I will be joining an orthopedic global health team traveling to the Dominican Republic from October 3–10, 2026, to provide orthopedic care in partnership with local healthcare providers and community organizations.
I am a physician assistant and was invited to join the team on short notice after an unexpected need arose for additional clinical support. Although the timing required me to rearrange my schedule, I felt strongly about making myself available. I will be taking unpaid PTO from my regular clinical position in order to volunteer my time and skills for the week.
As part of the orthopedic team, I will assist with the care of patients with orthopedic and trauma related conditions and support the team wherever my clinical skills are most needed. I am excited for the opportunity to contribute as a PA while learning from both the multidisciplinary team and our local partners.
Because I was invited shortly before departure, I have had very limited time to financially prepare for the trip or pursue the usual funding opportunities. The program fee is approximately $1,500, in addition to airfare and other travel expenses. Combined with a week of unpaid PTO, participating represents a substantial personal financial commitment. Grant support would allow me to respond to this unexpected clinical need without the financial burden becoming a barrier to serving.
Our team will serve patients and communities in the Dominican Republic, including the area surrounding Azua. We will focus on individuals in need of orthopedic and trauma related care, including patients who may face barriers to accessing specialty orthopedic services.
Orthopedic injuries can have lasting consequences when appropriate care is difficult to access. Limitations in mobility can affect a person's independence, ability to work, and ability to care for their family. I hope that my participation as a physician assistant will add clinical capacity to the team and help us provide thoughtful, compassionate care to as many patients as we can safely serve during the week.
This opportunity is particularly meaningful because I was asked to join after the team identified a last-minute need for additional clinical support. I am grateful to be in a position where my training can help meet that need, and I am willing to take unpaid time away from my regular position to participate.
The immediate impact of this project will be increasing the clinical capacity of the orthopedic team during our week in the Dominican Republic. As a PA, I hope to contribute directly to patient evaluation and care, support the orthopedic team, and help the group serve patients efficiently and compassionately.
I also expect the experience to have an impact well beyond this one week. Practicing in a resource limited environment provides an opportunity to learn how clinicians adapt when resources, specialty services, and follow-up options may differ substantially from those available in my everyday practice. I hope to return with a greater understanding of global health, resource-conscious care, cultural humility, and the barriers patients face in accessing orthopedic treatment.
I plan to share my experience and photographs from the trip, when appropriate and with respect for patient privacy and consent, to help raise awareness of global health service opportunities and encourage other clinicians to become involved.
Most importantly I hope this will not be a one-time experience. I would like to continue participating in orthopedic outreach and global health initiatives throughout my career as a PA. Grant support would make it possible for me to say yes to this unexpected opportunity to serve while offsetting the significant financial impact of the program fee, travel expenses, and unpaid time away from work.
I had the incredible opportunity to spend a week in Baní, Dominican Republic, working alongside a dedicated orthopedic surgical team to provide trauma and orthopedic care to patients in the local community. Throughout the week, we cared for individuals with a variety of orthopedic injuries and conditions, performing surgeries and providing treatments that could make a meaningful difference in their mobility, independence, and quality of life.
What made this experience so special was the people. Many of the patients we met faced challenges accessing the specialized care they needed, yet they showed such incredible strength, resilience, and gratitude. It was truly humbling to be welcomed into their community and to play even a small role in their care.
As a physician assistant, I was grateful to work alongside such a compassionate and talented team, as well as the local healthcare providers who made this work possible. This experience reminded me why I chose a career in medicine and how meaningful it is to use our skills to serve others.
I went into this trip hoping to make a difference in the lives of our patients, but I left feeling that they had made just as much of an impact on me. I am incredibly thankful to the Doximity Foundation for helping make this opportunity possible. It is an experience I will carry with me throughout my career, and I hope it is just the beginning of many more opportunities to give back through medicine.
