Medical Missions in the Dominican Republic

Gabrielle Cortese, MS-I, shared her personal experience after returning home from a recent outreach trip.

A small team of students, both DO and MSBS, along with Community and Global Health faculty members traveled to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in mid-December for a medical mission trip. They partnered with a local church, Iglesia Comunitaria Kefalé, and conducted four clinics in four different churches within the city of Santo Domingo. The team treated 775 patients during that time.

First-year medical student, Gabrielle Cortese, shared her testimony from the trip below:

"Humbled. Inspired. Grateful. There are far too many words and far too few pictures to capture this past week serving in the Dominican Republic. I am humbled by the work that was done and yet so much that still needs to be done to help these people with their medical needs. I am inspired by the people I got to work alongside as well as the patients we treated. Despite the great need for medical care, gratitude and generosity flowed out of them onto us every day. The translators were tremendously helpful and gracious when my Spanish was less than good (which was quite often). The translators and the churches we partnered with have such a heart for their people and continually inspired me as they loved each and every person that walked through the door. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve others through medicine, prayer, and the washing of their feet. Health is one of the few things that transcends all boundaries and barriers, even cultural and language barriers. My dream of becoming a physician that leans in, listens attentively, values each patient as a person, and does all that is in my power to comfort and care for their needs became more tangible this week."

Gabrielle Cortese, MS-I, washes the feet of a small child in a clinic in the Dominican Republic.