As I sit writing this, on the cusp (hopefully) of the beginning of the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, I can’t help but look back on the past year and reflect on what I know and what I still don’t yet know. The past year has completely shifted my personal and professional knowns and unknowns.
I know that the work of Medan is special, innovative, compassionate, and life changing. I heard about Medan when it was first in Anita’s mind and thought it was simply a brilliant idea. I followed the early stages on the periphery with eager wonder and excitement. In mid-fall of 2020, I felt a strong urge in my heart to join this group. As I have become more familiar with the work of the group, I now understand how important the mission of this group is, and I’m excited to be an integral part. What I don’t yet know is when we will be able to carry out our first trip. I can say with certainty that our team is working tirelessly to arrange travel soon, while taking COVID into consideration. I know the trip will be life changing for the students, the staff, and the families at RAEY, as well as for those of us who are able to travel.
I know medicine. I’ve been practicing as a Physician Assistant in various medical settings since 2006. I know about common pediatric health issues. I know about school health. I know about nutrition and exercise. I know about mental health. I’m a well-seasoned clinician. I’ve dealt with emotionally difficult situations more times than I’d like to admit. What I don’t yet know is how all of my training will stack up when I travel to one of the poorest areas of the world, with limited access to electricity, running water, and basic food items. Will western medicine make sense once I get there? Some of it will. But, I’m willing to bet that I will need to troubleshoot limited internet access, I will need to think outside the box to come up with an appropriate treatment plan, I will need to counsel students and families through the use of a translator, and I will likely face health care and social challenges that are far more emotionally difficult than what I can currently imagine. I know that the children will be provided with excellent health care, however, which will help set them up to succeed both academically and in their futures.
I know that there will be challenges once we return to the US and begin the longitudinal aspect of our care. There will be easy challenges, anticipated challenges, and hard challenges. I know the Medan team will meet these challenges with grace, grit, and determination. I know that despite the challenges we will face, there will be lives bettered, health outcomes improved, and relationships forged. There will be personal growth. What I don’t yet know is how many lives will be improved, changed, and saved. I don’t know how I will grow as a medical provider, wife, mother, friend, sister, and Christ follower. But, I am eager to find out! I know that all involved in this mission — the health care team, the financial supporters, the staff, the students, and the families at RAEY — will all be blessed by this work. I know that the blessings will be many and fruitful. I KNOW that this is an amazing team and partnership. I KNOW that only good can come!
Written by Aimee Simmons, Physician Assistant and Medan Initiative board member.