Family, Medicine, and Mission: A Father-Son Duo Make an Impact with One World Surgery
Tell us about yourself – what do you do and what was your volunteer role with One World Surgery?
Dr. Fernando Valdez: I am a family practice physician and medical director with Optum WellMed in San Antonio, Texas. I volunteered with One World Surgery (OWS) as a primary care provider.
Marcos Valdez: I’m from San Antonio, Texas. Currently, I am a Physician Assistant Student, and I was a general volunteer with OWS alongside my dad and brother, Adrian.
What motivated you to volunteer individually and as a family with One World Surgery? How many missions have you been on?
Dr. Fernando Valdez: For a while I wanted to do volunteer work abroad, but I did not know how or where to start. In an Optum Partnership Forum, OWS co-founder Dr. Peter Daly asked for volunteers to start a primary care mission in the Dominican Republic. I saw this as my opportunity to take action and fulfill my desire to help others outside U.S. borders. After my first mission, I shared my experiences with friends, coworkers, and my family. At that time, Marcos was an emergency medical technician (EMT) and took an interest in volunteering. As I had hoped would happen, my son gained a new perspective around serving others. For the months that followed, Marcos and I would reminisce about our experience in the mission. This grew my wife’s interest and within a year, Marcos, wife and I went to the Dominican Republic for a mission together. The impact of the trip was discussed at the dinner table on many occasions, and this time, my youngest son was bit by the curiosity bug of serving. This year both of my sons and I returned to the Dominican Republic on another primary care mission. I have volunteered in five missions all together and look forward to many more with my family.
Marcos Valdez: I was first interested in volunteering with OWS when my father started going on medical mission trips with OWS. Hearing him talk about his experiences and the joy he had providing care made me want to join! My father saw how excited I was, and I had the opportunity to join him on my first medical mission trip to the Dominican Republic in 2021. After sharing a meaningful experience together, we agreed to one day have the whole family do a mission trip together. Since then, all four of us had the privilege to volunteer in the Dominican Republic. I’ve been a part of three mission trips so far, and I hope to visit the site in Honduras one day soon.
What has surprised you most about working with the One World Surgery team and seeing the impact of their work firsthand?
Dr. Fernando Valdez: What surprised me the most is how resourceful OWS is. The logistics involved with preparing for a mission is daunting, but OWS makes it seem like any other day at work. The team is always prepared to handle issues as they come up. They have a plan B if plan A does not work, and if plan B does not work, they will work with plan C. The team does not let setbacks spoil their mission. They are always enthusiastic about their work and share the success of their accomplishments. The greatest impact that I have witnessed is the growing education within the community. After so many years of planning and helping patients, I noticed many were more educated on their health needs. They understood the importance of taking their medications and why return follow-ups were necessary. When a patient has vested interest in their health, that is a major success for any organization that aims to improve a community.
Marcos Valdez: I was amazed how the OWS team was able to organize and make such an impact with limited resources. Each staff member shared the same passion for helping others, and that passion translated to the work they were able to accomplish. Each time I visit the site in the Dominican Republic, I am shocked at how much it’s grown since the first time I volunteered four years ago.
Can you share a specific moment during your missions that left a lasting impression on you?
Dr. Fernando Valdez: A lasting impression that stayed with me was not a result of my work, but something that what my wife did on one of our trips. She was assigned the task of finding a pair of glasses that best matched a patient’s prescription. This patient just needed reading glasses, and my wife found a pair that matched this lady’s vision. My wife found a bible that was nearby and asked the lady to read it in order find out if it was indeed the right prescription. The lady read a verse form her bible in a voice that was soothing and touching. This brought tears to my wife’s eyes, and later she said to me that something as simple as giving a pair of reading glasses can bring back so much joy to a person that has been struggling. She then understood how the work of OWS goes beyond helping others, but it helps us find ourselves. Even to this day my wife talks about how those green reading glasses made this person’s eyes look so beautiful. She will never forget the experience and now understands why I look forward to returning and taking others.
Marcos Valdez: During my first mission trip, Ramon (OWS Health Promoter), my father, and I did house calls in a local batey. Many of the patients we saw had difficulty leaving their homes. Being able to help treat these patients in their homes made me want to have a career in medicine even more. I even included the stories in my personal statement for Physician Assistant school.
What would you say to others interested in volunteering?
Dr. Fernando Valdez: For those that are interested in volunteering, I say go for it. The experience is different for everyone, but everyone will have an impact on patients and themselves.
Marcos Valdez: You will meet incredible people who share similar passions. Not only will your help have a lasting impact, but you will also have so much fun that you will want to come back!
Tell us about yourself – what do you do and what was your volunteer role with One World Surgery? Dr. Fernando Valdez: I am a family practice physician and medical director with Optum WellMed in San Antonio, Texas. I volunteered with One World Surgery (OWS) as a primary care provider. Marcos Valdez: I’m from San Read More