Medical Mission Trips Around the World
Up to 3.5 billion people, almost half of the world’s population, lack access to health services reports the World Health Organization. In response to this great need, Mankato Clinic physicians, practitioners and nurses go on medical mission trips to care for people. They travel to Africa, Central America, Mexico and other locations.
They know they are helping people; the reward is deep and profound gratitude. Here is a glimpse of their work and the places and people who have captured their hearts.
Minnesota Doctors for People
Minnesota Doctors for People, based in Mankato, brings free health care to Guatemala and Mexico. They have completed 35+ medical mission trips with 350+ volunteers and served over 15,000 patients since 2007.
Susan Peller, family nurse practitioner, and Dr. Cathy Davis, pediatrics and dermatology, have been leading trips to San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala for more than 15 years. They just completed a nine-day trip together in November 2024.
“They have a beautiful culture built on faith and family. The gratitude of the people is deeply fulfilling. In serving, you get more than you give,” Susan says. “Learning a different culture is mind opening and makes the world a little smaller.”
“I still feel this draw to provide care for people who do not have the access to healthcare that we do in the United States. It’s really gratifying. They grab your hand and say thank you,” Dr. Davis says.
In Guatemala, MDP partners with Friends of San Lucas for their outreach. The town of San Lucas Tolimán is their home base. They eat meals together at the San Lucas Mission, taking turns doing the dishes morning and night.
During the day, they travel to remote villages to set up free pop-up medical clinics where they care for the Mayan people. The care model relies on a team of 10-12 people – medical doctors, nurses, interpreters and pharmacy assistants. For many patients, this is the only medical care they will receive all year.
On their recent journey, the team served 152 patients with 3 providers in 4 days of clinic.
The organization has evolved to meet the needs of the people. For instance, the MDP pharmacy is stocked with medications their patients are used to taking. Teams have set up clinics and pharmacies in churches, community centers, schools, a tienda and many outdoor sites. On the most recent trip, they ran a clinic in a building with wires and light bulbs, but ironically no electricity or light.
“It brings you back to why you went into health care in the first place. You are doing the best you can with the resources you have for the person in front of you,” Susan says.
“We always say ‘We’re going to make it work.’ That’s the adventure part of it,” Dr. Davis says.
Jessica Miller, LPN, who works with Susan at Mankato Clinic, loved every minute of the Guatemala November 2024 mission trip.
“The people are a gentle people with the most gracious hearts. There was a constant contrast between the ineffable beauty and the poverty, however there was joy and great family dynamics, a lot we can learn from them,” Jessica says. “It was one of the best things I have ever done in my life and I hope to do more!”
The Mayan people do hard, physical labor, carrying heavy loads on their backs. In clinic, they see body aches, joint pains, ear infections, respiratory illnesses, diabetes, hypertension, skin rashes, digestive issues and malnutrition. The San Lucas Mission’s child nutrition program has reduced childhood deaths due to malnutrition by 80%. Still malnutrition exists as does extreme poverty. Both bring tears to the volunteers.
Mankato Clinic colleagues, friends and family, have joined MDP medical missions through the years. Susan’s husband, Dr. Rich Peller, Family Medicine, has been to Guatemala and Mexico many times. Dr. John Benson has traveled to Mexico three times. Dr. Scott Barnacle, OB-GYN, has also completed an MDP trip to Mexico.
Medical and non-medical volunteers are needed. To donate or volunteer for Minnesota Doctors for People, visit mndoctors.org.
Eye Care in Kenya, Africa
Since 2019, Dr. Nataliya Danylkova and Dr. Penelope Swanson, Mankato Clinic ophthalmologists, have been participating in annual surgical mission trips to Kenya with the nonprofit organization Kenya Relief. Their February 2024 trip marked yet another week of life-changing work, during which the dedicated team conducted over 400 eye exams and performed 74 cataract surgeries in a remote region of the country.
“It’s incredibly touching to witness the transformation surgery brings,” Dr. Swanson shares. “Some patients arrive being led in because they can’t see, and moments after surgery, they’re smiling, able to see the world again. The clinical days are a whirlwind, but the experience gives me far more than I feel I contribute.”
In Kenya, many patients wait until they are completely blind before seeking help, a stark contrast to the less severe cases typically seen by ophthalmologists in the U.S. The doctors also encountered a range of trauma-related injuries and other eye diseases during their time there.
“We know we’re making a significant impact on many lives,” Dr. Danylkova says. “Practicing medicine in a place like this feels very authentic. We treat every single person who walks through the door, doing everything we can with the resources available. Even though it’s a small contribution compared to the overwhelming need, it’s deeply rewarding.”
Beyond the clinic, Dr. Danylkova and Dr. Swanson dedicated time to the Kenya Relief orphanage and school, where they witnessed the resilience and joy of the local community despite limited material resources. Both doctors sponsor children at the orphanage, strengthening their connection to the mission and its impact.
“In our community work, I’m always struck by how much happiness and gratitude people have, even with so little. It’s a reminder that what truly matters isn’t material possessions but the relationships and connections we build,” Dr. Swanson says.
