Stories of Impact: Salud y Paz Service Teams
Every year, international service teams help Salud y Paz reach communities that have little access to consistent healthcare. Teams allow us to serve more patients, identify health concerns that may otherwise go untreated and connect people with additional support.
The impact of a service week does not end when a team returns home. Many patients identified during these visits are referred to our central clinic for follow-up, particularly those living with chronic conditions. Over time, we see patients commit to their care plan, returning for appointments, taking their medications and working with our healthcare team to manage their condition.
Numbers only tell part of our story—the true impact of our service teams lives in the voices of the people they serve. Francisco, Tomás and Juan are three of our patients whose powerful stories show how a single visit can open the door to treatment, follow-up care and a healthier future.
Impact in Action
A New Opportunity to See Clearly
During a medical outreach clinic with Hands of Healing, 49-year-old Francisco shared that he had struggled with his vision for several years after an injury to his right eye. At the clinic, Francisco received an eye examination and was fitted with glasses that helped him see more clearly. The team also diagnosed Francisco with early signs of cataracts.
Because of the partnership between communities, service teams and Salud y Paz, Francisco’s case was referred to our social worker for follow-up, ensuring he could access the care needed to improve his vision long-term.
A Life-Changing Surgery
Tomás came to the Salud y Paz clinic hoping to receive surgery for a painful hernia. Because of his age and lack of identification documents, additional planning was needed before he could safely undergo the procedure.
With the support of his son, Salud y Paz and the Pulaski Heights UMC surgical team, the procedure was then scheduled, enabling Tomás to proceed with the surgery that would greatly improve his quality of life. He recovered well and returned home the same day.
Finding What Wasn’t Expected
When Juan, a community leader from one of our partner communities, attended a Hands of Healing rural clinic, his hope was to receive glasses. As part of Salud y Paz’s ongoing chronic care program, patients over 30 years of age who seek vision services first have their blood pressure and blood sugar checked.
Juan’s blood pressure was found to be dangerously high, revealing a chronic condition he had not previously been managing. He received medication and was connected to the Salud y Paz central clinic for continued follow-up and support to help bring his blood pressure under control.
These stories represent just a few of the ways service teams make a difference. By bringing medical, dental, vision and surgical services directly to our partner communities, teams help us extend care to patients we could not reach through one clinic alone.
Want to see what this impact looks like in real life?
Join us in 2027. We are already preparing for our 2027 teams season and we invite you and your team to join us.
Your time, skills and heart to serve can help us reach more patients, strengthen access to healthcare and build lasting relationships with our partner communities.
Reserve your team’s spot for 2027.
Reach out to Jenny at teamcoordinationdirector@saludypaz.org to learn more.
Together, we can reach farther, care more deeply and build healthier communities.
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