Katherine Kiley, MD: Mountain Area Health Education Center, Family Medicine- PGY1

Honduras: January 2025

 I feel incredibly fortunate to work with MAHEC, an organization that has partnered with Shoulder to Shoulder for nearly 17 years. Together, we've made biannual trips to the town of Camasca, Honduras. On my most recent trip, we ventured into more rural, remote areas to provide healthcare to individuals who are far from basic medical services. During this trip, our team provided a wide range of care, from preventative fluoride treatments to diagnosing and managing diabetes, as well as administering injections for osteoarthritis. We also distributed medications for various conditions, including insomnia and angina.

  In addition to clinic work, we conducted home visits, often hiking or driving to reach the most critically ill and homebound patients. One particularly impactful case involved a woman suffering from severe peripheral artery disease, which had led to necrosis in her toe. After discussing options with her family, we provided pain relief and arranged for her to get a referral for a hospital several hours away. These types of complex cases were also discussed with local health promoters, ensuring that patients received the necessary care while we worked to allocate resources as effectively as possible.

  At the local health clinic in Camasca, we also performed screenings, biopsies, and cyst removals. This experience was deeply impactful, and it has inspired me to continue pursuing global healthcare initiatives. More immediately, it has enhanced the way I care for my immigrant and Central American patients in clinic today. Gaining even a small understanding of their cultural backgrounds and the challenges they may have faced in their countries of origin enables me to provide more compassionate, comprehensive care—focused on the whole person.