For Dr. Danylkova, the connection to the orphanage is deeply personal. She sponsors three children there and returns each year to continue supporting their growth and education. Her own children have joined her on a mission trip, meeting the children they’ve corresponded with through letters.
“I wanted to give hope to the children we sponsor and, at the same time, show my own children the power of making a difference in someone’s life,” Dr. Danylkova says.
Their ongoing commitment to the mission is a testament to the profound impact of compassionate care and global outreach, leaving a legacy of hope and vision for those in need. To learn more, visit www.kenyarelief.org.
Specialty Care in El Salvador
Dr. Daniel Watson, Ear, Nose and Throat physician, joined the Moreano World Medical Mission to El Salvador in February 2024. In a small town near San Salvador, Dr. Watson and four surgeons provided free ENT surgeries to those in desperate need of care.
“I did this mission trip because of the need for specialty care in El Salvador. There are relatively few ENT providers for their population; a simple tonsillectomy can be life-changing for some patients,” Dr. Watson says.
On the first day, the ENT specialists saw close to 200 patients. Over the next three days, they completed 80 surgeries – tonsillectomy, ear surgery, ear tubes, nasal surgery, and burn/scar revision surgery.
“What is amazing to me is how stoic and brave the people are going into surgery, and how they recover from surgery with such grace and gratitude,” he says. “The mission trips help me connect with individual hardships that many of us here in the U.S. rarely have to face. It’s an honor to earn their trust and provide them with much needed care.”
Women’s Healthcare in Africa
Dr. Scott Barnacle, Mankato Clinic obstetrician and gynecologist, completed a 10-day medical mission trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where he trained Congolese healthcare providers and surgeons to safely deliver babies and perform hysterectomies in challenging conditions. The medical mission trip was conducted by the Paul Carlson Partnership.
“The people in Congo suffer from all the conditions we have in the United States, but the hospitals and clinics do not have the most basic resources to care for patients. Things we take for granted like running water and basic sanitation are scarce in this area of Africa. The doctors and nurses must make do with very little. The care they provide though is excellent despite their limitations,” Dr. Barnacle says. “You can see their passion for caring for their patients.”
“Our mantra is ‘Teach the Teacher,’” Dr. Barnacle adds. “Each medical mission is designed to teach skills to Congolese doctors and nurses so when the volunteers leave, the Congolese doctors and nurses can continue to provide high quality care to their patients.”
Dr. Barnacle conducted medical training with Congolese healthcare partners in the Karawa region. With another physician, they trained 26 students from the region to deliver babies under incredibly difficult circumstances. As part of their training, the students learned how to treat postpartum hemorrhages. In addition, they trained a master trainer to continue education and training across the DRC. Dr. Barnacle also performed hysterectomies and trained three surgeons to safely perform hysterectomies in very challenging conditions.
Surgical instruments were purchased by Dr. Barnacle. Upon completion of the training, the equipment was donated to the Karawa Hospital where it was greatly needed for future surgeries. Visit paulcarlson.org.
Stand with Ukraine MN
Since the onset of the Russian-Ukrainian war in 2022, Dr. Nataliya Danylkova and her husband have been at the forefront of Stand with Ukraine MN, an organization delivering critical aid to those affected by the conflict. With the support of numerous volunteers and generous donations, the organization provides lifesaving medical supplies, humanitarian aid, and off-road evacuation vehicles to the front lines.
A particular focus for Dr. Danylkova is supplying protective eyewear to soldiers and volunteers, safeguarding their vision amidst the dangers of war in her homeland.
Dr. Danylkova is also a dedicated fundraiser for the Protez Foundation, which offers prosthetic care to children, civilians, and soldiers who have lost limbs in the war. Each month, wounded soldiers travel to Minneapolis for prosthetic fittings, with around 80% returning to active duty. In addition, she has treated soldiers with eye injuries, guiding them through specialized medical care and recovery.
Since May 2022, The Protez Foundation has made a remarkable impact, serving 356 patients and fitting 755 prosthetics, though the need remains overwhelming, with a waitlist of over 2,000 individuals.
“It’s challenging and emotional work,” Dr. Danylkova shares. “But providing continuous support is essential—it makes a real difference in saving lives and restoring hope.”
In April 2022, Dr. Danylkova traveled to the Polish-Ukrainian border to support refugees in a camp in Przemyśl, Poland. Using her multilingual skills in English, Ukrainian, Russian, and Polish, she assisted in triaging medical and psychological needs, offering care, support, clothing, and medication to those displaced by the war.
For more information, visit standwithukrainemn.com and protezfoundation.org.
Teaching and Learning in Taiwan
Dr. Susan Pearson, Ear, Nose and Throat specialist and surgeon, speaks Mandarin Chinese and lived for 6 years in Taiwan, where she worked at a hospital. Taiwan is her second home and she returns most every year to teach at Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi, Taiwan. In April 2024, she delivered a lecture to the entire hospital staff and taught an education module for the ENT department. She teaches to help develop medical care in Taiwan.
“They are great people to work with. I learn so much more than I ever teach. It’s so great to learn from other cultures and countries,” Dr. Pearson says.