If you ever find yourself at a crossroads in your career—wondering what’s next, feeling a little burnt out, or questioning if you’re still on the right path— go on a mission trip. Go somewhere your skills don’t just make a difference, they are the difference. Go alone, far from your comfort zone, where you carry your own supplies in a suitcase, and where the quality of life is improved because you showed up. The growth that comes from this kind of experience is hard to put into words, but it changes you.
That’s exactly where I found myself—both literally and emotionally—during my week in the Dominican Republic with Mending Faces, a nonprofit that provides free cleft lip and palate surgeries to children who’ve often waited years for this life-changing care. It was my second mission trip, but my first working exclusively with pediatric patients—and honestly, it couldn’t have come at a better time in my career.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Gandhi
This trip wasn’t just about giving—it gave something back to me, too. It reminded me why I chose this career in the first place. It reignited a fire that had started to flicker. And it showed me, again and again, the kind of impact that compassion and teamwork can make—especially in those raw, tearful moments when a mother sees her baby’s face healed for the first time.
A Purpose-Driven Team
Mending Faces, based in the Denver area and established in 2010, runs like a well-oiled machine. This is a tight knit group, many of them volunteering on these trips since the beginning, so it was an honor to be a part of this team and representing this organization. From the moment we arrived, it was clear that every returning volunteer—surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, pediatricians, PAs—knew exactly what needed to be done. Medical professionals came from across the U.S., Switzerland, and Norway, creating a truly international collaboration.
Day One: Screening and Setup
The first day was all about logistics and assessments. The hospital we partnered with doesn’t provide supplies, so the group brought everything needed for the week, from gauze to anesthesia machines, to everything in between in 16 or so giant, heavy suitcases.
Once we arrived to the hospital, one group (my group) unpacked and sorted medical supplies, organizing the operating rooms and prepping our work areas for the busy week ahead. The other group evaluated over 60 children, eventually approving around 45 for surgery. Some had waited years for this chance. Some traveling hours to receive this care.
Day Two: Hitting the Ground Running
Surgery officially began. We performed 11 cases in about 11 hours—an intense but fulfilling day. I worked in PACU all week (post-anesthesia care unit), but since we were located right next to the OR, I was able to bounce in and out to observe and help. Being so close to the action allowed me to learn a lot from the team, and it deepened my interest in anesthesia—something I hope to pursue one day.
Days Three & Four: Tiny Patients, Big Emotions
The next two days were just as full. We operated on ten and eleven children respectively, some as young as 6 months old. Watching the transformation of these little ones—and the joy on their parents’ faces when they saw their child post-surgery—was indescribable. Many of the mothers cried tears of joy when reunited with their babies. Those moments will stay with me forever.
On Wednesday morning, I had a chance to play with a few of the kids before surgery. I hoped it might ease their anxiety to see a familiar face later in recovery, but, of course, all they really wanted was their mom when they woke up from anesthesia. Still, those moments were precious and heartwarming.
Day Five: A Birthday to Remember
Thursday was my birthday—and it was the most memorable one I’ve ever had. It started with walking to a local coffee shop for an iced latte, a peaceful solo walk to the bus, and a birthday serenade from the group on the bus on the way to the hospital.
That day, I assisted with intubating the first two patients (with supervision from the anesthesia team, of course), which was a huge milestone for me and such an exciting learning opportunity. The group did 9 total cases this day.
Later on, while we had some time before next the patient came to PACU from the OR, I visited the children on the ward who were staying overnight for their surgery the next day. Seeing them alert, smiling, and comfortable was such a rewarding shift from the grogginess and discomfort of PACU.
Once we finished up for the day, it was time to get on the bus to head back to the hotel and get ready for our one group dinner of the week. This hadn’t happened yet this week, but the bus was 45 minutes late to pick us up and got stuck in bad traffic, maybe due to the torrential down pouring rain or accidents along the way. We decided it would be easier for our group to walk to the bus a few blocks away so we didn’t have to continue waiting.
