Heather Smith’s, BSN, RN, passion for care extends well beyond the patients that she helps daily. Outside of her duties as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the department of Neurosurgery in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Smith has shown the same passion to help a vulnerable species and their caregivers across the globe. What’s more, Smith has galvanized colleagues to extend the compassion they show for patients every day to wildlife, and the humans in their surrounding communities.
Smith had always been an animal lover. But her love was taken to a new level after winning an African Wildlife Safari in a charity auction in 2015. She returned home wanting to make sure what she had experienced would always be there. Eager to help, she attended a lecture given by wildlife filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert at Penn. Here she learned of their rhinoceros conservation efforts.
“When I won the auction for the safari in Namibia, I connected with Dr. Jim Mullen because he was a known Africa lover and I didn’t know anyone else who had been on safari. We bonded over that shared love,” explained Smith. James Mullen, MD, an emeritus professor and retired associate executive director at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and corporate director of PeriOperative Services at the University of Pennsylvania Health System, was also the one who helped bring the Jouberts to Penn in 2015, helping Smith forge a lasting relationship. “I ended up inviting a few friends and animal lovers to speak with the Jouberts, including someone who has traveled to Botswana to work through the Penn Medicine partnership.”
Through their presentation, Smith and the other attendees learned about Rhinos Without Borders, a project founded by the Jouberts whose goal was to transport rhinos from South Africa to Botswana where they would be in less danger of being poached for their horns. Smith immediately signed on to help. Within a month of the lecture, Smith along with other Penn Medicine colleagues managed to raise $10,000 to aid in the transportation of their first rhino. With that, the Pennsylvania Rhino Conservation Advocates (PARCA) was born.
Founded by Smith in 2016, the nonprofit has deep Penn roots — in addition to Smith’s role as COO and the Penn lecture which inspired her, PARCA’s board is comprised of all Penn Medicine staff members.
Since its start, PARCA has raised over $250,000 to help the preservation of rhinos. The organization has helped moved two more rhinos to Botswana and partnered with to support other conservation groups in protecting the species. PARCA also sponsors an orphan rhino named Ribbon. PARCA’s sponsorship covers her food, veterinary needs, and helps to fund the salaries of the rangers who care for her.
Since starting PARCA, Smith has learned that it’s not just about the rhinos. PARCA’s service for the animals has led to service for people — the people doing the boots-on-the-ground work that PARCA funds every day. When they fund a monitoring program that oversees the safety of the rhinos, they are funding jobs for rangers. When they sponsor the care of an orphan rhino, there are jobs for the people who take care of the anima; and the rangers who oversee the safety of those rhinos. When they fund the food for rhinos in an orphanage, they relieve the budgetary pressure and fund the salaries of the people working there. The fundraisers PARCA hosts in Philadelphia support the restaurants and their suppliers.
“It’s creating a whole system of people who make friends, travel to Africa when they may not otherwise have done so, network for their own business, and more. I’ve also learned to never underestimate yourself and the power of passion. I had no experience in nonprofits, fundraising, or conservation — and we are now in our sixth year of doing good, solid work. Grit and determination will empower you to do things you didn’t know you can do,” Smith said.
Smith has a deep love for Africa — the animals and people — which drives her. She’s traveled there six times now and each trip had a different, life-enriching experience. “I always take groups, because I want to share that with other people,” Smith explains. “Additionally, it has taught me that if we don’t first think about the people—asking ‘why is there poaching?’ or ‘how do we get people to care?’ we won’t be successful.” Poaching and conservation are complicated and ever-changing. While remaining humble and grateful, Smith has recognized how much she can help with more than just monetary donations.
Some of PARCA’s most recent work includes the funding of a night pen at Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary in South Africa. The night pen allows the Rhino orphans to get the intensive care that they need. The pen includes a WiFi system for remote monitoring. Smith was also recently invited to Ft. Worth, Texas to meet with conservationist from Texas Christian University and a wildlife veterinarian whom they partner with.
And the work continues. Smith is thankful for the PARCA volunteers, donors, and board — where six of the seven members work at Penn Medicine. But Smith would love to see further growth. Her goal is to eventually have PARCA raising over $100,000 a year so they can fund more of the work that needs to be done. She also hopes to increase the yearly trips to Africa from two to four. There is also hope to diversify PARCA’s board.
If you’re looking to get involved, PARCA is always accepting volunteers and donations — you don’t have to make a trip to Africa to help. Visit the PARCA website for more information.