Project HOPE, which was founded in 1958 by Dr. William B. Walsh, aimed to teach medical and dental personnel from developing countries all the latest techniques and advances of U.S. medical science. To facilitate this cause, Project HOPE borrowed a 15,000-ton naval ship, refitted it to meet their needs, and named it the S.S. HOPE.   This ship was fully staffed with physicians, nurses, and medical technicians, and teams of volunteers from 20 medical specialty areas were flown to the ship for their 2-month unpaid tours. Voyage destinations included Indonesia, South Vietnam, Peru, and Guinea.

Dr. Striker’s voyage was to Nicaragua and his primary role was to serve in a teaching capacity. At the time, the country of Nicaragua only had one medical school. With Nicaraguan physicians as counterparts, Dr. Striker would spend his days conducting lectures, round-table seminars, and completing rounds – all in an attempt to share his knowledge with others. Dr. Striker remarked that, “I believe we have more medical knowledge than any other country. And we should try to transmit that knowledge to others.” Through Project HOPE, Dr. Striker was able to do just that.

The work of Project HOPE continues today. In Cameroon, Project HOPE volunteers are currently participating in a long-term land-based mission to train local doctors and nurses as well as develop programs aimed at women’s health and reducing neonatal mortality. In Indonesia, Project HOPE volunteers can be found not only working to develop professional medical personnel, but also responding to local disasters such as the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 and a devastating earthquake in 2006. In Peru, Project HOPE’s creation of the Village Health Bank (VHB) works to improve economic security as well as the quality of life for the area’s most needy. The benefits of this program can be felt by 14,500 women and 10,500 children. Undertakings such as these and the hundreds of others help Project HOPE continue to fulfill their mission“to achieve sustainable advances in health care around the world by implementing health education programs and providing humanitarian assistance in areas of need.”[1]

Photo of Dr. Cecil Striker, taken Jan. 23, 1974

I recently started processing the Cecil Striker Archival Collection which began with some initial biographical research. In brief, Dr. Striker led the effort to understand and control diabetes. He was instrumental in the formation of the American Diabetes Association and served as its first president. Having a keen interest in medical history, he also helped found the Medical History Society of Cincinnati which is now known as the Cecil Striker Society.

Letter from Dr. Cecil Striker to James Shear, manager of Liberal Market at University Plaza regarding a grievance dated February 5, 1974

With this basic background information, I began delving into the personal correspondence of Dr. Striker, and, while his professional career is fascinating to say the least, I’ll admit that I found in his personal correspondence just as interesting.

Whether it was through letters of complaint about his Schick razor, letters of accolades for his AMC Rambler, or personal letters of friendship, I began to see Dr. Striker as a man with the same trials and tribulations as the rest of us.

Letter from Dr. Cecil Striker to William Luneburg, President of American Motors Corporation dated February 16, 1974

I felt his acute pain and sadness as he relayed the details of his wife’s death to some friends.  I could relate to his total frustration at the Arrow Shirt Company when they discontinued his favorite shirts and were unable to reproduce them for him. I understood his disappointment when he received a work of art through the mail, only to have it arrive damaged. His letters reveal a sense of humor, true love for his wife, absolute pride in his sons, and complete intolerance for bad customer service.

While Dr. Striker will never be known for the shirts he wore, the razor he used, the cars he drove, or his unwavering insistence that the customer be treated with respect, it’s nice to get a look at the real man behind the archival collection.