GCU Medical Mission Team Ventures on a Transformative Journey
For nearly half an hour, Grand Canyon University (GCU) medical mission team members braved the rugged terrain of Costa Rica’s remote regions. Their journey began at the base of the Talamanca Mountains in Grano de Oro, ascending 2,000 feet over a stretch of five strenuous miles to the cloud-kissed forests of Alto Almirante. This journey wasn't just an ascent through challenging topography, but an imperative mission—a step towards humanitarian service to some of the most secluded indigenous communities of Costa Rica.
A Collaborative Effort in Remote Areas
The mission, in partnership with Well Child International, was a nine-day exploration into the heart of Costa Rica’s remote indigenous settlements. The team consisted of almost two dozen GCU pre-health students, two GCU parents, and College of Natural Sciences professor, Dr. Mark Wireman, who dedicated themselves to this impactful journey.
Dividing into two efficient groups enabled the medical mission to reach more individuals. While 17 people embarked on the challenging hike into the mountains, a second team of nine people stayed back in Grano de Oro to serve the local residents there. This division allowed the team to maximize their impact by reaching different segments of the population simultaneously.
The Grueling Hikes and the Connections Made
Connor Akin, a recent GCU biology and pre-physician assistant graduate, described the grueling hikes as a key part of the mission. Traversing 8 to 10 kilometers was one thing, but the day hikes to more remote settlements became some of the most physically demanding experiences. Akin emphasized the physical challenge of hiking through shin-high mud with 40-pound backpacks, containing essential supplies and medical items. Yet, amidst adversity, he found beauty in the natural surroundings and connections formed with the local people.
Maiya Swanson, another aspiring physician assistant, related the constant upward climb as a strenuous challenge yet rewarding journey. Witnessing the wildlife, including a cobra and various insects, was a part of the adventure that defined their unique journey.
Challenges of Healthcare in Secluded Settlements
Access to the indigenous Cabécar settlements required thorough approval and guidance by a local pastor, Simeon, who leveraged his relationships within the community to allow the GCU team access.
Staying at a local school in Alto Almirante, the GCU team took day hikes to engage with indigenous people in their homes. These visits initiated a series of preliminary assessments, leading to thorough evaluations and treatments at the week’s end clinic in collaboration with local Costa Rican medical professionals.
Swanson recalled poignant moments with patients who spoke to her in Spanish of their medical plights, such as a man with a poorly healing machete-induced wound and women suffering from long-unattended fractures and tuberculosis. Swanson worked tirelessly to organize treatment for those in critical need and discussed societal issues faced by indigenous women marrying young and dealing with infections rarely seen in modern facilities.
Involvement Grows with Passionate Participants
Adding to the team’s expertise were two GCU student parents, Dr. Chad Sheron, a dentist, and family nurse practitioner Kellie Enderson. Dr. Sheron, on his first mission trip, focused primarily on educating locals about dental care due to the prevalence of infections and decay. Limited resources meant focusing on exams, screenings, and hygiene education, rather than surgical interventions. He took to this mission not only as an opportunity to connect with his son but also found profound meaning in his practice.
Enderson joined her daughter, Aliyah Fortner, bringing additional medical care capacity to the team’s efforts, reinforcing the power of diverse experiences and professional collaboration in medical missions.
Transformative Personal and Professional Growth
Students and participants alike found that the medical mission impacted them as much personally as professionally. Connor Akin reflected on the multitude of medical cases encountered—from fungal infections to complex conditions such as fetal alcohol syndrome—and the awareness of community-based risk factors and health education needs.
Yet, the connections made with peers and indigenous children through simple interactions, like playing soccer, enriched his perspective, showing the profound, mutual impact of service and learning. He noted that their interactions helped redefine his worldview, providing a nuanced understanding of community, belief systems, and resilience—a mark the Cabécar people left within him.
Swanson echoed the idea of changed perspectives and larger life lessons learned from interactions with Pastor Simeon, who shared cultural childbirth practices within the Cabécar community. Stories of solitude and loss illuminated the critical need for compassion, resilience, and the simplicity of finding gratitude in the smallest aspects of life.
Looking Ahead: A Mission Worth Repeating
For Dr. Mark Wireman, witnessing the GCU students' bonding and development of skills and compassion in patient care stood as one of the mission’s significant triumphs. Although marred by challenges, the mission demonstrated remarkable human connectivity, resilience, and the power of enduring community-based contributions.
The shared purpose of service became a cornerstone of the mission, crafting a unique narrative for each participant. Their collective experiences and personal stories now inspire continued growth in their respective medical careers, and renewed values of empathy and service.
Overall, the experience proved pivotal in shaping their future paths, and the shared mission forged bonds fostering lasting, transformative qualities. Through resilience, collaboration, and understanding, the GCU team’s humble contribution rendered a ripple effect of goodwill and hope that reverberated from Costa Rica’s secluded mountains and into their everyday lives.
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