Several members of the Northeast Texas Community College family recently traveled to Guatemala to provide medical care and support through a long-standing medical mission serving communities near San Raymundo.
The team included Dr. Gerald Stagg, recently appointed to the NTCC Board of Trustees; Kelly Fowler, Associate Professor of Nursing in the Vocational Nursing Program; vocational nursing student Kamryn Twilley; Dr. Nancy Wilson, Professor and Director of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program; and Jessica Plancarte, social work student.
The mission is based at Hospital Cristiano del Llano in San Raymundo, Guatemala, approximately 20 miles from Guatemala City. The ministry was established more than 30 years ago by First Baptist Church of Texarkana. In 2007, First Baptist Church Mount Pleasant began participating, and in 2010 was asked to assume leadership of the primary mission team. Today, the effort continues through a strong partnership between American volunteers and local Guatemalan leaders.
The advanced team departed June 9, while the main team arrived June 12. During just four and a half days of clinic operations, volunteers helped facilitate nearly 80 surgeries while also providing pharmacy services, physician consultations, triage, post-operative care, and children's ministry activities.
Fowler spent the week working in post-operative care, while Twilley gained hands-on experience in both triage and post-operative recovery.
"The Medical Mission trip to San Raymundo was an amazing experience," Fowler said. "The days were long, but every moment was worth it. We were able to care for so many patients with limited resources, and it was incredible to see our team come together to serve others. It was especially meaningful to share the experience with one of our nursing students and see learning extend far beyond the classroom."
Clinic days began before sunrise and often continued late into the evening. Volunteers started each day with breakfast and team announcements before opening the clinic, with medical teams frequently caring for patients well after normal operating hours.
"I’ve been going for several years and have been the only PT working with patients at the compound. It’s been a great experience to work with many patients that can’t get therapy and instruction needed to help them continue working and providing for their families," Wilson said. "It’s always satisfying to help people who desperately need it."
The experience provided valuable real-world learning opportunities for NTCC students while allowing faculty and community volunteers to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients who have limited access to medical care.
Through service opportunities such as this, NTCC students and faculty continue to demonstrate the college's commitment to learning, leadership, and community engagement both locally and around the world.
