Medical Mission in Cusco, Peru

During Nurses Week, we celebrate not only the work nurses do—but the purpose that drives it. For me, that purpose, the commitment to reach, teach, and heal, was brought into sharper focus through a global medical mission that ultimately reaffirmed the impact of nursing within the PACE model.

While working in Cusco, Peru, I participated in a medical mission serving communities across the Sacred Valley. Despite vast differences in infrastructure and resources, one truth stood out: the mission of care looked strikingly familiar.

Both the mission clinic and On Lok PACE share core elements:

• Interdisciplinary teamwork across medicine, nursing, and dental care

• Strong emphasis on community-based services and home visits

• Whole-person care—including medications, social services, and support systems

• Continuity through panel-based care models

• Deep collaboration with public health and community resources

Even in this resource-limited environment, the foundation of care mirrored what we deliver every day at On Lok.

For me, this experience highlighted principles that are central to both global health and On Lok’s core values:

• Cultural humility

  – approaching each patient with openness, respect, and awareness of one’s own biases

• Inclusivity

  – honoring diverse backgrounds, languages, and lived experiences

• Community engagement

  – recognizing that care extends beyond clinic walls

I believe these are not abstract ideals—they are daily nursing practices.

The contrast between healthcare systems was profound. Despite these differences, patient needs were remarkably similar:

• Chronic conditions like osteoarthritis, GERD, and infections

• Medication management challenges

• The need for education, comfort, and dignity

This reminded me of a powerful truth: nursing care transcends systems.

Returning from the mission reinforced several truths about nursing at On Lok for me:

• PACE nurses deliver truly comprehensive care

• We have a unique level of influence on patient outcomes

• Interdisciplinary collaboration is one of our greatest strengths

• Patient advocacy and informed consent are at the core of what we do

This Nurses Week, I want to recognize the depth, complexity, and impact of we have as nurses across all settings. Whether in a rural village clinic or a PACE center in San Francisco, we are defined by: compassion, adaptability, clinical excellence, community commitment,

And most importantly—our unwavering drive to reach, teach, and heal.