BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Elaine Strid - President
Elaine was raised as a dairy farmer’s daughter in Missouri, USA. Her Christian home led her to church where she became a Christian at age 12. Elaine has been a Christian counselor for over 25 years, working in trauma recovery. She has been through mental and physical trauma and grief with loss of a child and spouse personally and God has healed her. God has used these trials to help her grow compassion for people who need recovery in the world.
Dr. Strid visited AIC Litein Hospital as a WMM Missionary in February 2022. She taught Biblical Counseling and Diagnosis Using the DSM-5 and Biblical counseling principals using EMDR as a therapy technique. What happened to her is that she fell in love with the people and the AIC Litein Hospital. The staff at the hospital know how to help people with very little supplies and minimal facilities. They need help so they can help this community more. After discussion with Dr. Elijah Terer, she consented to begin the process of forming Friends of Litein, a US nonprofit corporation to help raise funds to benefit the students, staff and patients and upgrade the facilities of the AIC Litein Hospital.
Yolanda Griffin - Secretary
I have been a diagnostic cardiac and medical sonographer since 1993 and live and work in Washington State. I had the privilege of growing up in a Christian home where I put my faith in Jesus as my savior at the age of 9. I’ve been married to Jon for over 30 years and together we have 3 adult children and one grandson.
Having traveled on various mission trips in my younger years, once I finished college I began hoping and praying about an opportunity to use my ultrasound skills internationally. There was a long wait for that chance, but it finally came when I met Cheryl Boodt, a fellow sonographer who had traveled frequently to AIC Litein Hospital. Cheryl suggested I join her on a Litein trip, and through Samaritan’s Purse and World Medical Missions, I was able to go in May 2024. On that trip, I fell in love with the patients, community, and talented radiology staff in Litein. I saw firsthand how hard they worked to bring quality care with so few resources. The chance to continue a relationship with my new Kenyan “family” through serving on the Friends of Litein board is a true privilege. I look forward to supporting their ongoing efforts in fundraising and improving the care that the hospital already brings.
Amy Schultz - Treasurer
During the summer of 2021, my husband, 4 of my 5 children, and I spent 4 months working at the AIC Litein Hospital in Kenya. In 2026, my husband and I returned, without our kids, to work at the hospital for 3 months. My husband, Dr. Matthew Schultz, is a family practice physician in Minnesota, and I have been at home raising and caring for our 5 children since we had our third child. Our oldest is a cognitively disabled adult whom I care for daily.
I have a degree in Computer Science, and in my pre-staying home life, I spent years managing databases and programming software. I have spent many hours volunteering and teaching children within our church and community, and I serve on the local school board. We also were a licensed foster home for 9 years and have had 9 children placed with us who have all either returned to their precious parents or been adopted by loving families. I also manage a small goat farm. I love Jesus and depend on his strength and direction daily.
We felt called by God to go to Litein, and we feel called to continue supporting the hospital. We saw first-hand the many needs of the people and of the hospital. AIC Litein Hospital does well with its resources and has the potential to provide many more services that would meet a large local need if it can obtain more resources. I am honored and excited to be part of the board of directors for Friends of Litein.
Cheryl Boodt
Cheryl Boodt is a semi-retired general and vascular diagnostic medical sonographer from the shores of Lake Michigan, married to Tom Boodt for 51 years, mother of two daughters, grandma to 3 boys, and mom to one spoiled chihuahua. When she was a small girl, through a family friend who was a missionary nurse to Africa, Cheryl was inspired to be a medical missionary. God seemed to be calling her to mission work after retirement, but she had no idea how to do that as a sonographer. Settling her Dad’s estate in 2018 and fulfilling his wishes to give a gift to Samaritan’s Purse, she learned about World Medical Missions.
Because of the gorgeous climate and English language, Tom and Cheryl decided to try one month in Kapsowar, Kenya March 2019. They both fell in love with Kapsowar and returned there in 2020 to serve for three months. Two weeks into that stay, Samaritan’s Purse evacuated them to Litein, Kenya, a place they never heard of before. Very quickly they realized , Litein was God’s plan for them all along. In Litein, they felt at home with the hospital and church family. They found a place where their talents were needed in radiology and industrial department, and they could make a difference. They love to call Litein, Kenya their African home and the radiology/industrial hospital staff family.
