunate enough not to have any direct experience with reconstructive surgery. However, Angelina Jolie’s infamous speech at the Academy Awards captures a lot of what I feel when she said:
“I have never understood why some people are lucky enough to be born with the chance that I had to have this path in life, and why somewhere across the world, there’s a woman just like me, same abilities and the same desires and the same work ethic and love for her family, who would most likely make better films and make better speeches, only she sits in a refugee camp, and she has no voice.”
Similarly, this social reality and fundamental question around equity and access have plagued me. People can live very different lives depending on their circumstances and where they’re situated in the world. And that can dictate a different path for one person in comparison to another. I’ve always been frustrated by that reality, and that’s what compels me to give back. I think it’s important to do so.
What would you say to someone who is considering donating to ReSurge International?
We are so fortunate. And if we’re not thinking about people in need of care, then who is? So the need is there. It’s also a good way to show that you are grateful for your own life. We are just so fortunate, and people who need access to reconstructive surgery need our support.
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Thanks to donors like Robert Lin, ReSurge International is closing the gap to reconstructive surgery by providing care to thousands of patients each year and training surgeons who help answer the worldwide need for reconstructive surgery. If you’re interested in giving to ReSurge, visit our donation page to get started.
