As a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), I plan to take part in a medical mission trip with Ghana Make a Difference (GMAD) to serve underserved communities with limited access to surgical and anesthesia care. I will be providing anesthesia services, supporting patients through their recovery, and working closely with local healthcare teams to help ensure safe, high-quality care. GMAD’s focus on addressing healthcare disparities makes it possible to reach people who might not otherwise have access to treatment, and I hope to contribute in a way that improves outcomes and supports lasting impact in the communities served.
This project will benefit the underserved communities of Ghana with limited access to surgical and anesthesia care. I have chosen this population because access to safe surgical and anesthesia care is a fundamental component of healthcare, however, it remains unavailable to many people around the world. Improving access to safe, timely services will help reduce delays in treatment, improve health outcomes, and enhance quality of life.
I hope to contribute in a way that respects and supports the community while supporting the surgical team and providing safe care. I hope to grow both personally and professionally, become more adaptable, and gain a broader perspective on global healthcare.
During my medical mission with Ghana Make a Difference in Ghana, I provided anesthesia care and perioperative support for adult and pediatric patients undergoing a variety of surgical procedures. As a team, we triaged more than 600 patients, conducted 92 breast cancer screenings, and completed 180 surgical cases, including 78 plastic surgery procedures, 14 thyroid surgeries, 24 orthopedic procedures, and 64 hernia repairs. Being part of this effort allowed me to help expand access to pertinent surgical care for underserved individuals, making a difference not only in the lives of the patients treated but also in their families and communities.
