Preparing for a MEDICO Volunteer Assignment in Central America

An established Wisconsin neurosurgeon, Dr. Melissa Macias handles a wide range of conditions of the brain and spinal cord and emphasizes individualized treatment modalities. A world traveler, Dr. Melissa Macias has volunteered with the secular nonprofit MEDICO, Mission to Honduras, which offers people in Nicaragua and Honduras a combination of medical, optometric, and dental care. 

The volunteering process with MEDICO is simple for those with skills needed to meet humanitarian goals. Spanish fluency is not a requirement, as interpreters are on hand, and special medicines and immunizations are not required. That said, the Zika virus is endemic to the region and spread by mosquitos. With no approved vaccines in place yet, participants are encouraged to work closely with medical care providers in ensuring the best possible combination of travel medicines prior to travel. 

MEDICO volunteers sometimes offer to bring medical supplies for distribution to communities in need. While the nonprofit encourages donations of supplies, it is important to contact the organization first and discuss whether the specific supplies are relevant to actual community needs. Participants are encouraged to bring small gifts, from pencils to toothbrushes, that children encountered within villages and a clinical setting will enthusiastically accept.