This project seeks to increase access to sports medicine care, education, and preventive services for underserved communities by bringing direct services and sports health education. The initiative draws from the community focused efforts of Carlos Delgado’s Extra Bases foundation and partner Direct Relief, which work to improve pediatric health outcomes and access to care on the island.
Children and families in medically underserved regions of Puerto Rico including areas outside of San Juan, including local youth baseball players from Carlos Delgado's foundation "Extra Bases." This population is important because many children and families across Puerto Rico struggle to access consistent, affordable healthcare due to socioeconomic barriers, limited transportation, and fewer medical resources in rural areas.
The expected impact is to increase community knowledge of preventive sports health practices to lessen injuries in vulnerable youth athletes. With proper education and foundation, better sports health practices can lead to better outcomes for patients.
Traveling from New Jersey to Ponce, Puerto Rico with RWJBarnabas Health Global Health and Direct Relief was more than a medical mission—it was a reminder of why service, compassion, and human connection are at the heart of medicine. Working alongside medical students from Ponce Health Sciences University, our team provided sports medicine specialty care to members of the local community.
Throughout the trip, we evaluated and treated patients with chronic musculoskeletal injuries, overuse conditions, joint pain, and mobility limitations that had affected their ability to work, exercise, and enjoy daily life. Whether it was helping an athlete return to activity, teaching a patient exercises to improve function, or simply listening to someone, every interaction carried meaning.
One of the most impactful parts of the mission was collaborating directly with the medical students in Ponce. The students brought incredible energy, cultural insight, and dedication to the clinic. Together, we learned from one another while building trust with patients and strengthening the connection between education and service.
This experience reminded me that medicine extends far beyond procedures, imaging, or diagnoses. Some of the most meaningful moments came from small acts—taking extra time with a patient, offering reassurance, or helping someone feel seen and heard. I witnessed firsthand how access to specialized care can transform confidence, mobility, and quality of life.
I returned home with a deeper appreciation for service-based medicine. This trip reminded me that the impact of healthcare is not measured only in treatments performed, but in relationships built. Experiences like this inspire future healthcare professionals to step outside of their comfort zones, use their skills to serve others, and recognize that even a single mission trip can leave a lasting impact on both the patients treated and the providers themselves.
