Meridian students make most of medical mission trip

A group of students recently had the chance to get out of the classroom for some real-world lessons.

Way, way out of the classroom.

Twelve first- and second-year students from the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM) took part in a medical mission trip to a small town in Guatemala to provide basic health screenings and bring health care to the rural community.

The students, who have recently returned to Idaho, were part of a team that treated residents in the town of Sacala, which has a population of about 2,000 people. They assisted with screenings of people ages 4 through 88 and distributed medicine where necessary. Students worked three eight-hour clinical days during the trip.

ICOM partnered with Global Brigades to make the week-long trip possible, giving its students the opportunity to connect with the community, the college said. Students were involved in educational activities that promoted hygiene, nutrition and disease prevention, the school stated. They also learned about the country’s history and culture.

“The most rewarding part of participating in mission trips is seeing the profound impact our limited resources can have on a community in need,” said Eric Hanzel, one of the student doctors who participated in the trip. “In regions where the nearest hospital is nearly two hours away by car and basic necessities like purified water and food are a challenge to afford, people often have to forego medical and dental visits to prioritize their families’ immediate needs.”

Hanzel added that while he and his fellow students couldn’t address all the issues the community faced, they were able to provide a “significant need” to the receptive community members.

Getting out of the classroom and into an entirely different environment was also beneficial for the students, who are often going outside of their comfort zone ― something that they will face regularly in their future careers.

“But that discomfort is exactly what prepares us to handle the unpredictability and emotional challenges we’ll face in our medical careers,” Hanzel said. “Having now served on two brigades, I’ve built both clinical confidence and strong relationships that have deeply shaped the kind of physician I am becoming. These experiences don’t just teach us medicine, they teach us humanity.”