Noah Storts

The global health trip to the Dominican Republic with Medicine in Mission was paramount in exposing me to another side of medicine that I hope to continue in my career. Focusing on community outreach allowed us to establish a lifelong relationship with the Dominican people and take public health back to the basics. So much of our medical education focuses on what we can treat in a hospital setting and the need for community work is frequently discussed but rarely pursued. This trip allowed my colleagues and myself to embrace humanity in medicine and enriched us in ways that are difficult to find in a healthcare setting. From teaching everyday people how to respond in an emergency scenario, to teaching kids about the importance of exercise and proper hygiene, I know that my experience with Medicine in Mission is unique in the approach to healthy practices, and to not wait until people are sick enough to come see us in an office to make a difference.