Volunteer Reflection: Heran Yosef, Medical Student

I completed a seven day international surgical outreach trip with the Mission to Heal in Laisamis, Kenya. The goal of this mission was to join local healthcare professionals at Laisamis Referral Hospital in Laisamis, Kenya in providing both primary and surgical care. Mission to Heal intentionally travels to remote areas such as this because of the limited resources available. A highlight of their approach is not to take over care but rather to collaborate with local healthcare providers to provide care. We worked alongside local healthcare providers, recognizing that they understand their communities and healthcare systems best and are essential to maintaining continuity of care. The goal was not to create dependence, but to strengthen local capacity so that providers can sustain this work long after the team leaves.

A typical day began with a brief lecture from Dr. Geelhoed on common pathologies in the region in order to strengthen the education of the team and the local healthcare professionals. As a medical student, I briefly learned about conditions and infectious diseases that are rarely, if ever, encountered in practice in the United States. Here, however, many of these conditions are very relevant. This experience reinforced for me the importance of recognizing that healthcare needs vary significantly based on the population and environment being served and validated the importance of learning conditions that are not just prevalent locally but globally.

We then spent the rest of the morning in the clinic evaluating patients similar to a primary care visit and screening for conditions that might require surgical intervention. During my clinical rotations in the United States, I am typically able to ask numerous questions to obtain a thorough history, and patients are often able to provide detailed information about their symptoms and medical history. Here, however, I was challenged to develop a differential diagnosis based on a few focused questions and a physical examination, as patients often had limited knowledge of their medical history. I was grateful for the opportunity to practice being an effective caregiver despite having limited information and resources.

In the afternoon, patients identified as needing surgery were treated that same day. I was able to practice sterile techniques and assist in the operating room for each procedure. Overall, I gained invaluable insight into the conditions most commonly encountered in the region and learned how to provide effective care despite limited resources, incomplete medical histories, and language barriers. This was my first international outreach experience and solidified my passion for global health and I hope to continue applying myself to local and global health efforts focused on equitable, community-centered, and sustainable care.