Dr. Michael Nowak and two Physician Assistant Studies students at Emory & Henry College School of Health Sciences traveled to remote Guatemalan villages to deliver aid to hundreds of people and practice skills related to their field during winter break 2021.
Knoxville resident Dr. Nowak has directed this medical mission for 10 years, bringing physician assistant students to communities in need. The missions allow students to learn and practice medical and interpersonal skills they need to excel in their careers. The 10th annual mission aided 700 people in the week that they were in Guatemala. First-year physician assistant students at Emory & Henry Lindsay Brumfield, from Hillsville, VA, and Alyssa Gottschalk, from Westminster, CO, spoke about their experiences during the week-long mission.
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From left to right: Lindsay Brumfield, Dr. Michael Nowak and Alyssa Gottschalk
“Leaving Guatemala almost didn’t feel right,” Brumfield said. “This trip gave me more confidence to work with patients and was a rewarding experience.”
Gottschalk added, “This was easily one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had. I was able to travel and learn medicine at the same time, all while providing care to people who needed it.”
Emory & Henry’s mission raised money to purchase and deliver eyeglasses, diabetic supplies, walking aids and wheelchairs to the mountain villages. Dr. Nowak and his students aided with dozens of births and c-sections as well as learning medical diagnostic skills, pediatric and geriatric care, and medical Spanish throughout the mission. Dr. Nowak cited the experience as “one of the highlights they will never forget for the rest of their lives.”
At the end of the week-long mission, a banquet was held in honor of the 10th anniversary of the mission. The Governor attended the banquet and delivered certificates of appreciation to Dr. Nowak and the students. “I think it’s great what Dr. Nowak and the Certified Medical Educators are doing,” said Gottschalk.
