Returning to Antigua, Guatemala, for my fifth Surgicorps International mission was, once again, a heartwarming, eye-opening, and humbling experience. Over the years, Surgicorps has given me the opportunity to return to a place that has become very special to me, reconnect with friends I have made along the way, and meet new volunteers who share the same passion for service. This year, our team of 34 volunteers came together with one shared mission: to provide free surgical care to patients who often travel nearly 12 hours to reach the hospital, carrying with them the hope that we can help them feel better. In just one week, our team performed 148 surgeries and cared for countless patients and families.
My journey with Surgicorps began when I was a medical student living in Costa Rica. Now, years later, I have the privilege of returning as a general surgery resident. Coming back each year has allowed me to see this experience from different perspectives as I have grown in my own medical training. What has remained the same is the gratitude of the patients, the dedication of the volunteers, and the feeling that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. Every trip reminds me why I chose medicine in the first place—the privilege of caring for others and the incredible reward of helping someone feel better. I return home grateful for the patients who trusted us, the friends who continue to make this journey special, and the Surgicorps family that keeps bringing us back.
