Thanks to our established partner, Global Brigades, our impact will remain strong long after our Brigade has ended. Global Brigades is an international movement of university students working alongside local communities and staff to implement sustainable health systems. Global Brigades has been breaking down barriers to care for more than 20 years. They have been building trustworthy, therapeutic, and close community relationships in rural Guatemala since 2019. Thank you, Global Brigades, for partnering with us again, year after year... after year!

https://fundraise.globalbrigades.org/empowered/chapter/oregon-health-and-science-university-school-of-medicine-medical-brigades-chapter/brigade/oregon-health-and-science-university-school-of-medicine-medical-brigade-march-2026-guatemala

Rural, indigenous Guatemalans face severe barriers in accessing medical, dental, and nutritional care. Guatemala has less than half the number of doctors per 10,000 people compared to the U.S., even though it is the most populated country in Central America. We dream of a world where everyone has access to quality healthcare and the chance to thrive.

Who is going?

• About 17 OHSU medical students (your friends, family, and neighbors you love very much who always seem stressed for no reason)

What do my funds do? Your support directly brings care to those who need it most! Brigade costs=

• Group transportation and accommodations in-country
• Local providers who come out to the community from nearby cities (doctors, dentists, nutritionists, etc.)
• Supplies, including medical supplies
• Translators to save our behinds (Medical-language-anything is hard, y'all)

Where are we going? (Guatemala is a country in Central America sharing a border with Mexico, for those of you who are victims of a public school geography education.)

• We are flying from PDX --> layover in Houston, TX --> to Guatemala City
• Then we'll rendezvous with our Global Brigade in-country coordinators to reach the communities near Chimaltenango. The 2 primarily spoken languages here are Spanish and K'iche Mayan.

What will our Brigade look like? We will look like a brigade. with our eyes. duh.

• The word brigade derives its significance from a company of soldiers or warriors fighting for a cause. We are fighting for medical and healthcare access and equity. Systems of power and social determinants of health keep people from accessing healthy, equitable care. And we're not just gonna sit here and take it!
• We (representing OHSU and Portlanders) have the privilege to be invited here, to share power and resources through meaningful alliances. The key to ensuring we are actually, genuinely helping is 1) we are listening to the community tell us what they need (check! and keep the list comin') and 2) we are looking for a long-term, sustainable solution (double check! this is the whole enchilada). I will continue this TED Talk anytime, hit me up about it.
• The "Boots on the Ground" is we are planning to run and staff this clinic, observe how doctors in limited-resource areas work, and hold workshops about dental hygiene and nutrition (much like your dentist or doctor does at the end of your appointment here in the U.S., but we'll be in a "charla" with a group of mostly women, children, and families). As medical students, we're professional gophers-- the doctor says "gopher" this, "gopher" that... we just do what we're told 'n' we go get it/ go do it!!!

That's great! What else can we do to help? I'm so glad you asked. You're already doing such amazing, indispensable work! In addition, we are continually searching for ways we can improve.

• Make health equity a priority; Advocate for change at a systems-level. This is a HUGE step, and it really looks different for everybody. Ask your local search engine to find out more.
• Tell your friends! I know you have them!
• Follow our Brigade (and Global Brigades!) to see your impact and to support us in the future~
• Join a campaign of ours next year-- We mean it!