Dr. Tracey Herstich, Clinical Associate Professor and Undergraduate Chair of the Byers School of Nursing at Walsh University and nurse practitioner in pediatric surgery and pre-surgical services at Akron Children’s Hospital, led her first medical mission trip this month, delivering essential health care services to underserved communities in Guatemala. She was joined by Dr. Christina Gabele, an Associate Clinical Professor at Walsh and nurse practitioner in pre-surgical services at Summa Health System, along with Walsh University alum Tyler Shrout, a 2022 graduate and pediatric intensive care unit nurse at Akron Children’s Hospital. Together, they partnered with CoffeeMed, a local agency, to provide critical care to residents of San Juan del Obispo and San Antonio Aguas Calientes.
Over four days, the team transformed a small clinic into a lifeline, treating about 240 patients—many of whom had never seen a doctor or nurse, even in their 50s or 60s. They addressed conditions like hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, dengue fever, and skin issues with determination and compassion. Despite initial challenges, including delayed medical supplies, the team quickly adapted by purchasing a glucose monitor and making home visits, ensuring that no patient was left behind.
“They were deeply grateful for the care we provided,” said Herstich. “When you bring together a team of servant leaders and provide access to basic necessities like medical care, it allows people in these communities to experience the dignity they deserve.”
For Herstich, the most rewarding part of the trip was watching her team members experience a shift in their worldview. “Once you see communities and individuals living in extreme poverty, your life is never the same,” she said. “You will never forget what it looks like to walk into a person’s home that may lack stable housing, where families cook over open fires and have few physical possessions. Those experiences forever change the way you view the world.”
For Shrout, the trip was particularly meaningful as it connected his Walsh education to real-world scenarios. He saw firsthand how lessons about poverty and vulnerable populations applied in practice. Encountering communities living on less than $2 a day left a lasting impression on the entire team, emphasizing the harsh realities of extreme poverty.
Dr. Gabele shared a similar sentiment. “It was incredible to see their smiles and the deep gratitude they showed for receiving even basic medical care. Honestly, they change our worldview more than we change theirs,” she said.
The mission reinforced the values of servant leadership that are central to Walsh University’s mission of serving underserved communities. “When we see injustice, such as a lack of access to basic medical care, we are called to respond,” Herstich emphasized. “While we may not solve these challenges in a week, we can bring dignity and respect to those we serve, and that has a lasting impact.”
