Meyer Inducted into Iowa Hall of Fame
Dr. Steven Meyer, founder of Siouxland Tanzania Educational and Medical Ministries (STEMM) in Sioux City, Iowa, will be inducted as a member of the 2022 Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame by Lt. Governor Adam Gregg in a ceremony at the Iowa State Capitol building on Thursday, April 21 at 2:30 p.m.
Being selected for the Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame is the most prestigious state-level honor volunteers can receive as recognition of extraordinary donations of volunteer service to their communities.
Meyer, a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon with CNOS, co-founded STEMM 25 years ago to develop a relational bridge between Siouxland and Tanzania by addressing the priorities of spiritual growth, medical care, and educational opportunities. In building this relationship, the overwhelming AIDS orphan crisis was one that could not be ignored and today is also an integral part of the STEMM ministry.
Meyer said, “It’s beyond humbling to be recognized by the leadership of our great state of Iowa for the impact STEMM has made not only in Tanzania but Greater Siouxland as well. This is not my award, but I receive it on behalf of the hundreds of volunteers, donors, prayer warriors and trip participants that have been essential for our collective success. Most of all, I thank Almighty Creator God for the inspiration, passion and opportunity to do his work in changing lives for Christ on both sides of the world.” During the 25 years since STEMM was first organized, yearly outreach trips have sent hundreds of healthcare workers and other volunteers from all denominations from Siouxland to Tanzania, along with immeasurable amounts of donated medical supplies. Through Meyer’s vision and dedication, STEMM has developed a 100-acre campus in Mbuguni, complete with a farming operation, educational offices and an orphanage with capacity to care for more than 50 young African children at a time.
The campus also operates a feeding program that provides 5,000 hot lunches each day in area schools. Prior to the inception of the school feeding program, the percentage of local kids attending school was 375, After two years of the providing lunch during the school day, the attendance jumped to 86% and today it is at 100%.