Micheal Snider, MD: Mountain Area Health Education Center, Transitional Year– PGY2

Honduras: January 2026

 My trip to Honduras with Shoulder to Shoulder was an incredible and formative experience. We were based in Camasca, Intibucá; traveling each day to a different rural, outlying community to set up temporary clinics. Each morning, our team would unload supplies and transform schools, community centers, or churches into functional medical spaces. I worked closely with a translator as we created a space to see patients, partnering together to ensure that every individual felt heard and understood.

  We spent long days seeing patients from morning into the afternoon. Beyond addressing their medical concerns, I was deeply moved by the opportunity to listen to their stories—learning about their families, their work, and the challenges they faced accessing care. Despite the language barrier, I found that meaningful connection transcended words. After evaluating each patient, I shared cases with an attending preceptor, then helped prescribe medications or arrange referrals for those needing more advanced care. A critical part of our work was building trust in the local health system and reinforcing relationships with the health department.

  One of the most impactful parts of each day was conducting home visits after clinic hours. Meeting patients where they lived provided invaluable insight into the social and environmental factors shaping their health. Evenings were spent debriefing as a team and participating in didactic sessions about the community, healthcare infrastructure, and regional medical context. This experience profoundly shaped my perspective and will continue to influence my approach to patient care.