Student volunteers from Wayne State University, Michigan State University, and Oakland University pose for a group photo during a Gift of Health medical mission in Yucatán, Mexico, in December 2025, where teams operated free clinics and supported community health services. Credit: Photo courtesy of Humanity First USA Gift of Health
During a medical mission to Mexico’s Yucatán region in December, Wayne State University junior Maarya Chowdhary, a neuroscience major and president of Humanity First WSU, saw a patient with a blood pressure of 220/180, far higher than would be considered normal, putting him at risk for a stroke or heart attack.
Dr. Anwar Ahmad, the doctor on site, urged the patient to go to a local hospital, but he initially refused, student lead Chowdhary said. After talking with and establishing a relationship with Dr. Ahmad, the patient eventually returned to get the necessary medication.
“The main takeaway from this patient was the rapport established and the friendships made between the doctor and the patient, which kept the patient coming back and ultimately was the reason that he got treatment,” Chowdhary wrote in her clinical notes.
Doctors change patients’ lives every single day, and with programs like the one Chowdhary joined, students can make a difference, too.
Humanity First International is a nonprofit that focuses on medical aid and service in underserved communities, including offering medical missions with students. During the trip, the WSU volunteers worked alongside licensed physicians and medical professionals to provide free clinical care, including patient screenings, basic treatments and health education to underserved communities.
Humanity First’s role in the Yucatán is vital because there is insufficient coverage of health services in most of its municipalities and communities, leading to a high incidence of disease, according to a 2020 report from the United Nations.
Noman Rana, the national director of Humanity First Mexico, has conducted humanitarian and medical missions in Mexico for more than 11 years. Rana said the Humanity First team selects mission locations based on need, often selecting rural areas far from major cities or medical centers. Rana said he organized the mission, coordinated with the local health system and led the volunteer team.
The team from WSU included Chowdhary, and sophomore Shanze Ahmad, and their mission ran from Dec. 17-23.
“The first part [of Humanity First’s purpose] is, of course, just the service to humanity, and then the second is also to give some relief to the local Mexican health system,” said Rana.
He said the group worked in two rural communities, Umán and Yobaín, providing basic clinical care and supervised medication distribution to patients with limited access to health care. Humanity First said 13 U.S. volunteers from WSU, Michigan State University and Oakland University provided free medical care and medications to a total of 231 patients during the trip.
Student volunteers Shanze Ahmad (left) and Maarya Chowdhary (right) during the Gift of Health medical mission in Yucatán, Mexico, in December 2025. University volunteers supported clinic operations, patient intake, and pharmacy services throughout the trip. Credit: Photo courtesy of Humanity First USA Gift of Health
Ahmad, who plans to become a physician, said the experience allowed her to practice basic clinical skills and work in a resource-limited environment, offering early exposure relevant to her future career in medicine – an experience she could not get in a classroom.
“When they [patients] came to the clinic, they were actually able to, you know, sit down and like have their problems heard and listened to, which I felt was really nice,” said Ahmad.
Ahmad said medical clinics began in Umán, where volunteers worked full clinic days alongside physicians with students rotating between different stations. Then the clinics moved to Umán.
The volunteers got to spend their final day sightseeing and appreciating the local culture, including stops at the ancient ruins of Chichén Itzá and Progreso Beach, where they got to relax, enjoy time together and reflect on their experiences.
The students said the sightseeing portion of the trip allowed them to reflect on their work, build connections, and gain a deeper appreciation for the culture of the communities they served.
“We hope that, in the near future, we can get some other medical missions set up here in Mexico for students participating from Wayne State University,” Rana said.
Students often arrive at universities believing their impact begins only after graduation. But experiences like this prove otherwise.
Given the right structure and guidance, students are not waiting to change the world; they are already doing it. In clinics, classrooms and communities, their work creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond a résumé line.
Programs that offer a safe, educational framework for service, especially on an international scale, do more than teach; they empower. They show that meaningful change does not require a degree in hand, only the willingness to serve.
Want to get involved?
Mission trips like this are organized through the Humanity First student divisions. Students interested in future trips can join the Humanity First Club at WSU or check the Humanity First USA website for upcoming opportunities.
