GUATEMALA

Brody School of Medicine students learn about need for global missions

by Louisa Appiah, second-year medical student

I grew up around poverty, corrupt governments and some civil unrest for the most formative years of my life. As a child, I watched my parents give back to our community in so many ways and witnessed the seeds of their investment blossom into positive results as an adult. Hence, outreach, volunteerism and mission work are not out of the ordinary to me. I chose to attend Brody because I would like to practice medicine to serve, especially disadvantaged people in my local community as aligned with the School of Medicine’s mission. 

I also have a deep passion for giving back to marginalized communities internationally.  The journey to Guatemala gave me a perspective on the immense need for global missions. Some patients traveled several hours and days to see a physician or surgeon from our team who could change their quality of life forever. 

I was therefore empowered to work harder and with caution to make sure the patients had positive outcomes. The host physician, Dr. Castillo, is very passionate about what he does for the community. He can see all kinds of patients and address their needs in one location. In Chocola, the patients that we saw were so positive and radiated good energy even amid all their pain and discomfort. It was amazing to interact and observe such resilient people.

The most challenging thing about mission work to me is not adjusting to the people, the location or the language barriers but instead finding the right words to explain such an impactful and meaningful experience. To exclaim that this opportunity was fantastic would be an understatement. I am grateful that I got the chance to travel with my incredible faculty, Dr. Kelly Haven, and one of my classmates, Sahil Dayal. I was also privileged to assist in several surgeries and meet some excellent clinicians and providers. I am proud to be a part of a team of strangers who came together over 10-11 days to impact the lives of several individuals in a seemingly small but meaningful way.

Appiah observes a wet prep under microscope. (Contributed photos)

Appiah (left) unpacks medical supplies to prepare for the week of service.

Appiah in the operating room after a total vaginal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingectomy.

by Sahil Dayal, second-year medical student

Dayal observed a laparoscopic gallbladder removal using limited resources.

I traveled to Chocola, Guatemala with my classmate, Louisa, and professor, Dr. Kelley Haven. While this was not my first time to South America, it was definitely one of my more memorable trips.

As a group, we helped local, rural Guatemalans with health care needs. At little to no cost, we made OB-GYN and surgery operating rooms and a general clinic available. As a medical student, I was given the opportunity to help and grow in ways unique to the trip that I would not have been able to do in the U.S.

Seeing patients and assisting in the operating room provided a fresh view on medicine that furthered the understanding I’ve gained from books. All the while, I honed my medical Spanish and bedside manner with sweet and thankful patients. I will forever cherish the skills I learned and apply the same enthusiasm to future patient interactions.