MAHEC Brigade: IM, Psych, FM, Pharmacy and TY Residents

Honduras: August 2026

 This year, we had our largest interprofessional group ever with over 30 participants. It also marked my 20th brigade to Honduras through Shoulder to Shoulder. Over the years we have been growing our group to enable us to see two different aldeas per day while incorporating all of our residents and pathway students. I was so proud of all of our learners this year which included: High school and college students; 4th year medical students; FM, IM, psychiatry and TY residents; and pharmacy residents. We were accompanied by 3 faculty members including myself, another FM faculty and a psychiatrist from MAHEC.

 In total, we saw over 1000 patients, performed more than 200 ultrasounds, around 175 large joint injections, 100 PT sessions and coordinated over 250 follow-ups to the Centro de Salud. We provided maternity, pediatric, geriatric, sports medicine, PT and end of life care. Our niche has become chronic disease management and it is such a pleasure to see many of the same patients from year to year. We distributed about $10,000 worth of medications to the region using a formulary that mirrors for the most part what they have in the public health system. We see our role as capacitators of the STS Centro system which generally has a new physician there every year. Because they are so short-staffed, we are typically the only providers to actually go into the rural aldeas.

 Our brigade also focuses on education, both to our participants but also to the members of the public health team who often works with us shoulder to shoulder. We were able to distribute 100% of our remaining supplies to the Centro de Salud to assure they have adequate meds until our next brigade in February.

 Our team also spent a day at the high school giving public health talks and seeing the children in concert with our PhD level psychologist who works year-round in the HS. Through her, we coordinate our psychiatric team who help supervise and see adolescent patients.

 It was great trip for all of us and always reminds us why we keep returning to Camasca – we truly have a longitudinal relationship them. We learn from them and are constantly reminded of the importance of service in medicine.

 Thank you so much for supporting us, it is very meaningful and a financial make or break for our residents.