Lopes offers aid to communities in Puerto Penasco
In a noble endeavour to extend care and support to underserved communities, a group of students from Grand Canyon University (GCU) recently embarked on a nine-day mission trip to Puerto Penasco, Mexico. Led by senior Zoe Vaughn and Sydney Cox, the team aimed to provide essential healthcare services, distribute medical supplies, and offer health education to local residents.
Vaughn, who has harboured a lifelong desire to become a medical missionary since she was 12 years old, and Cox, a lead EMT for GCU's Emergency Medical Services program, spearheaded the initiative. They were joined by six fellow GCU students, all sharing a common goal to make a difference.
During their stay, the students visited neighbourhoods with limited resources, treating people with various health issues. Simultaneously, they also completed volunteer hours at nearby hospitals, learning and performing medical procedures and treatments under the guidance of local doctors and nurses.
The team's efforts were bolstered by generous donations, including medical supplies from GCU health organizations. Cox, after working in a supply warehouse for a private ambulance company in her hometown, Las Vegas, sought to provide the same supplies for the medical teams she volunteered with in Puerto Penasco. She made a phone call to her former boss to secure boxes of gloves, masks, various medications, blood pressure cuffs, thermometers, and more.
The impact of this mission trip was profound. The students provided medical care, such as check-ups, vaccinations, and treatment for common illnesses, significantly improving the health outcomes for the local population. Moreover, the trip fostered connections between the participants and the local community, promoting cultural exchange and understanding.
Vaughn and Cox expressed that the mission trip was a great reminder of the blessings they have in their own lives. Seeing the gratitude of the people in Puerto Penasco, especially after they brought fruits and vegetables as a gesture of thanks, affected them the most.
Cox stated that the heart of Grand Canyon University has always been missions, and it is amazing that GCU provides opportunities for such trips. This medical mission trip to Puerto Penasco is just one example of how GCU students are making a difference in the world.
For those interested in learning more about GCU's medical mission trips or seeking to contribute, it is recommended to contact the university directly or check their official website for updates on such initiatives.
- The students from Grand Canyon University (GCU), led by Zoe Vaughn and Sydney Cox, recently served on a nine-day mission trip in Puerto Penasco, Mexico, providing essential healthcare services and distributing medical supplies.
- Vaughn, who has aspired to be a medical missionary since she was 12, and Cox, lead EMT for GCU's Emergency Medical Services program, led a team of seven GCU students seeking to make a difference.
- The team visited underserved communities, treating people with various health issues during their stay, while also completing volunteer hours at nearby hospitals to learn and perform medical procedures.
- Generous donations from GCU health organizations, including medical supplies procured by Cox from her former boss in Las Vegas, supported the team's endeavors during their mission trip.
- The Honors College at Grand Canyon University offers programs that encourage education, self-development, and active participation in community events, like this medical mission trip to Puerto Penasco.
- The mission trip significantly improved health outcomes for the local population, providing check-ups, vaccinations, and treatment for common illnesses, while fostering connections between the participants and the local community, promoting cultural exchange and understanding.
- Vaughn and Cox expressed gratitude for the trip, acknowledging that it was a powerful reminder of the blessings they have in their lives and emphasized that Grand Canyon University provides opportunities for students to make a positive impact on the world.
