Haitian Microfinance, Inc. is pleased to announce its first grant to FINCA International, Inc. for the establishment of a village bank in Haiti. FINCA International, Inc. was selected based upon the strength and transparency of FINCA International’s village banking program in Haiti.
This first grant is in honor or Dr. John R. Ibach – an accomplished physician and musician, as well as an individual who cared deeply for those less fortunate. Dr. Ibach participated in many humanitarian medical operations worldwide, including missions to Apalacha, Ghana, and Jamaica, as well as Haiti.
In 1998 and 1999, John Ibach left for Haiti with the Medical Benevolence Foundation from the Presbyterian Church to aid in medical care for people living in the regions of Cap Haitien and Mombin Crochu. Moving toward retirement in the year 2000 helped Dr. Ibach make plans for continuing medical missions in Haiti. Having raised a large family over the past 40 years, given service in Viet Nam with the 45th and 35th Surgical Hospital and having practiced cardiovascular - thoracic surgery in the Jacksonville, Florida, area since 1970, Dr. Ibach was looking forward to working with the Presbyterian Church and serving where he was able. In 2002 he was diagnosed with fronto-temporal lobe dementia which took his life in 2005.
Dr. Ibach graduated from Hamilton College in 1955 and the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in 1959. His internship and residency was taken at Philadelphia General Hospital where he was Chief Resident. From 1969-71 he was a fellow in Thoracic and Cardiovascular surgery at the University of Florida in Gainesville.
During his 30 years of medical practice, Dr. Ibach enjoyed serving the community with his gift of piano jazz. He supported many aspects of arts in the Jacksonville area, served his church family, chaired several professional associations, and enjoyed and participated in as many sports as possible. He was the most loving husband, a great father, and was becoming the grand-dad of 13. He loved life, and he loved to help others live. When asked by an old and sick gentleman in Haiti who had lost his limbs to leprosy (Wilson's Disease)..."Why are you here?" Dr. Ibach replied, "Because of Jesus Christ."
After learning of this gift honoring her late husband, Stephanie Ibach stated, “How pleased John would be to know of the establishment of a Haitian village bank honoring him.”
