Mark Palm Recognized as Notable Figure in San Diego Community

In 1997, Mark Palm, then 22 years old, embarked on a first date with Kirsten by sharing a bold vision of his future: a commitment to serve the people of New Guinea. Palm’s proposal was clear; if Kirsten was not on board with his ambitious plans, they would remain friends. They have now been married for 27 years.

Raised in a pastoral household, Palm’s passion for humanitarian service took root during a trip to Tecate, Mexico, where he worked on building homes for the underprivileged with a church group. It was there that he first felt a profound spiritual calling to assist others. A chance encounter with the challenging living conditions in remote New Guinea propelled this calling into action. Palm learned that vast rural areas were devoid of adequate medical services. In these communities, people lived in rudimentary bush houses, lacking basic amenities such as electricity and clean water. The nearest hospital was a treacherous three-day canoe ride away, and many with serious health issues, particularly women giving birth, often succumbed before reaching necessary care.

Palm was captivated by the warmth and hospitality of the locals, who embraced him and his friend during their visit, allowing them to stay in their homes. He returned to the United States with a resolute vision to assist approximately 500,000 residents of the East Sepik Province in Papua New Guinea. His plan encompassed learning to fly so he could utilize floatplanes along the Sepik River, ferrying patients to healthcare facilities and delivering medical supplies to villagers.

After obtaining an Aviation Technology degree from Miramar College in 2000, Palm gained hands-on experience as an airplane mechanic and conducted medical flights to Mexico. By 2010, the nonprofit organization Samaritan Aviation was founded, supported by donations from humanitarian organizations, including Wings of Hope, which provided a plane for operations.

Mark, along with Kirsten and their three young children, relocated from Carlsbad to Papua New Guinea, where they resided for a decade while maintaining dual homes. Notably, Samaritan Aviation became a unique lifeline as it was the only floatplane service operating in that region.

The organization has conducted approximately 3,600 flights since its inception, successfully transporting thousands of patients and delivering about 300,000 pounds of medical supplies to remote communities. Today, Samaritan Aviation operates three aircrafts, with eight families, including five pilots, living permanently in New Guinea. The nonprofit has plans to extend its services, potentially reaching an additional 1.5 million individuals in future expansions.

Palm has highlighted a significant impact of their efforts on public health: prior to their arrival, cholera outbreaks had claimed about 3,000 lives in the region in 2009. However, since their intervention, there has not been a recorded outbreak resulting in more than three deaths.

One poignant story from 2010 involves a woman named Antonia, who was in labor for three days and faced grave complications. Thanks to Palm’s timely intervention, she and her son arrived safely at the hospital, escaping a fate that would have likely ended in tragedy.

Over the years, community gatherings have celebrated Samaritan Aviation’s impact, including a significant event attended by dignitaries like the U.S. Ambassador. At this gathering, survivors shared their heartfelt stories, with Antonia poignantly recounting how Palm saved her life. She introduced her nine-year-old son, a testament to their shared journey of survival—his name is Mark.

This ongoing story of service and resilience underscores not only the transformative power of humanitarian work but also the deep connections forged between cultures through acts of compassion.