By Harrison Booher, Staff Writer
Over Spring Break, a team of individuals from Georgetown College embarked on a transformative medical mission trip to Costa Rica. Dr. Tracy Livingston, professor of biology and pre-health chair, and Hollis Dudgeon, associate campus minister, led the team. Other team members included senior biomedical sciences major Harrison Booher, sophomore biochemistry major Chris Dowdy, pediatrician Dr. Patricia Cantrell and her son Ethan Cantrell, a pre-physical therapy student at Colorado State University.
The team traveled to Alajuelita, a small town just around three miles from the bustling heart of San Jose. Alajuelita — home to approximately 12,500 Nicaraguan refugees and impoverished Costa Rican citizens — faces significant healthcare challenges. With natural disasters, political conflicts and economic hardships driving a large influx of immigrants, access to healthcare is a pressing issue. Many in the community (predominantly women and children) lack access to the national healthcare system, leaving them medically underserved.
The Georgetown College team’s mission was clear: provide essential medical services, psychological support and health education to those in need. Working in collaboration with the Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children (FIMRC), the team dedicated themselves to three areas of focus — clinical activities, health education and special initiatives.
Three team members — Chris Dowdy, Hollis Dudgeon and Harrison Booher — all have aspirations of attending medical school. For them, the experience shed light on the stark differences between healthcare systems. “Although the healthcare in Costa Rica was sub-par,” Dowdy said, “it revealed what I wish healthcare would be like [in America]: doctors being doctors for the sake of helping others rather than being moneymakers.” Dowdy’s sentiment captures the essence of the team’s journey— a journey driven by compassion and a commitment to serving others.
The team’s activities were diverse and impactful. From assisting in the waiting room to managing pharmacy duties and shadowing physicians, each member played a vital role in providing care to the community. The team found themselves immersed in various responsibilities at a local clinic, gaining hands-on experience and invaluable insights into the practice of medicine.
Beyond the clinic walls, the team engaged in community outreach, visiting Casa Club Para Personas Con Capacidades Diferentes (Club House for People with Different Abilities) and conducting women’s health club presentations. These experiences allowed the team to connect with the community on a personal level, addressing not only medical needs but also providing support and education.
However, the trip was not all work and no play. The team embraced the culture and beauty of Costa Rica, indulging in excursions like surfing at sunset at Jaco Beach and embarking on an Adventure Combo in Sarapiqui that featured zip lining and white water rafting. Amidst the adrenaline-pumping activities, they found moments of serenity and connection with nature — a reminder of the importance of balance and spontaneity in life.
Dowdy noted, “My favorite part [of the trip] was going around the town, embracing the culture and experiencing a different kind of life.” He added, “One focused [on] the beauty of spontaneity rather than controlling it.” In these words, Dowdy encapsulates the profound impact of immersing oneself in a new environment, where spontaneity and connection with others reign supreme.
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