summer 2015 - alicia whissel

Hello the team!

My name is Alicia. I am from Jackson, WY. Sadly, I will be the only team member from Wyoming this year, as ba Gay made the difficult decision to stay home and will definitely be missed (and really, she is from Nevada now anyway, so there you go). ;)

I will attempt to be as awesome as she is, but as some of you know, she left some pretty big sandals to fill! :) 

Most of you should still be blissfully unaware (at least for a few more hours) of the fact that I will be joining the team, as someone – who will remain guilty and nameless: co binh :) – decided to keep my presence a secret until the team arrives in Taiwan (sneaky, sneaky). This was done in order to surprise several members of the team that I have traveled to Vietnam with on previous COPI missions. 

It has been awhile since I have been able to travel with the team, but I am very excited to be going this year and will see you all soon!

summer 2015 - sam keating

My name is Sam Keating, I am 20 

years old and I have been living in vietnam since the spring COPI trip. I am passionate about helping others and I enjoy the opportunities that COPI has given me! This will be my third trip with the COPI team. 

summer 2015 - barbara lewis (barb)

Barbara Lewis aka Barb

 I’m originally from upstate New York but have lived in Denver more than half my life now, so I guess I’m more of a Westerner than an Easterner although I call both places home.  I am a retired school teacher, but am often told I  “failed” retirement since I’ve been working  part-time for the last ten years.  I love to travel and have visited many wonderful places but not Vietnam.  This is my first mission; I am excited but also a bit nervous about it.  I’m sure it will be an adventure though!

summer 2015 - linh phuong ngo

Linh's mom, Mrs. Hanh (L) and Linh (Ling) (R)
On Linh's graduation day

Xin Chao! My name is Linh Ngo. I was born and raised in Tam Hiep, Vietnam; my family and I immigrated to Denver, Colorado in 2004. I recently graduated with Honors from Arrupe Jesuit High School. I am also a proud Daniels Fund scholar and will be attending Saint Louis University in the fall of 2015. This trip will be my fourth trip back to Vietnam; however, this is my first going to rural areas. I am super excited for this summer’s mission trip and honored to serve with COPI’s hard working and dedicated volunteers. I look forward to meeting you all, peace and love!  

summer 2015 - terry & dennis willis

Dennis & Terry Willis

Terry is a landscape artist and Dennis is a retired Recreation Specialist for the BLM and runs his own small consulting business. We have two grown daughters and five grandchildren ranging in ages from 15 to eight.  

This will be Terry’s fourth trip with the summer COPI team and Dennis will be on his third trip.  Terry is a member of Soroptimist International which supports improving the lives of Women and Girls. 

She also is on the Board of the Local United Way, the Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Carbon County, the Green Team, Price Community Progress Committee, and the Trails Committee.  Dennis serves on the Prehistoric Museum Board and is active in advocating for environmental issues.

We were not able to travel with the team last year, but are both excited to be returning this summer and look forward to meeting everyone and reconnecting with all our friends we have made along the way.

summer 2015 - binh rybacki

Hello team:

I am binh rybacki, it is my honor to have you join us in Vietnam as we will serve at eight clinics in four provinces: Phu Tho, Quang Nam, Khanh Hoa and Vinh Long and my beloved city in Saigon aka Ho Chi Minh City.  Serving on the team with us will be our Vietnamese team members, some are veterans and some are first-timers.

binh and some of her favorite girls in Thanh Ba, Phu Tho

I am sure you have heard about me from one source another, I hope to learn more about you in our two and 1/2 weeks together.  Join me on the leadership team are Co Cuc (Saigon), My Nguyen (South Carolina) and Terry Willis (Utah). Our primary function is to serve you, the team members so you could in turn serve our patients.

Our oldest son Preston and his wife Shannon are living in Saigon.  Preston will be back in Colorado to visit his dad (my hubby, Jack) while I am in Vietnam, we hope that you will be able to see Shannon for a bit in Saigon.  Our youngest son, Spencer lives and works in Chicago.

I can't wait to see all of you in Hanoi.  Peace to our journey.