By Dr. Karen Herrera, Staff Medical Doctor

Giving quality health services is an important social value; it gives people dignity.

I am a general practitioner and have a Masters in Sexual and Reproductive Health and am now finishing a degree in Public Health.  My experience as a doctor as been community-based in rural environments but also in hospitals, in the OBGYN and Pediatrics wards for around two years.  Currently, my work is in administration, but I take advantage of the opportunity to work with VIDA to practice my clinical work and to share that clinic experience with volunteers.

VIDA came into my life in a moment in which I prayed for something, and my prayer was answered immediately, so I adventured into this beautiful experience in which I have enjoyed to the max everything this job has given me, such as:

• The opportunity to share my medical knowledge and guide students toward their vocation in medical sciences

  

• Working with a very qualified staff from whom I learn something every day

   

• The ability to talk about my country and all its natural beauties and helping foreigners experience the warmth of the Nicaraguan people

   

• Above all, the satisfaction of offering health services and medications normally not available to a needy population.

   

The experience of diagnosing patients that didn’t even suspect they were hypertensive or diabetic, and that we are able to confirm that diagnosis or referring them for more tests and teaching them about why that’s important are preventive labors that save lives and are very satisfying.

Recently I was invited to do a community diagnostic with another organization focused on public health, that offers services to help communities get potable water, letrines, and make improvements to their homes.  I worked with volunteers from the United States, and it was impressive how my experience with VIDA made my job easier, and I really noticed how enriching it has been to be a staff member for VIDA, for which I will always be grateful.

Solidarity implies giving something of yourself to the benefit of others; nevertheless, these acts of solidarity also benefit the person who gives in many ways.  I have gained many friends, and I can see how our work impacts the lives of our student volunteers, as even after a few years, they still write and enjoy seeing pictures of the trips we did.  It is very satisfying to practice the profession I love through a job like this.