This past fall, Drs. Peter Kim and Cliff Fullerton travelled to Honduras with a team from Baptist Health to provide care to those in need. They provided treatment, and the patients provided perspective.
“Medical providers have countless opportunities to serve the communities where they practice. Even in our day-to-day patient care, we’re able to connect with families from all over the state. But taking your medical practice abroad requires a different kind of bravery — and a true calling on your heart … It offers a completely new perspective on the care we provide, a deeper appreciation for the system we work in and a renewed desire to improve the lives of those who live far away and have limited access to the kind of care we often take for granted,” Dr. Kim says.
Predisan Hospital Cristiano hosted the team of 26 healthcare providers, who spent five days caring for patients. More than 50 needed surgical care, and the medical team treated more than 240.
“We mainly provided minimally invasive surgeries for gallbladder diseases, but also treated hernias and soft-tissue tumors,” says Dr. Kim, who is a general surgeon at Baptist Health Medical Center and served on the surgical team.
Dr. Fullerton, SVP Chief Value Based Care Officer at Baptist Health, says the medical team treated mostly chronic diseases, respiratory infections and rashes and performed well checks on children and adults.
“The patients were extremely thankful,” he says. “This was a great blessing to the two teams. Many patients cried because they had waited so long to get their surgeries. They were so thankful to receive care and did not treat it as a transaction. I was reminded of the value of service simply to help people and the joy of helping people who are suffering. Not because of salary or goals to meet the demands of payers. Just a team working together to help."
Both doctors say the trip also reminded them of the importance of being part of a team.
“Participating in a medical mission trip is a truly unique experience for any healthcare provider. You find yourself practicing in an unfamiliar environment, often alongside providers you may not know well, while asking patients you’ve never met to place their trust in you and your team. This trip brought members of our medical community together, allowing us to build new bonds of trust and mutual respect,” Dr. Kim says. “Ultimately, for me, it reinforced the team mentality that is so vital to the care of a surgical patient. Whether it's the circulating nurse, surgical tech, CRNA, anesthesiologist, sterile instrument processor, preop or postop nurse, translator, chaplain or surgeon, the team does not function if one piece is missing.”
Beyond the work, Dr. Fullerton says new relationships were forged. “We have new friends,” he says. “There was laughter and fun and sharing that was made more meaningful because the physical conditions were not as comfortable as home, but we shared them together.”
Both doctors say they look forward to future missions to help underserved communities – because, in turn, they receive a renewed sense of gratitude and purpose.
“Helping others who have much less helps us appreciate what we have, be content with what we have and enjoy the pleasure of serving,” Dr. Fullerton says.
“Collectively, I hope that it becomes a large part of our mission,” says Dr. Kim. “Out of gratitude, we serve.”
"I was reminded of the value of service simply to help people and the joy of helping people who are suffering."
— Dr. Peter Kim