My name is Caden, and I'm a rising third year medical student who took this week right after I took USMLE Step 1. One week ago, I returned from a nine-day medical mission trip to La Union, El Salvador with Global Health Outreach (GHO). I joined a team of 45 volunteers—including medical students, physicians, dentists, psychologists, and nurses—to serve a community with limited access to medical care.
We partnered with Obed Diaz, director of Escuela Cristiana Oasis, who graciously opened his school so we could transform classrooms into clinic spaces. Over the course of the week, we treated 965 patients, issued over 400 prescriptions, handed out 514 pairs of glasses, and provided dental care to more than 80 individuals. 51 individuals came to know Christ that week!
As a medical student, I helped with triage, took patient histories with translators, and worked closely with physicians across family medicine, pediatrics, and dermatology. One day, I helped Dr. Burkett counsel an elderly woman with frozen shoulder—while surgery wasn’t an option, we taught her home exercises and gave her acetaminophen to ease the pain. Another day, I worked with Dr. Metcalf, who identified and treated a patient with a rare case of superficial basal cell carcinoma, and Dr. James, who treated a child with pneumonia.
Many of the conditions we saw—diabetes, hypertension, chronic pain—are common in the U.S. too. But in La Union, the difference is access. Some patients hadn’t had medications for months. Others traveled hours just to reach us. Several presented with dangerously high blood pressure or blood sugar levels simply because they couldn’t afford care or had no one nearby to help.
It was both humbling and inspiring to witness the resilience of this community. This trip reminded me why I chose medicine—to meet people where they are, to listen, and to help however I can. I'm so incredibly grateful for this opportunity -- as Dr. Whitener will tell you, "this trip changes you!"
Prayer requests:
For the people of La Union, that they would find sustainable access to healthcare.
For the local church and leaders like Obed Diaz, that they’d be strengthened in their ongoing support of the community.
For wisdom and endurance for the volunteers preparing to return to La Union in the future.
That God would continue to build His Kingdom in El Salvador!
We partnered with Obed Diaz, director of Escuela Cristiana Oasis, who graciously opened his school so we could transform classrooms into clinic spaces. Over the course of the week, we treated 965 patients, issued over 400 prescriptions, handed out 514 pairs of glasses, and provided dental care to more than 80 individuals. 51 individuals came to know Christ that week!
As a medical student, I helped with triage, took patient histories with translators, and worked closely with physicians across family medicine, pediatrics, and dermatology. One day, I helped Dr. Burkett counsel an elderly woman with frozen shoulder—while surgery wasn’t an option, we taught her home exercises and gave her acetaminophen to ease the pain. Another day, I worked with Dr. Metcalf, who identified and treated a patient with a rare case of superficial basal cell carcinoma, and Dr. James, who treated a child with pneumonia.
Many of the conditions we saw—diabetes, hypertension, chronic pain—are common in the U.S. too. But in La Union, the difference is access. Some patients hadn’t had medications for months. Others traveled hours just to reach us. Several presented with dangerously high blood pressure or blood sugar levels simply because they couldn’t afford care or had no one nearby to help.
It was both humbling and inspiring to witness the resilience of this community. This trip reminded me why I chose medicine—to meet people where they are, to listen, and to help however I can. I'm so incredibly grateful for this opportunity -- as Dr. Whitener will tell you, "this trip changes you!"
Prayer requests:
For the people of La Union, that they would find sustainable access to healthcare.
For the local church and leaders like Obed Diaz, that they’d be strengthened in their ongoing support of the community.
For wisdom and endurance for the volunteers preparing to return to La Union in the future.
That God would continue to build His Kingdom in El Salvador!