VCOM 2025 Annual Report

66

I nternational experiences for medical students can be educational and inspiring. Often the VCOM International outreach program is the first opportunity for students to compare healthcare in the United States to that in developing countries. VCOM students have the opportunity, working with VCOM faculty, staff, and volunteer alumni, to provide care for patients who come from remote and medically underserved areas in Honduras, the Dominican Republic, and El Salvador. Through these experiences, students develop an appreciation for what care means to a patient who does not have healthcare access. In addition, students learn the importance of health promotion and disease prevention. In 2025-2026, over 282 students participated in the international outreach trips to Honduras and the Dominican Republic. In 2026-2027 academic year, with improved safety in the country, the students will also return to El Salvador to provide such care. Working on the international outreach trips, students learn the important social and cultural factors in treating patients. With limited access to technology students must strengthen and use their clinical skills of careful listening, physical examination, and problem solving to provide care for these patients. With faculty and alumni mentors, students not only learn great clinical skills but experience what is means to give back to a patient and to a community. These experiences deepen the understanding of the social and cultural factors that influence health. As VCOM supports the operation of year-round clinics in these same countries, students may return in their fourth year for a month-long clinical experience. This experience has also supported several students who were creating a pathway to enter a career of mission-medicine in other countries. “ 2025 International Outreach Trips

Being here (in Honduras)… it gives me a reason, versus being at home and I am just with my books, why am I doing this? It was enlightening, this is why I want to be doing this.”

Daniela Gonzalez VCOM-Carolinas ’27 (pictured at right)

282 medical students participated in 2025 international outreach trips accompanied by VCOM faculty and staff

120 students participated in a month-long international rotation to provide care in VCOM sponsored clinics

3,780 patients received care through VCOM international outreach trips in 2025