Day 3: Patients First

Today we started early at 6 am for breakfast. We had a winding mountainous ride to the community we were serving. I wasn't sure what to expect today. When we got there, there was already a line forming. We quickly set up stations, intake, triage, doctor, dentist, and pharmacy. I was excited to be placed with the doctors. I learned that many of the diagnoses are the same as in the US. The doctor I was with was extremely friendly and spoke English, so he translated for me. The patience he had for me was incredible. I learned that many people here in Panama suffer from parasites because of poor water quality. 


The patient interactions that impacted me today were the families who came for general care and minor prescriptions. In the US, we take for granted access to medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Some of these people traveled far to come get pain relief for a few days yet were patient and kind. They were happy to get the care we were providing. 

Even with the language barrier, the patients made eye contact, described their symptoms, and treated me with respect. I will never forget this. Coming into tomorrow, I want to make sure I practice a few phrases in Spanish to help the people feel more at ease. I'm excited to work with the dentist and the patients tomorrow. 

Comments

  1. Felecia SernaMarch 12, 2026 at 5:54 PM

    Good job today, working with the doc is very important and I am sure very eye opening to things we so easily take for granted in the states.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day 1 Panama: Readiness & Responsibility

Image
 Coming on this trip means a lot to me. I have always wanted to make an impact in another country, so this opportunity is incredible and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The attitude I am bringing with me is patience and flexibility. We will have many personalities on this trip, so meeting people where they are and accepting that is hopefully going to impact the experience.  The day started early at 5am to get on the plane to Panama. Waking up early and showing up on time for the flight was priority one. Going through security as a group was important for a smooth travel experience. The flight was great, and I slept most of the time. Once we got off the plane, we went through TSA as a group, the group aspect of this mission trip has been very impactful to the future nurse I aspire to become. Once we landed, global brigades were there to meet us and load our bags onto the bus. I am thankful the bus has air-conditioning. I chose to sit in the back of the bus. Unfortunately, it w...
Read more

Day 7: Taking it home

Image
 This experience in Panama has opened my eyes to the diversity of healthcare systems in other countries. Seeing healthcare delivered with very limited resources helped me understand that nursing is not only about technology, medications, or advanced equipment, it's about compassion, adaptability, and truly meeting patients where they are. The healthcare professionals I observed relied heavily on their clinical judgement, teamwork, and communication skills to care for patients. This experience reminded me that the heart of nursing is service. One habit I will carry home is the importance of humility. Being in another culture reminded me that nurses are always learning and must approach patients with respect and openness. I saw how important teamwork and accountability are when caring for people with limited resources. We all worked together to support one another and make the most of what's available.  Because of what I experienced in Panama I understand that many people face b...
Read more

Day 2: Teamwork & Communication

Image
Today was a great day. We had a wonderful breakfast waiting for us. Fresh pineapple and watermelon are my favorites! We set out for the town of Toza. Once in the community we set out with our global brigade interpreters. We met a family that were so welcoming. They pulled chairs out of their house for us to sit and be comfortable. We were given the assignment to ask survey questions in Spanish. I was very intimidated, however, I stepped up and completed the survey. I have learned even though we may speak different languages you can still make connections with people. The woman I interviewed was very patient with my poor Spanish. I learned that most girls are not taught about menstruation. Also, most women have cesarean sections for birth as the doctor is only available so many days a month. We didn’t meet many children today, but I was able to find a couple of girls waiting for the bus to give some chalk and bubbles to. Seeing their faces light up will remain in my heart forever. Many ...
Read more