Laurie Sauerwein
Laurie recently joined the Friends of Litein board after spending 2 years serving at the hospital with her husband, Mark, a Family Medicine doctor. She has been a Registered Dietitian for 45 years and also holds a master’s degree in international public health. She and Mark have worked in mission hospitals in multiple countries in Africa short-term and also on the Samaritan’s Purse international disaster relief team. Their heart is to serve wherever God calls, whether at home or abroad.
When home in the States, Laurie calls Sisters, Oregon, home and is very blessed to attend a church fellowship where Christ is made known both in the community and abroad through an active missions program. Laurie has 4 children and 8 grandchildren who also keep her busy. She continues to support projects at Litein Hospital in the area of nutrition and is glad for the opportunity to also serve as a member of the Friends of Litein board.
Dr. Elijah Terer
Dr. Elijah Kipkirui Terer is a distinguished healthcare executive, family physician, educator, and transformational leader with more than three decades of experience in healthcare management, clinical practice, medical education, governance, and community development. He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of AIC Litein Hospital, one of Kenya's leading faith-based healthcare institutions, where he provides strategic leadership in organizational growth, healthcare quality improvement, resource stewardship, innovation, and stakeholder engagement.
Prior to his appointment as CEO in 2021, Dr. Terer served as Chair of the Board of Directors of AIC Litein Hospital (2018–2021), providing governance oversight and strategic direction during a critical period of institutional growth and institutional transformation. His leadership reflects an unwavering commitment to strengthening healthcare systems, advancing medical education, and improving patient outcomes.
Dr. Terer previously held several senior leadership and academic positions at AGC Tenwek Hospital, including Program Director and Assistant Program Director for the Family Medicine Residency Program. In these roles, he played a pivotal role in postgraduate medical education, faculty development, residency training, curriculum implementation, and program administration. His clinical leadership experience also includes serving as Acting Head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Director of the Internship Program, Assistant Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chief Clinical Officer, and Nurse-in-Charge of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). His progressive career demonstrates a deep commitment to clinical excellence, healthcare systems strengthening, leadership development, and mentoring future generations of healthcare professionals.
Beyond healthcare administration, Dr. Terer has made significant contributions to governance, faith-based leadership, humanitarian service, and community development. He serves as a member of the Executive Council of Africa Inland Church Health Ministries (AICHM), contributing to strategic oversight and the advancement of faith-based healthcare across Kenya.
He also serves as Chairperson of the AIC Kimolwet Church Council and Chairperson of the District Church Council, providing spiritual and administrative leadership to seven local churches. Additionally, he participates in Regional Church Council leadership and serves as Chairperson of Church Development for the AIC Bomet Area Church Council.
A dedicated humanitarian leader, Dr. Terer was the Founding Chairperson of the Kenya Red Cross Society – Bomet County Branch, serving for nine years and leading the establishment and growth of the county branch. Under his leadership, the branch strengthened community disaster preparedness, emergency response, health promotion, blood donation initiatives, volunteer development, and partnerships that enhanced humanitarian services across Bomet County. His pioneering leadership laid a strong foundation for the branch's continued impact and growth.
In addition to his healthcare and humanitarian leadership, Dr. Terer serves on the boards of educational institutions and faith-based organizations at local, regional, and national levels, contributing to governance, strategic planning, institutional development, and community empowerment.
Dr. Terer holds a Master of Medicine (MMed) in Family Medicine from Kabarak University, a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from Hubert Kairuki Memorial University, Tanzania, a Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Surgery from Machame Medical Training College, and a Kenya Enrolled Community Health Nursing qualification from Tenwek School of Nursing. His multidisciplinary educational background provides a unique combination of clinical expertise, healthcare leadership, organizational management, and medical education.
A passionate advocate for holistic, patient-centered healthcare, Dr. Terer is recognized for his commitment to servant leadership, organizational excellence, innovation, mentorship, and continuous professional development. He is known for building high-performing teams, fostering collaborative partnerships, strengthening healthcare systems, and empowering healthcare professionals to deliver compassionate, high-quality care.
Dr. Terer is also the author of Something Good Can Come Out of You (2009), an inspirational book that reflects his passion for leadership development, personal growth, resilience, and community transformation.
A devoted Christian and respected healthcare leader, Dr. Terer continues to inspire healthcare professionals, community leaders, and future generations through his unwavering commitment to quality healthcare, ethical leadership, faith-based service, humanitarian action, and sustainable community development. His unique blend of executive healthcare leadership, clinical expertise, governance experience, educational mentorship, and servant leadership positions him as a leading voice in advancing healthcare transformation and community impact across Kenya, Africa, and beyond.