Dr. Lin Calvert, affectionately known as “Grandma” or “Bubu Mei” in the local Koriki dialect, dedicated nearly seven decades of her life to Kapuna Hospital in Papua New Guinea, leaving a legacy of unwavering commitment, love, and service. Born in Gisborne, New Zealand, Dr. Lin broke family tradition by pursuing a career in medicine, where she met her husband, Peter, who shared her calling to serve underserved communities. In 1954, they arrived in Papua New Guinea with their two young children, embracing a simple life in the remote Gulf Province, accessible only by boat. They found a warm welcome and quickly became beloved members of the local community, devoting their lives to helping people in a region where medical care was scarce.

Throughout her 69 years at Kapuna, Dr. Lin delivered an estimated 10,000 babies and treated thousands for diseases like tuberculosis, measles, and cholera. Her pioneering approach to tuberculosis care, identifying the disease beyond the lungs, saved countless lives. She also led the development of a school for healthcare workers, which has since graduated thousands of skilled community health workers and nurses. Her students, many of whom were inspired by her passion, have gone on to serve their own communities, thanks to Dr. Lin’s insistence on quality training and her encouragement to stay in rural areas where healthcare was most needed.

Known for her simplicity, Dr. Lin lived off local produce—often from her garden—and embodied resilience in a setting without modern conveniences. She and Peter conducted surgeries by flashlight when necessary and managed a kerosene-powered refrigerator to keep vaccines fresh. When not in the hospital, Dr. Lin was often found in her garden, waging war against weeds, or sitting with patients, listening and praying over them with the same attentiveness she gave her own family.

The Calverts’ impact extended beyond medical care; they deeply valued spiritual health and fostered a local church community that thrived in its authenticity. Through daily prayers, mentorship, and a revival sparked by a simple Christmas play, they helped build a church that reflected both local culture and Christian teachings.

Even after Peter’s passing in 1982, Dr. Lin continued her work as head doctor until her retirement at 82, leaving a thriving legacy in Kapuna. She remained active in the hospital, advocating for simple yet effective healthcare practices and teaching younger generations of healthcare workers.

Dr. Lin passed away at age 98 on August 8, 2023, surrounded by the community she had served and loved. In a moving farewell, her body was wrapped in a palm frond mat and carried in a canoe by nursing students, who laid her to rest beside her beloved husband, Peter. Her life was celebrated by more than 500 people from surrounding communities, from political leaders to former patients, all honoring their “Grandma.” Her children and grandchildren continue her legacy, ensuring that the values she instilled will endure in the hospital and community she helped transform. Dr. Lin Calvert’s life of service was, as she humbly noted in a documentary by her grandson, “all God anyway”—a testament to her enduring faith and dedication.