I’d say the traffic in Santo Domingo is worse than the 405 in CA and i25 in Denver. IYKYK.
After about an 11 hour hospital day, a 1 hour bus delay, we all finally made it on the bus! As we begin to drive away, we hear a loud crunching noise, followed by a halting stop, next thing we know the bus is stuck and can’t go anywhere! Turns out, the road literally collapsed beneath us and so here we are, high centered and hanging out in a giant sink hole. (Good thing they put coolers of beer on the bus for us each day after work!) With the help from some of our people and a few locals, they were able to help direct the driver to get us turned around and out of the sink hole! Hooray!
After another hour of traffic, we arrived to our hotel. We quickly changed and walked about a block to the restaurant for our group dinner. I felt fortunate that this also happened to be on my birthday! After a tasty dinner and a few speeches about the week, the team surprised me with a birthday cake complete with sparklers. I felt honored to share this cake with this group and extremely grateful.
Day Six: The Bittersweet Goodbye
Friday was a shorter day, with fewer surgeries so we could pack everything back into the suitcases we arrived with. It felt bittersweet—wrapping up a powerful, emotional, and exhausting week. Each day, besides Friday, were about 12 hour days from the time we left our hotel in the morning to the time we got back to the hotel at night. Long days but worth every minute, even the time spent in the sinkhole!
That evening, we finally had time to explore the colonial district of the city, which is the part of the city our hotel was in. Unlike the part of the city our hospital was in, this district was safe, historic, walkable, touristy, and had many amazing restaurants we were able to eat dinner at throughout the week. It wasn’t until the last night where we got to walk around before the sun had set, and realized how much beauty, history, and culture surrounded us. Even though our focus had been solely on the patients at the hospital all week, being able to explore and submerge in the culture felt like the cherry on top of this trip.
Before arriving here in the DR, I had no idea that 1.) We’d be staying in such a cool part of town in the colonial district, and 2.) That this district is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was interesting to learn about the rich history here.
Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas. Founded in 1496 by Bartholomew Columbus (Christopher Columbus’s brother), it’s home to the first cathedral, castle, and paved street in the New World. The city’s Colonial Zone—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—is rich with cobblestone streets, vibrant architecture, and centuries-old landmarks like the Catedral Primada de América and the Alcázar de Colón, once home to Columbus’s son. Walking through it felt like stepping back in time, with every corner telling a story.
After walking around and soaking in every last minute in this beautiful city, we landed at our favorite restaurant of the week. I may or may not have eaten here 3 times this week…They had an incredible risotto, carbonara, and a traditional local dish called mofongo, all of which kept me coming back for more!
Saturday: One Last Stroll
The final morning was a peaceful one. Blue skies (finally!) and one last stroll through the colonial district, giving me time to soak it all in, reflect, and feel some closure on this incredible week. Then I was off in a 3 hr van ride to meet my husband on the beach in Punta Cana for a few days.
Beyond the Surgeries
The week was about more than just procedures. It was about people—sharing meals, making connections, and even stopping for rooftop drinks under the full moon. Our outreach team made sure we were well cared for, organizing happy hours, providing coolers of beer for the bus rides home, bringing in a local masseuse to ease our sore shoulders, and treating us to delicious local food—rice plates, empanadas, and more.
The friendships made on this trip feel meaningful and lasting. You learn a lot about someone when you’re working 12-hour days together in a foreign country away from your comfort zone. There’s a deep bond that forms, and it’s something I’ll always cherish.
My Why
Since I can remember, I’ve always wanted to make a meaningful impact. Although I’ve been in a stagnant place in my career lately, this trip reminded me exactly why I chose a career in nursing. It reignited my purpose at a time when I really felt lost and needed that spark. This trip was everything I needed and more, it was humbling, rejuvenating, and heart-filling in every possible way. It has provided me with a new lens of perspective, purpose, and gratitude for all that I have.
I came to help others, but—like most medical missions—I walked away with more than I gave.
Until next time, DR. ❤️
“Be the change you wish to see in the world” – Gandhi
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