Footnotes Summer 2024 - 21

Stepping into Service: APMSA's
First Medical Service Trip to
Guatemala
By Danica Pratta, TUSPM Class of 2025
Amid the lush landscapes and vibrant culture of Guatemala,
a dedicated team of podiatric medical students, representing
six podiatry schools, embarked on a journey that would leave
a lasting impact on both the community they served and their
professional lives. From March 9th-17th, 2024, the American
Podiatric Medical Student Association (APMSA) launched
its first-ever medical service trip to Guatemala, marking a
significant milestone in their commitment to global health
outreach and student education.
APMSA partnered with an international non-profit
organization, Vida Volunteer, to provide ethical
and meaningful medical attention to patients across
Guatemala. Vida Volunteer has served patients in
underserved countries across Central America since
2008 and has established relationships with the
community APMSA served in Guatemala. Working
under the licensure of Dr. Zavala, a Guatemalan
physician specializing in diabetic foot complications,
and accompanied by APMSA Faculty Physicians, Dr.
Cicchinelli and Dr. Roman, first through fourth-year
students were able to gain hands-on learning experience
while providing quality healthcare to patients in need.
Guatemala, like many underserved countries, faces significant
health challenges, especially among the rural population.
According to Bream et al. (2018), we can expect the national
average of Indigenous people with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
SUMMER 2024
Students reading vascular studies.
Case discussions with Dr. Cicchinelli.
21
Footnotes Summer 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Footnotes Summer 2024
