John C Norbert, MD: Cone Health, Family Medicine – PGY2

Honduras: February 2025

 My trip to Honduras was incredibly rewarding and an experience that will stay with me for the rest of my life and career. I had the privilege of being part of a multidisciplinary team, including professionals from pharmacy, nursing, public health, and medicine. Together, we collaborated to provide medical care to the small village of Gauchi, where access to basic healthcare is extremely limited. While the experience was deeply gratifying, it was also humbling, giving me a newfound appreciation for the healthcare access I often take for granted.

 During my time in Honduras, I primarily cared for patients with diabetes, hypertension, urinary tract infections, dehydration, and headaches caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. Many families cook with firewood inside their homes, which are enclosed spaces with poor ventilation, leading to a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide—something rarely encountered in the U.S.

 One of the most complex cases I treated was a 95-year-old patient with heart failure and fluid overload, which had led to venous stasis ulcers on her legs. The wounds were infected due to fluid retention. I was able to manage her heart failure, clean and dress her wounds, and initiate antibiotic treatment.

 This experience was truly life-changing, and I am incredibly grateful for the financial support from the Ben Josephson Fund, which made it possible. I will always cherish and appreciate this opportunity.