Dr. Julie Mattson on Her First Medical Mission with One World Surgery
Can you describe your background and what inspired you to volunteer with One World Surgery (OWS)?
I’m a family physician with over 30 years of experience. The last 17 years of my career have been spent working in urgent care with Optum Washington, previously The Everett Clinic. Earlier in my career, I practiced traditional family medicine and primary care.
But before medical school, I was a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic. I was doing public health work between college and medical school, and that experience really stayed with me.
I had done a few international trips since then, but once kids came along and my career progressed, that kind of work went on the back burner. Then, in the fall of 2024, we received an email from Dr. Jeff Adams—an ENT surgeon at Optum Washington and a member of One World Surgery’s clinical board—sharing that OWS had set aside volunteer spots specifically for Optum Washington providers on a mission in the Dominican Republic.
My kids are in college now, I had the time, and my husband was supportive. I immediately thought, “I’ve got to do this.” It had been in the back of my mind for years, and suddenly the opportunity lined up. I also liked knowing I wouldn’t be going alone. I’d be volunteering alongside colleagues I already knew, which made it less daunting.
What aspects of OWS’s mission and work resonated with you?
What really stood out to me was that OWS isn’t just dropping in for a week or two and then leaving. This is an integrated organization that’s embedded in the community. That continuity of care really resonated with me. From my Peace Corps days, I remember always talking about not wanting a “Band-Aid” approach to development work and this is not that.
This is about being part of the community and providing ongoing access to high-quality surgical and primary care for people who otherwise wouldn’t have it. That passion for service, combined with a sustainable model, really aligned with my values.
Can you share a patient experience that had a significant impact on you?
There were so many meaningful moments, but one that really stayed with me involved a two-year-old boy named Pere whom I saw at an outreach clinic in one of the batey communities outside the main clinic.
He was an orphan brought in by the woman who runs a local orphanage. She was concerned about large bumps coming out of his nose when he cried or got sick. As I asked more questions, I learned that he was extremely tired, fell asleep easily, snored heavily, and had very large tonsils.
At first, I was worried about other possible causes. We were able to check his blood sugar on site, which was thankfully normal. But then I started thinking about sleep apnea and how much that could impact a child’s development.
We were incredibly fortunate to have Dr. Jeff Adams, an ENT surgeon, on this primary care mission. I asked him to take a look, and he felt that Pere might benefit from having his tonsils removed.
From there, we coordinated with the local OWS physicians to arrange follow-up evaluation at a local medical center. I don’t yet know the outcome, but it was incredibly inspiring to see how everything came together.
Here was a child far from major medical care who suddenly had a real pathway to treatment that could change his life. And because of OWS’s connections and continuity of care, I felt confident he wouldn’t be lost to follow-up.
What challenges did you face during the mission, and how did you overcome them?
Language is always a challenge. I speak Spanish fairly well, but we also served many Haitian immigrants and descendants who spoke Creole. Thankfully, we had wonderful volunteers who helped translate, which made a huge difference.
Some of the hardest challenges were seeing the realities of daily life: limited access to clean water, basic hygiene, healthy food, and healthcare.
There were also broader social and political realities that were difficult to witness, especially for Haitian families who have been stripped of citizenship and can’t access public healthcare or education. It was heartbreaking and eye-opening.
The biggest lesson was adjusting your mindset and doing the very best you can with the resources available and recognizing the profound disparities that exist.
What personal or professional growth did you experience from this mission?
I went into this trip with an open heart, but also a little nervous and unsure of what to expect. There’s a learning curve, figuring out systems and workflows, but the growth came quickly.
Personally, it gave me a deep appreciation for what we have at home, even small things like a hot shower. Professionally, I gained tremendous respect for the local Dominican Republic medical team. Their ongoing commitment to this patient population is inspiring.
The medical center has a beautiful clinic, and the team does an incredible job with the resources they have. Their connection to the community and dedication to follow-up care really stood out to me.
What advice would you give to future One World Surgery volunteers?
If this kind of work is crossing your mind, even a little, I’d say go for it.
Go with an open mind, be flexible, and go with an open heart. Be willing to do whatever is needed. You may be a physician, but you’re also a volunteer, so that means making sandwiches, cleaning up after dinner, loading trucks, whatever comes up.
Have fun, too. Getting to know the patients, the local staff, and fellow volunteers from all over the U.S. is incredibly rewarding.
Bring donations if you can: reading glasses, basic medications, supplies. Some volunteers even brought toys and soccer balls for the Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH) kids.
Learn some Spanish if you don’t already, bring good bug spray, and focus on the people and their stories, not just their medical problems. Be curious about who they are and what their lives have been like.
And finally, practice your karaoke. There will be karaoke night, and the locals are incredibly talented. If you’re prepared, you’ll be a champion.
Do you see yourself volunteering with One World Surgery again?
Absolutely. It was a great experience, and I truly hope to go back again.
