Technology, eMed, - and Caring for Our Missionaries

Sister Quinn at her desk pulling up eMed on her computer

It takes about five steps to get to it, two passwords to open it, and—once you finally arrive—it’s amazing! It’s called eMed, our confidential missionary medical tracking system. Think of it as the Church’s high-tech, secure filing cabinet for health reports, medical notes, and any assigned medical tasks a missionary might need.

eMed also records who writes each note or assigns each task. It could be the area medical advisor, the mission health advisor, the mission leaders, or an advisor from the missionary medical department.

For President Quinn and me, eMed is a lifesaver. It helps us keep track of all the things we monitor that our mission health advisor (our wonderful mission nurse, Sister Ritchie) is watching over - things such as: allergies, dog bites, poison oak, sore throats, migraines, stomach aches, wax buildup in the ear (you’d be surprised), rashes mysteriously spreading across abdomens, sprained ankles, anxiety attacks, medication changes, signs of depression, doctor appointments, tonsillitis, appendicitis, fainting, diabetes scores, seizure activity—you name it. And yes, the missionary department wants to know about all of these too. It’s all part of caring for our missionaries and helping keep them healthy and on their feet.

eMed page

eMed truly is a huge blessing. My brain is NOT capable of tracking all this on its own, as hundreds of missionaries come and go. I honestly can’t imagine the stacks of notebooks mission leaders used to juggle with nurses and the missionary medical department before eMed. Now, I can read the nurse’s notes, she can read mine, and we can even send missionaries quick assessment tests to check on their mental health.

And whenever President Quinn or I need to talk with a missionary—or with parents about their health we can review everything in eMed first. Thank you Sister Ritchie for all your updates and your informative and helpful notes!

Now, every once in a while, eMed crashes. And when it does? Well, let’s just say we suddenly have some drama around here and a few prayers until it’s back up.  

As mission leaders, our goal is simple: to help our missionaries be happy, healthy, and successful as they grow spiritually into lifelong disciples of our Savior Jesus Christ. eMed is one of the tools that helps make that possible. Thank you to all those who developed eMed.

It’s been a busy week with a lot going on with missionaries and the need for eMed documentations which causes us some worry and concern.

Saturday we were able to attend the temple with Elder and Sister Harmer (two of our senior missionaries) and some friends of theirs who were being endowed and then sealed. Last night some of the seniors missionaries gathered to celebrate two birthdays at the Nate’s home — Elder Cawley’s and Elder Wilson’s. It is always fun to get together with this group of people. Right now we have 15 senior couples serving missions here in the California Santa Rosa Mission.

Celebrating birthdays - the Ritchies, the Nates, the Frodshams, The Quinns, the Wilsons, The Cawleys, and the Sittons.

And here are two fun photos. The first one was taken one year ago in November. These four missionaries flew into Santa Rosa on a very rainy day. I remember well praying that the plane would land in Santa Rosa and not be deterred to Sacramento as it circled around for an hour because of a storm. We were happy when the plane landed here safe and sound. This second photo was taken a few weeks ago as these same four missionaries are all serving together in two companionships. I can’t believe it’s been a year! Tonight as I am typing this mission update, it is raining pretty hard here in Santa Rosa. I think the rainy season has begun! Pull out those cute rain jackets!

November 2024 Sisters Wright, Doner, Alusa, and Knotts - Santa Rosa Airpot

October 2025 Sisters Wright, Doner, Alusa, and Knotts - mission home

Here is our #19 “Coming to Know Him” journal prompt! I am loving this weekly tradition!

Have a wonderful week! Sister Quinn