Auburn's Global Medical Brigades revives chapter with Panama trip

Across campus, Honors students are returning from a well-deserved spring break, a chance to recharge before the final stretch of the semester. For many, it’s a time to relax — a step back from classes, work and deadlines.

But for some Honors College students, spring break, winter break and other breaks are opportunities to give back. Rather than taking time off, they dedicate their knowledge and passion to making a meaningful impact throughout the world. During winter break, several Honors students with Auburn’s Global Medical Brigades team did just that, traveling to Panama on a medical mission trip to serve communities in need.

Dedication to a cause

A dedicated team of 17 volunteers, 14 from Auburn, traveled to the Colcé region of Panama with the Auburn Chapter of Global Medical Brigades, a trip not taken since 2022.

Global Brigades is an international non-profit that uniquely implements a holistic model to meet a community’s health and economic needs. The goal of Auburn's chapter is to mobilize ideas and action for global health equality. Students implement medical brigades to provide access to health services in rural communities alongside doctors, staff and local leaders.

the honors influence

Through the dedication, planning and leadership of four Honors students, the university's chapter was rebuilt after a two-year hiatus, paving the way for future service opportunities.

Global Medical Brigades Vice President, Honors student ambassador and bio-medical major James Conway reflected on his transformative event when he said, "This experience made me realize just how blessed we are in the United States with the advanced practices and techniques that are common to us but would be revolutionary in the region we visited. As for my future goals, it definitely solidified my desire to pursue a career in medicine, as well as my specific career goal of international medical mission work."

putting in the work

The brigade consisted of five non-travel days, including one cultural experience day, a day dedicated to strategic research and three mobile clinic days. During the clinic days, volunteers provided essential services such as triage, general consultations, dental care, health education and pharmaceutical support to the local communities.  

Volunteers who participate in the brigade gain clinical experience, shadowing, public health education and much more. More information on Auburn's Global Medical Brigades Chapter can be found on AUInvolve. 

Story written by Kristen Fielding.