Merida, Mexico: Summer 2011
In June of 2011 I was fortunate enough to be invited on a mission trip to Merida, Mexico with the SHARES surgical team from Florida Hospital. SHARES is an organization that that travels to regions in need of specialized surgical care related to cleft lips and palates and provides free medical attention to individuals with these conditions. Before this trip I had no experience in the operating room and my knowledge of cleft lips and palates was limited. I was looking forward to learning as much as I could during this unique experience.
During my time in Merida, I observed and participated in many different specialties of care. Patient screening, anesthesia, surgery, and postoperative care were some of the disciplines in which I assisted. Seeing the operation from so many perspectives afforded me the opportunity to learn exactly what a patient goes through during such an invasive process. It was also especially rewarding to reunite a mother with her child moments after such a life-altering event.
One of the greatest facets of this trip was the sense of teamwork. My role throughout this experience was not as an outsider looking in, but rather as an integral member of a team of medical professionals seeking to make a difference in the lives of others. Each person had a task to accomplish and we all depended on one another to reach a common goal. As much as I learned about medicine and the practice of healthcare both domestically and abroad, I may have learned just as much about the people of Merida and the cultures of the Yucatan. Discussing issues with the locals and hearing their ideas and beliefs educated me in a way that no textbook ever could. My experience with SHARES was one I will never forget.
Clay Mitchell
UCF College of Medicine 2014