Sanford School of Medicine Service Trip to Guatemala
A white-stoned church overlooks the crystal blue waters of Lake Atitlán in the Guatemalan town of San Lucas Toliman. This 500-year-old church is the home of the Friends of San Lucas Mission, a non-profit organization serving the local community by providing residents access to health care and education. Shaped by the philosophy of Latin American liberation theology and a belief in a “preferential option for the poor,” the community workers and volunteers of Friends of San Lucas fight to overcome the social, economic and health care disparities faced by Guatemalans.
The University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine (SSOM) Medical Outreach Mission (affectionately referred to as “Guat’s Up” among students) has been sending students to San Lucas Toliman for many years and completed their second trip since the COVID pandemic in June of 2023.
Each day the students set up tables: six for consults, one for triage and one for the free pharmacy filled with donated medications from the U.S. At each table, a first-year and a fourth-year student interviewed and examined the patients, conferred, took notes and then presented to one of the three attending physicians. The plan was adjusted as needed, medications were provided and the patients sent on their way. This rather simple system managed to serve over 330 patients, providing services ranging from vitamins and anti-parasitic medications to first ultrasounds of babies for expectant mothers.
Still, international medicine poses unique challenges. Disease runs beyond available testing and treatments. Language and cultural barriers add a layer of difficulty to interviews, and medications run out rapidly. But every barrier is an opportunity to overcome. Local translators not only bridged the language gap, but built relationships with students: laughing, talking and swapping WhatsApp numbers to keep in touch. Referrals to robust hypertension and diabetes programs through the local hospital provided a means of sustainable solutions. Students and faculty made personal donations toward the purchase of additional antibiotics and vitamins.
The USD SSOM Guatemala trip is a testimony to resilience and growth and provides an opportunity for students to experience humility and education through service, and to impact equity and equality in a world filled with health care disparities.
Tiffany Knecht, MS2
Despite these fears, there was no question that this trip was the right opportunity for me. So, in the midst of a sea of fear, I dove right in, and it turned out to be the highlight of my medical school journey so far.
Being pushed out of my comfort zone and asked to think on my feet and put myself out there when suggesting differentials and treatment options to the attending physician was the best thing for my learning style and personality. I learned how to be comfortable with being uncomfortable and embrace challenges as opportunities to grow. I am deeply grateful for the encouragement and guidance I received from the Pillar 3 medical students and attending physicians; the experience would not have been the same without them.
Now, I am more motivated than ever to refine my skills and, someday, mentor younger students on future trips. This journey wasn’t just a milestone – it was a turning point in my medical education.
Leah Naasz, MS3
From the start, this opportunity profoundly shaped my journey as a medical student. Participating as a first-year medical student was a transformative experience that significantly impacted the trajectory of my clinical learning.
During the first year, education primarily focuses on didactic learning, with limited opportunities to gather patient histories, diagnose, manage care plans and dispense medications. The Guatemala trip, however, offers a unique chance to engage in all these aspects of patient care within a diverse and resource-limited setting. Attending the trip as a first-year student gave me the hands-on experience and confidence to excel in clinical rotations. The trip also allowed me to bridge classroom knowledge with real-world application. Observing and learning from fourth-year students and attending physicians during the clinics we held further deepened my understanding and reinforced my clinical skills.
Returning the following year as a second-year student (Pillar 2), I embraced the opportunity to pass on what I had learned to first-year students. Mentoring them was both fulfilling and inspiring, as I saw them grow in their skills and confidence. As I prepared to lead the trip as a third-year student (Pillar 3), I was even more excited to guide and mentor the next cohort of student physicians.
Beyond its impact on my medical education, this trip has instilled in me a profound appreciation for medically underserved communities. Witnessing the warmth and generosity of the Guatemalan people, who selflessly welcomed us into their homes, communities and lives, was a humbling and eye-opening experience. It is truly astounding how they are willing to give what limited resources they have to us with no questions asked. I am eternally thankful for their generosity and the connections we have made with their community throughout the years.
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