Arsa Ghazal, DO: Inova, Family Medicine Residency PGY3

Honduras: February 2025

 As a family medicine physician, continuity of care is so important, and an imperative aspect of family medicine to make connections and build trust in the community. I have been fortunate enough to travel to Pinares, Honduras for the second time during my residency. I am grateful that our practice has physicians travel to the village every 3-4 months to ensure ongoing continuity to provide care for the Honduran population. I even was able to follow up with patients from last year! From managing blood pressure and diabetes to doing joint injections to aid with mobility, the experience has truly been an unforgettable one.

  We spent a week in Honduras, and in addition to having an established clinic running throughout the day, we had a group travel to the smaller elementary schools throughout 4 communities to provide care to children. We were able to set up several stations including a dental station (for fluoride application), vision testing, weight monitoring for the nutrition program, physicians’ area for an examinations, and an area for pharmacy. We were able to monitor weight and make a growth chart over the last several years to ensure that the kids in the region are receiving adequate nutrition and to aid in their nutrition program.

  Many experiences come to mind, but one that will stay with me was a 7-year-old child who walked 5 miles to the clinic because he had “gripe”, or the flu, and needed Tylenol for his fever. Many patients wait until our brigade comes to the community to be able to have access to healthcare. I am fortunate enough to have been a part of this experience, and plan to continue to travel to underserved regions to help provide health care to those who need it the most.