A group of Elizabethtown College Physician Assistant Studies students and faculty traveled to Belize over winter break to provide necessary medical care to underserved communities.
The group, composed of six Etown graduate clinical-year students and seven physician assistants, traveled to three remote villages to provide medical care to residents and refugees. The trip was planned in collaboration with international service organizations, Samuel’s Sanctuary, and Global Health Impact.
“We were blessed to be a part of an impact in Belize,” Elizabethtown College Physician Assistant Program Director Dionna Rookey said. “The group went to three remote villages to help provide healthcare where it would be otherwise difficult to access.”
Rookey participated in the trip as an ambassador for Global Health Impact, a nonprofit service organization founded and led by physician assistants. She shared information about the opportunity with graduate clinical students in the Etown PA program who chose to attend. Rookey and the participating students were involved in the trip independently and not in connection with their roles at the College.
“Serving in Belize was one of the most meaningful experiences in my journey of becoming a physician assistant thus far,” Elizabeth Horne ’26 said. “It reminded me of why I chose medicine and reinforced that this profession is truly about people helping people.”
For others in the group, the trip also highlighted important lessons about access to care and cultural awareness.
“The trip to Belize offered an eye-opening opportunity for me to learn about different barriers and how they can impact how we as providers offer care,” Jenna Davis ’26 said. “I hope to take what I learned from our trip and continue to look to overcome similar barriers that we have in the U.S. and continue to improve the patient care I provide.”
About the Physician Assistant Studies Program
Etown’s Physician Assistant Studies program equips learners with an education that is centered on service and integrates interdisciplinary learning through small class sizes and strong mentoring relationships with faculty. The program offers two pathways for individuals, including a B.S./M.S. program, along with a standalone Master’s program. Learn more.
