Mercy Ships volunteers Elaine and David Sigalet transform lives aboard the Global Mercy
While many prepare for retirement, Elaine and David Sigalet chose a different path—one that has taken them across oceans to transform lives and enrich their own. The Canadian couple has dedicated their medical careers’ final years to Mercy Ships, a global charity providing free surgical care and professional training in underserved African regions.
Now serving for the fourth time aboard the Global Mercy, the Sigalets exemplify service with skill and compassion. For them, volunteering is more than giving back—it is a calling.
Transforming healthcare through surgery and training
David Sigalet, a pediatric surgeon, performs life-changing operations for children, repairing hernias, removing tumors, and giving families hope. “What keeps me coming back is the sense of community,” he said. “We’re not only transforming individual lives, we’re building something that lasts. Teaching local staff is the most meaningful part because we leave something behind.”
Elaine Sigalet, with a Ph.D. in medical education, serves as Simulation Coordinator for Mercy Ships’ Education, Training, and Advocacy (ETA) team. She designs realistic scenarios that allow local nurses and healthcare professionals to practice and refine their skills safely. This simulation-based approach ensures that knowledge and competency remain long after the ship has left port.
Recent studies show that simulation training significantly enhances surgical skills and clinical competencies in Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the lasting impact of Mercy Ships’ educational programs. Elaine’s work ensures that theory translates into tangible, long-term benefits for local medical staff.
Service that strengthens bonds and faith
Married for 39 years, the Sigalets say serving side by side has deepened their bond. Long hospital days are balanced with reflective evenings on deck, where they rediscover the values that brought them together: faith, compassion, and a shared desire to make a difference.
“We try to always sit together for meals, attend services, and take evening walks,” Elaine shared. “Serving others side by side has taken our relationship, and our faith, to a deeper level. Until you experience it, you don’t really get it. It takes life and love to a whole new level.”
Their story is a testament to the transformative power of volunteering, showing that dedicated service can enrich both the lives of others and one’s own.