Some upcoming missions include:
Gift of Health Mission to Guatemala: March 8–15
Gift of Health Mission to Tanzania: May 19–27
Amanee Kheireddine is a senior journalism major at Wayne State University and a reporter for The South End, where she covers Detroit history, justice-related issues, and global community initiatives. She plans to attend law school and pursue a career in public service.
Commentary: Students don’t need to wait to make a difference in the world
Share this:
During a medical mission to Mexico’s Yucatán region in December, Wayne State University junior Maarya Chowdhary, a neuroscience major and president of Humanity First WSU, saw a patient with a blood pressure of 220/180, far higher than would be considered normal, putting him at risk for a stroke or heart attack.
Dr. Anwar Ahmad, the doctor on site, urged the patient to go to a local hospital, but he initially refused, student lead Chowdhary said. After talking with and establishing a relationship with Dr. Ahmad, the patient eventually returned to get the necessary medication.
“The main takeaway from this patient was the rapport established and the friendships made between the doctor and the patient, which kept the patient coming back and ultimately was the reason that he got treatment,” Chowdhary wrote in her clinical notes.
Doctors change patients’ lives every single day, and with programs like the one Chowdhary joined, students can make a difference, too.
Humanity First International is a nonprofit that focuses on medical aid and service in underserved communities, including offering medical missions with students. During the trip, the WSU volunteers worked alongside licensed physicians and medical professionals to provide free clinical care, including patient screenings, basic treatments and health education to underserved communities.
Humanity First’s role in the Yucatán is vital because there is insufficient coverage of health services in most of its municipalities and communities, leading to a high incidence of disease, according to a 2020 report from the United Nations.
Noman Rana, the national director of Humanity First Mexico, has conducted humanitarian and medical missions in Mexico for more than 11 years. Rana said the Humanity First team selects mission locations based on need, often selecting rural areas far from major cities or medical centers. Rana said he organized the mission, coordinated with the local health system and led the volunteer team.
The team from WSU included Chowdhary, and sophomore Shanze Ahmad, and their mission ran from Dec. 17-23.
“The first part [of Humanity First’s purpose] is, of course, just the service to humanity, and then the second is also to give some relief to the local Mexican health system,” said Rana.
He said the group worked in two rural communities, Umán and Yobaín, providing basic clinical care and supervised medication distribution to patients with limited access to health care. Humanity First said 13 U.S. volunteers from WSU, Michigan State University and Oakland University provided free medical care and medications to a total of 231 patients during the trip.
Ahmad, who plans to become a physician, said the experience allowed her to practice basic clinical skills and work in a resource-limited environment, offering early exposure relevant to her future career in medicine – an experience she could not get in a classroom.
“When they [patients] came to the clinic, they were actually able to, you know, sit down and like have their problems heard and listened to, which I felt was really nice,” said Ahmad.
Ahmad said medical clinics began in Umán, where volunteers worked full clinic days alongside physicians with students rotating between different stations. Then the clinics moved to Umán.
The volunteers got to spend their final day sightseeing and appreciating the local culture, including stops at the ancient ruins of Chichén Itzá and Progreso Beach, where they got to relax, enjoy time together and reflect on their experiences.
The students said the sightseeing portion of the trip allowed them to reflect on their work, build connections, and gain a deeper appreciation for the culture of the communities they served.
“We hope that, in the near future, we can get some other medical missions set up here in Mexico for students participating from Wayne State University,” Rana said.
Students often arrive at universities believing their impact begins only after graduation. But experiences like this prove otherwise.
Given the right structure and guidance, students are not waiting to change the world; they are already doing it. In clinics, classrooms and communities, their work creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond a résumé line.
Programs that offer a safe, educational framework for service, especially on an international scale, do more than teach; they empower. They show that meaningful change does not require a degree in hand, only the willingness to serve.
Want to get involved?
Mission trips like this are organized through the Humanity First student divisions. Students interested in future trips can join the Humanity First Club at WSU or check the Humanity First USA website for upcoming opportunities.
Some upcoming missions include:
Amanee Kheireddine is a senior journalism major at Wayne State University and a reporter for The South End, where she covers Detroit history, justice-related issues, and global community initiatives. She plans to attend law school and pursue a career in public service.
Related