Building on years of service, the latest mission by St. Bonaventure University’s Students Without Borders (SWOB) took the group back to the Dominican Republic, where they left behind not only immediate care but the seeds of sustainable health practices.

Returning for a third consecutive year, the SWOB team focused its efforts on the community of El Patio, a rural area facing deep healthcare challenges. Poverty is widespread, and access to quality medical care is limited.

Nearly 60 people made up this year’s team, including Physician Assistant Studies students, faculty, clinical practitioners, alumni and other volunteers. They set up temporary clinics in two churches and, over five days, delivered medical care and health education to nearly 900 individuals ranging in age from 21 days to 96 years. Patients were treated for a variety of conditions, including dehydration, respiratory issues, burns and chronic illnesses.

The trip offered transformative lessons in adaptability and teamwork.

“We made do with what we had,” said Bree Paulson of Broomfield, Colorado, a PA student and president of SWOB at Bona's. “Even without access to all diagnostics, we learned to trust clinical evidence. That was a great experience.”

 

Paulson said stressful moments often gave way to creative solutions — like using fishing wire to hang a shower curtain as a privacy partition.

 

For SWOB Vice President Alexis Gordon of Whitesboro, New York, the trip marked her second mission with SWOB.

 

“Everything came together for me this year — from what I learned during didactic year and clinical rotations to now working with the class under us in treating patients,” Gordon said. “It’s a good feeling to realize I know the diagnosis and the treatment, and to know that I helped someone. It gives me my ‘why.’”

 

SWOB continues to refine its service approach. In addition to medical supplies, this year’s team brought more than 200 pairs of eyeglasses, supplements, hygiene products and even sports equipment — including helmets, gloves and balls — all distributed at the clinics.

 

While the PA students worked in the clinics, other volunteers served the community in different ways, including helping at a local daycare and providing a new wheelchair for a matron at Pathway Dominicana whose own had broken. 

 

“Our students leave me in awe,” said Kesha Steighner, clinical assistant professor in the DePerro School of Health Professions and a three-time trip participant. “To see them apply classroom skills in a real-world setting with such compassion is incredibly rewarding.”

 

SWOB once again partnered with Pathway Dominicana, a nonprofit missions organization based in San Pedro de Macorís, which provided transportation and medical translators.

 

Gordon and Paulson were joined by fellow SWOB officers Danielle Jackson (treasurer) and Kayla Purcell (secretary) in leading this year’s mission. All four will earn a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree this month. Each officer played a vital role in the success of the trip, which would not have been possible without their dedication and the support of the many volunteers who joined the mission. 

Gordon will enter family medicine following graduation, while Paulson is considering emergency medicine. Both encourage future students to take part in upcoming SWOB missions.

 

“Being able to make a difference in the lives of 887 people is something I will forever hold in my heart,” Paulson said. “I loved every second of it.”