Kimberly Jayne, MD: Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital, Family and Community Medicine Residency- PGY3

Peru: September 2025

 For a month during August to September 2025, I had the opportunity to complete a medical elective in Trujillo, Peru. The elective was designed with 2 main portions: medical Spanish training so that I could independently provide care and participation in community health fairs. Medical Spanish classes were held 4 hours per day for 4 days per week. During that time, I learned both Spanish grammar and medical vocabulary. The rest of the time was spent on preparation and participation in community health fairs at 1) Huanchaco in the province of Trujillo, Peru 2) in urban Trujillo in a meal center for folks experiencing difficulty affording healthy food, and 3) in a park in Trujillo for anyone in the community unable to afford care/readily access care. I learned that public health care in Peru is often delayed and difficult to access. Many patients get left behind in the system because they cannot afford medications recommended by doctors, such as ibuprofen, tylenol, or diclofenac oral medication/gel for chronic pain.

  During these fairs, I performed care for both acute and chronic problems, similar to the style of urgent care in the United States in that we could triage problems, prescribe medications, and make recommendations for follow up in the short-term. We had some medications on-site and also a physical therapist who could make plans for home exercises. The larger fair in the park also included gynecologists, psychiatrists, and pediatricians for specialized care. Throughout the month, I greatly improved my Spanish skills while providing medical care in this unique setting in Peru, both of which are experiences/skills I hope to build upon in my future medical missions.

  I am so incredibly grateful to have had this opportunity. Thank you to all who committed time, finances, and prayer to support my medical elective in Peru.