At Trinity School of Medicine, students are not only learning the science of medicine but also gaining invaluable hands-on experience through outreach initiatives. Recently, a group of dedicated students participated in a transformative mission with World Pediatrics, focusing on orthopedic care for children in underserved communities. Their experiences highlight the profound impact such missions can have, both on the patients they serve and the medical students who participate.
All medical students who participated emphasized that this mission was a wonderful real-world learning opportunity. Students Callie Nesbitt, Lakeithra McSweeney, Mary-Angel Ekenzie, and Anmoal Sidhu represented Trinity at this valuable clinic under the supervision of several orthopedic physicians from the United States.
Witnessing a Physcian’s Role
Participating in World Pediatric missions offers medical students a transformative, hands-on experience that transcends traditional classroom learning. Students gain invaluable skills in patient care, enhance their medical knowledge, and develop empathy and cultural sensitivity. Witnessing the profound impact of their work—such as helping children regain mobility—shapes their understanding of medicine as a vocation grounded in compassion and service. Ultimately, these experiences inspire future healthcare leaders to advocate for accessible care and empower communities worldwide.
Trinity medical student, Callie Nesbitt, who was inspired by the physicians’ drive to transform lives said: “The chance to observe both pre-operative and post-operative patients in the clinic made it clear how life-changing these surgeries are for the children treated by WP. It was inspiring to see how the work of these dedicated surgeons goes beyond just medical intervention—it transforms lives and empowers these children to pursue their dreams.”
Another medical student, Anmoal Sidhu, reflected on the profound impact of a physician’s work, saying “It has solidified my passion for medicine and global health, and reinforced the importance of making healthcare accessible to all children, regardless of geography or circumstance.”
Bringing Classroom Concepts to Life
Engaging directly with pediatric patients and their families at WP clinics, students encounter a diverse range of medical conditions, enhancing their clinical skills and critical thinking. This immersive experience allows them to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings, from taking patient histories to interpreting diagnostic images. By collaborating with experienced healthcare professionals, students gain insights into specialized care and treatment planning, fostering a deeper understanding of global health challenges.
Callie talked about how she felt like part of the team throughout the entire experience, “It was a profound and rewarding experience from the moment I stepped through the clinic doors. After being introduced to Dr. Smith and Dr. Johnson, they immediately began discussing each patient with me, reviewing lab results and films, and including me in every aspect of patient care. I truly felt like part of the team, and they ensured I was involved in all patient conversations.”
Another Trinity medical student, Lakeithra McSweeney, mentioned how valuable it was to see classroom concepts come to life. “The coolest part was looking at different X-rays and dealing with patients who had diseases that we recently studied in class. I’ve always had orthopedic surgery as an option but I was sold after my experience.”
Student Mary-Angel Ekezie also expressed how grateful she was to be able to connect classroom concepts with real-world cases. “We saw 16 unique cases of children from across the Caribbean ranging from 11 days old to 15 years old…One case that really stuck out to me was of a little 11-day-old girl who was brought in by her mother due to foot clubbing resulting from a mild neural tube defect. Until this moment, I had only heard of this in my Embryology and Neuroscience courses, but treating this patient brought everything to life for me. I learned of conditions that are endemic to the Caribbean islands as well, like Blount’s Disease (also known as tibia vara).”
Creating Future Healthcare Advocates
By engaging directly with patients from underserved populations, students learn to appreciate the social and cultural factors that influence health outcomes. Ultimately, these missions cultivate a sense of responsibility and advocacy in future healthcare professionals, inspiring them to make meaningful contributions to global health equity.
Mary-Angel talked about how the experience inspired her as she is interested in orthopedics and also mentioned her desire to participate in a future World Pediatric mission as an alum. “Being on this mission meant so much to me because I could get first-hand experience in orthopedics (a field I am interested in), better my critical thinking skills, and expand my horizons. The orthopedic surgeon I was paired with was incredibly kind and willing to answer all my questions about the cases we had. Having the opportunity to work with World Pediatrics was one of the many reasons I chose to come to Trinity and I’m thankful I did. I hope to continue working with WP in the future and one day serve on a mission as a Trinity alum.”
Anmoal expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to make an impact on the community she calls home. “I am deeply grateful to Trinity School of Medicine for facilitating this opportunity and providing me with the knowledge to engage meaningfully with both the clinical cases and the patients I encountered. The holistic, patient-centered approach that Trinity emphasizes—focusing on communication, empathy, and medical expertise—was essential in helping me navigate this experience.” She notes that witnessing the relief on the faces of patients and their families was an incredibly rewarding experience, “The most rewarding part of this experience was witnessing the profound relief and gratitude of families who had waited a long time for specialized care. Many families had traveled from distant islands in search of help, and seeing their children finally receive the medical attention they needed was incredibly moving.”
The testimonials from Callie, Lakeithra, Mary-Angel, and Anmoal encapsulate the transformative power of service-learning experiences like the World Pediatric missions. At Trinity School of Medicine, students are equipped not only with medical knowledge but also with empathy and a commitment to improving global health. These missions are a testament to the school’s dedication to producing not just skilled physicians, but compassionate advocates for accessible healthcare for all.
As these students return from their mission, they carry with them a renewed sense of purpose and a deepened commitment to making a difference in the lives of their future patients. They remind us that the heart of medicine lies in serving others, transcending borders, and transforming lives.
What the WP Is About
Since 2001, World Pediatrics has provided thousands of children with access to lifesaving and life-changing care, facilitated training for hundreds of local healthcare workers across disciplines, and worked with governments and hospitals to develop system capacity, and resources and advocate for health policies.
The World Pediatrics conducts ten medical missions in St. Vincent and the Grenadines every year. The list includes general surgery and neo-natal clinics in January; ophthalmology and plastic surgery in February; physical therapy between February and March; cardiology in March; orthopedics in April; neurosurgery in June; and urology in September or October. The final mission is a second orthopedic trip specifically to address scoliosis and spinal fusion.
In recent news, the WP acquired Atlanta-based Childspring International, another nonprofit organization that is dedicated to providing medical care to children in developing countries.
Giving Back with the World Pediatrics
Trinity School of Medicine and the World Pediatrics (WP) have a long-standing partnership. Their mission of building a brighter future for local, regional, and international children affords our medical students exceptional training before residency and the opportunity to help and give back to our local community by providing them with healthcare services.
“It is a pleasure for us at WP to partner with Trinity Medical Sciences University to give much care to our children and more so to have the students participate in these very exciting and knowledgeable clinics that allow them the opportunity to gain meaningful experience and knowledge,” said Sigmund A.D. Wiggins, the WP SVG Program Director.
The students and faculty alike enjoy the breadth of knowledge, experience, and specialties that visit the island. Students frequently remark on the benefit of exposure to areas they hadn’t previously considered for elective rotations or residency, broadening their experience and sense of opportunity post-graduation.
Check out these videos from past WPP collaborations!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN2tAkxwTaU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuL_Cgfygvo
https://studio.youtube.com/video/4EjlViRoBmo/edit
