Mary Lightfine's Bio
One day in 1992, Mary Lightfine, an experienced ER nurse decided to pack up and move to Africa. This decision gave her a chance to feel what war, starvation and desperation was like from a completely different perspective. The experience changed her life forever. During the past twelve years she has lived and worked in more than a dozen countries, including some of the most hellish spots on earth.

Mary is a seasoned veteran of International Medical Corps and the Nobel Prize winning organization Doctors Without Borders. She is also founder and President of Volunteers Without Boundaries and Nurse Without Boundaries. Mary has been the subject of countless news articles, appeared on The History Channel, was written up in LIFE magazine, professional journals and books, and is a published author.

Today she has become a pilot and lives in Daytona Beach, Florida with her husband, Paul Rooy and their two dogs. Mary travels extensively performing international charity work and sharing her experiences with organizations and Colleges throughout the United States, and was nominated for Lecturer of year by Campus Activities Magazine. Mary believes that one person can make a difference in one's own life and in the world around us.

2007 HOLLYWOOD BOOK FESTIVAL, annual competition honoring books worthy of greater attention from the film, TV and multimedia industries has awarded Nurses, Nomads And Warlords an HONORABLE MENTION in the Biography / Autobiography category.


"Nurses, Nomads, And Warlords was hard to put down I enjoyed it tremendously. It is a light and humorous presentation of the harsh realities of war. It is a book well worth reading." - Dr Mickey Richer, MD, World Health Organization (W.H.O.)


"What an incredible book. I loved it." - Kathy Eldon, movie producer and author of numerous books including Dying to tell the story.


"Fascinating, humbling, well-written book. I loved it! As a matter of fact, I have persuaded the school to use it as a text for several classes. We're emphasizing global awareness with themes like hunger, poverty, health, and the environment - all of which Nurses, Nomads, And Warlords clearly addresses." - Professor Paula R. Buck, PHD, Department of English, FSC


"A must read book, well done. I was fascinated by this book. It was very engaging, informative, moving, and realistic. It is also amazing that the reader can relate to the characters in the book. Despite their heroism, they are all ordinary human beings with feelings, doubts, frustrations, and emotions. This is a book that anyone with any interest in humanitarian & international work should read." - Dr. Shahriar Zehtabchi, MD, assistant professor of Emergency Medicine, Downstate Medical Center, NYC.


"A compelling, rich tapestry of fast moving action. A story of the violence in Africa with the eye of a reporter and the heart of a painter." - Paul Levinson, College Professor and author.


"Outstanding! Nurses, Nomads, and Warlords is a stimulating and intense book. I felt like I was there. It shows the passion of nursing from a new perspective. I would highly recommend it for all schools of nursing." Donna Meyer, Professor of Nursing, Dean of Allied Health and Director of Nursing Education Lewis and Clark Community College


"A big hit at our BOOK CLUB meeting..." - Donna Austin Velickovich RN.


"WOW! It was great!! A terrific story and very well written." - CarolAnn Garrett, the woman who flew around the world in a Mooney and lived to write about it! Author of Upon Silver Wings.


"An exciting adventure story. A must read for anyone who is curious about other cultures or who just enjoys a good story. I loved it!" - Penny Roberts.


"A gripping tale..." - Richard Norris, teacher.


"A very exciting story touching every emotion; an amazing look at our changing world." - Yvonne, artist, singer, songwriter.