I find it difficult to put into words how wonderful our experience has been so far. Words alone don’t capture the passion, love, and sheer determination of the people we’ve met along the way. As my co-intern mentioned in his blog, we had the blessing of visiting Barahona, which was an opportunity that deeply expanded my understanding of the country and its people.
Traveling outside the city offered a different lens. The homes we passed were smaller, many without floors, and some constructed with metal sheets for roofs. I observed them through the car window as we moved from hospital to hospital, but even that brief glimpse gave me a lot to reflect on. These weren’t just buildings — they were the homes of the very patients we were seeing in nearby hospitals like Jaime Mota. Families. Children.
I don’t have a perfectly polished takeaway from what I saw, but what struck me most was this: when living conditions are difficult, access to quality healthcare becomes even more vital. It’s not about pity, it’s about justice. It’s about making sure that every mother in Kangaroo Mother Care, every baby born too soon, every family, regardless of where they live, receives the care they deserve.
And yet, amidst what some might see as hardship, I witnessed joy. There was music in the air. People dancing in the streets. A vibrant sense of community. There is a compassion here that I’ve rarely seen elsewhere, a compassion that I have also seen in healthcare providers when it comes to quality patient care.
One of the people who’s left the deepest impact on me is Dra. Floren. Despite having a family back in the U.S., she is here, fully present and committed to her patients. From expanding Kangaroo Mother Care to supporting maternal units and even creating birthing centers in Haiti, her work stems from a place of pure love. She reminded me what true passion in medicine looks like: patient-first, always.
Often, when we talk about global health, the narrative centers around tragedy or lack. But there is so much hope here. That’s why visiting KMC clinics meant so much to me. I got to hold a beautiful baby girl who was once a preemie, and now she’s healthy, smiling, and thriving. Her mother was kind and full of gratitude. It reminded me that behind every clinical term like “neonatal care” is a real family and a story of survival.

At Jaime Mota Hospital, I had the honor of presenting my project to a group of OBGYNs and gynecologic oncologists. These professionals are shaping the future of medicine here, and their feedback was invaluable. Dr. Mendez Lopez suggested making the cervical ectropion on our training model more pronounced, as it’s often mistaken for pathology by trainees. He also recommended pairing the model with real clinical images and step-by-step guidance, which is an idea I’ll be taking back with me. I’ve had multiple doctors offer images they have taken of cervical appearances, and I am more than excited for this collaboration.
We also met Dr. Delfido Feliz, a specialist in endocrinology, fertility, and gynecology, who posed a pivotal question: “What is the ultimate goal of your project?” I told him it’s about democratizing training. Hands-on gynecological education should be accessible not just to medical students and residents, but also to nurses and primary care providers, especially in areas with high cancer burden and high risk. He shared how facilities known as UNAPs ( small, local centers of primary care) serve as the first line of care across the region. Yet, many PCPs and nurses from these centers still lack the training to confidently perform procedures like pap smears.


We visited one of these UNAPs and spoke with a general medicine physician who explained how care can sometimes get lost in the system. Patients are referred back and forth, often missing follow-ups or never receiving their lab results. These aren’t just logistical issues, but structural barriers that can delay lifesaving diagnoses.

I also got to share the model with nursing students from UCATEBA and saw how even limited tools, when paired with knowledgeable mentors, can open new doors. One physician demonstrated how to use a pipelle for endometrial biopsies, and it was amazing to see the model possibly being capable of teaching.

Interestingly, this experience has shifted my view. It’s not that this country lacks proper screening procedures or quality care. Many of those services are already present, whether it be a public or private hospital. What’s often missing is awareness. Currently, I am trying to help start an awareness/educational program with DOFMI in the DR, as female health is something that cannot go unnoticed, especially in a country where the average start of sexual activity is 10-16 years old.
Hospital visits also highlighted key differences in maternal care. Unlike in the U.S., where labor, delivery, and recovery happen in one versatile room (LDR), here the stages are separated — prenatal, postpartum, labor rooms, and the OR. While this system works, it comes with risks, particularly when a woman has to be rushed while crowning, potentially increasing the chance of complications such as postpartum hemorrhaging or vaginal tears. Versatile birthing beds and integrated spaces could make a big difference, yet implementing them is a whole other story.

At Hospital Juan Pablo Pina, we met a baby from the KMC program who had to be readmitted for intestinal parasites. Doctors suspected that poor hygiene at home was the cause. It was a sobering moment. How do you care for patients when the root of the problem is not medical, but structural? Dra. Floren once told me about a time when many babies were brought in with black lines on their gums, which turned out to be a sign of lead poisoning. The issue became so widespread that international organizations had to step in to help. Stories like these are a powerful reminder that good health isn’t only about medicine. It also depends on clean water, fresh air, safe housing, and public awareness. Every part matters.


Thursday brought an entirely different kind of experience that I will truly never forget. I observed several hysterectomies, one of which was performed by a team of incredible physicians, including Dr. Jimenez, Dra. Paulino, Dr. Libert, and Dr. Suriel. Watching a laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) unfold in real time was surreal. One person manned the camera, two others worked with precision instruments, and another used a manipulator to position the uterus — all while the anesthesiologist monitored vitals and nurses kept instruments sterile. That was truly the embodiment of teamwork. The whole procedure, lasting nearly four hours, was a lesson in coordination, endurance, and focus.


This week has touched me deeply. Dra. Floren’s unwavering commitment, the clinicians’ thoughtful feedback, the welcoming communities will all stay with me. It’s also made me feel hopeful about the potential impact of our models and inspired to keep improving them.
Some random fun things: we started cafe hopping, which is something I wish we’d done sooner! It has been a refreshing change of environment for working. As well, I’ve been in search for a guanabana, and one of the doctors from Jaime Mota, Dra. Martinez, gave me one from her neighbors backyard. So good!!!
Thanks for reading!!
