Globally there exist significant inequities in access to medical care—and in many places basic public health needs are not being met. Our commitment to structurally vulnerable populations has led us to consider the needs beyond our own borders and to contribute our time and energy in a thoughtful way to help address this problem.
As an organization, we are committed to projects that are socially responsible—ones that attempt to develop systems of care that are inclusive of local people and not solely reliant on episodic appearances by foreign medical personnel; that assess and respond to public health and hygiene needs; and that address other basic human needs such as education, without which lasting change may not be possible. In an effort to work with the same communities over time to provide continuity of care and to effect more significant change, our organization has partnered with Shoulder to Shoulder (Hombro a Hombro) since 2015. Shoulder to Shoulder is a private, non-profit, non-government organization founded in 1998 which serves the rural area of Intibucá, Honduras and is dedicated to sustainable and accessible health, nutrition, and education services.
The Maine-Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency provides opportunities for residents to experience medical work abroad through annual group trips to Honduras lasting about 10 days. Residents also have a four week long elective in the third year that is free of call, offering interested residents the freedom to plan their own international experience.