Medical Mission in the Philippines

During Nurses Week, we celebrate the extraordinary work nurses do every day. For me, that commitment to serve and facilitate healing extends beyond our local centers. I recently participated in my third medical mission to the Philippines with the Valdez Charitable Foundation, founded by her godmother, Dr. Amelia Valdez.

Working through extreme heat and humidity in makeshift clinic environments, our volunteer team served up to 1,000 patients in a single day. We provided essential services, including vital signs screenings, diabetes management, dental care, vision services, and medication distribution.

Patients are registered, assessed, treated, and educated—all within a streamlined, high-impact workflow. For many of these patients, this was their very first interaction with healthcare.

Simple interventions—like receiving a pair of glasses—can be life-changing.

For me, the mission was also deeply personal.

During my time in the Philippines, I connected with family members I had never met before—gaining a deeper understanding of their lives and the realities they face.

I feel strongly that this intersection of professional service and personal connection underscores the true meaning of nursing, globally and right here at On Lok.

We care not just for patients—but for people, families, and communities.

My experience did not end when the mission ended—it continues to reshape how I practice as a nurse every day with:

• A renewed sense of gratitude for available resources

• Greater awareness of health equity and access

• A deeper commitment to patient advocacy

• A reminder to never take even the smallest aspects of care for granted

These insights directly influence the way I deliver care at On Lok.

This Nurses Week, I want to remind us all that nursing extends far beyond clinical settings. It is found:

• In makeshift clinics under the heat of the sun

• In long lines of patients waiting for care

• In small moments that create life-changing impact

And in our unwavering commitment to serve—no matter the circumstances.