By Claire Regan
A recent mission trip to Guatemala gave students in Wagner College’s physician assistant (PA) program an opportunity to put their skills to use in isolated and underserved communities of the Central American country.
Treating everything from vitamin deficiency to persistent infections, 30 senior-class students in two cohorts provided general medical care to patients in village clinics under the supervision of Guatemalan physicians.
For Antonia Greco ’25, the February trip was a rewarding chance to apply the skills she has learned in the classroom and confirmed her decision to become a PA.
In spite of poverty in the villages of Panajachel, “there was so much beauty,” Greco said. “Women in colorful dresses were smiling and laughing. Families brought several generations to the clinic and were happy to see us — they gave us the biggest hugs.”
The patients live in isolated areas where medical care is not always available, Greco said, and were eager to meet the Wagner visitors. More than 100 patients were treated each day.
“They were beyond grateful we were there to help them.”
Translators helped the PA students understand common complaints of gastrointestinal and urinary infections. Because running water is scarce in remote areas of Guatemala, the students offered guidance about personal hygiene and laundering.
“There are so many benefits to this experience, from raising awareness of social responsibility to enhancing clinical skills and taking pride in one’s profession,” said Dr. Nora Lowry, executive director of the Wagner College PA Program. “And there is incredible bonding that occurs among the students and between students and faculty.”
Lowry accompanied the students with faculty members Sidney A. Obas and Oriel Rafaelov. She called the Guatemala mission trip “a true immersion experience” because the students immerse themselves in the culture and serve the indigenous communities in the mountains surrounding Lake Atitlan.
“As they provide medical care, they gain a deeper understanding of the importance of social responsibility and a respect for the art and practice of medicine,” she explained.
The Wagner College PA Program is a three-year professional curriculum incorporated into a five-year BS/MS degree. Each of the three years includes a dedicated international learning/service experience offered to the PA students of that cohort.
The trip to Guatemala is offered to all senior or Clinical Phase students, and typically 100%, or close to 100%, of the cohort participates, Lowry said.
After a week of seeing patients at several clinics, Greco and fellow students enjoyed a day of free time to explore Guatemala’s countryside, rich with volcanoes, mountains and lakes, and the town of San Juan La Laguna. A zip-line adventure took them over lush forests and Lake Atitlan.
“In my family, giving back is important, and this experience was so meaningful,” said Greco, a Staten Islander who looks forward to specializing in obstetrics and gynecology and becoming a leader in the PA industry.
“I’m passionate about women’s health and providing comprehensive care to women of all ages,” she said.
