Carroll College faculty, healthcare providers, and students returned safely last weekend from another successful Medicine in Mexico outreach trip, marking the third mission since COVID. The group was hosted at Santa Maria del Mexicano in Colón, Querétaro, Mexico, by Fr. Dan Estes, S.O.L.T., assistant priest Fr. David Snow, S.O.L.T., the S.O.L.T. Sisters, and several dedicated volunteers who serve the school and mission community.
The Carroll College faculty advisor for the trip was Dr. Kyle Strode. Healthcare providers included Darren Hollenbaugh, M.D.; Cindy Hollenbaugh, M.D.; Kally Wilson, P.A.; and David Lechner, M.D. Participating students were Carmen Manalang, Clarissa Ball, Cassandra Ball, Emma Barron, Spencer Berger, and Walker Jump.
During the week, the team provided comprehensive wellness medical exams, including optical and dental screenings, for students, faculty, staff, and religious members of the mission. Seeing the sustained improvement in health outcomes year over year continues to be deeply gratifying. Fr. Dan repeatedly expressed his gratitude, sharing how meaningful it is for the mission to receive this care, as routine medical services are often difficult to access and afford. After exams are completed, providers share a list of patients needing further follow-up so the mission can triage and prioritize ongoing care.
Carroll students played an essential role throughout the clinic, serving as translators and medical scribes while learning hands-on clinical skills such as history-taking and physical exams. Providers pointed out abnormal findings including heart murmurs, moles, and rashes, creating invaluable real-time learning opportunities. Darren Hollenbaugh, a cardiologist, also performed portable echocardiograms when indicated and delivered a highly anticipated lecture on cardiac anatomy and physiology, tying together physical exams and electrical studies like EKGs. This session remains a highlight of the trip each year.
Students also prepared and delivered health education lessons to Mexican students on dental care, nutrition, hand washing, and exercise. The presentations were conducted entirely in Spanish, complete with student-created props. The school principal specifically praised the quality of the presentations and the students’ Spanish fluency, expressing surprise that several had learned the language specifically for this trip.
Beyond the clinic, the group embraced the experience as a community, living and working together like a family and supporting one another throughout the week. Safety remained a priority at all times, with no concerns during travel or programming. The team also consulted the Security Department’s international threat map prior to departure.
The trip made a profound impact on students, as reflected in their own words:
“What an incredible experience! Participating in the Medicine in Mexico 2026 trip is something I will be forever grateful for. This was a truly eye-opening experience, as we experienced firsthand what daily life is like for the children at the Santa Maria Mission and how genuinely happy they are. The interactions I had with the children will be connections I hold in my heart forever. I was one of the students with limited experience with the Spanish language, so many of my interactions were non-verbal. The smiles on the children's faces absolutely lit up the room, and we realized we did not necessarily need Spanish to be able to communicate, which was very special.
The opportunity to work with our incredible trip leaders Dr. Darren Hollenbaugh, Dr. Cindy Hollenbaugh, Dr. David Lechner, Kally Wilson, PA, and our Faculty Advisor Dr. Kyle Stode helped me think more deeply about my impact when I myself become a Physician Assistant. I enjoyed getting to work with each provider and seeing how they each approached the clinic in different ways, how they each interacted with the children, and how they each took a great deal of time to share their incredible knowledge of medicine with each of us on the trip. The lessons and large bits of knowledge will be things I hold with me through applying to PA school, attending PA school, and one day becoming a PA.
I highly recommend that any Carroll student interested in this experience apply and see for themselves how impactful this experience truly is.”
~ Emma Barron, senior, Whitefish, MT, Health Sciences and Public Health majors, Biology minor, Pre-Physician Assistant Pathway
“The Medicine in Mexico trip was truly a life-changing experience. I had the opportunity to learn so much about medicine from the incredible healthcare professionals we worked alongside. During this trip, I learned to step outside of my comfort zone by using my Spanish to build relationships with the community at Santa Maria and to assist in medical examinations. Additionally, I gained a deeper understanding of what medicine truly means—not only treating patients’ health conditions, but also showing the people we serve as healthcare providers that we care about them.”~ Walker Jump, senior, Coeur d’Alene, ID, Health Sciences (Pre-Med) major, Chemistry & Spanish minors
"Being part of this trip was an incredible experience and opportunity that I am so grateful for. Not only was connecting with the kids in Santa Maria a memory that I greatly cherish, but getting to know the people on this team has also been so special. Experiencing a new culture and getting to serve in an underserved community has opened my eyes in many ways. Some big takeaways I have gathered from this trip are the importance of connection, in everyday life and within healthcare, as a small interaction can have a large impact on a person's life. Despite not having a lot, the kids of Santa Maria choose to approach their life with joy and gratitude, and always wear a smile on their faces, showing us there is always something to be grateful for. The opportunity to experience rural Mexico has emphasized the importance of being present, as taking time away from stressors and our phones allows us to immerse ourselves in the moment. This is an amazing learning experience and opportunity to connect with those in a new culture!"
~ Carmen Manalang, senior, Bothell, WA, Biology major, Chemistry minor
Outside of clinic hours, the group immersed themselves in the cultural and historical richness of the region. They toured the Basilica de la Virgen de los Dolores de Soriano in Colón, enjoyed meals from a local family street vendor, and spent a day exploring Querétaro, including visits to the Catedral de Querétaro, San Felipe Neri, and the Convento de la Santa Cruz. Students learned about the convent’s role in Mexican history, including its connection to the Mexican Revolution and the final days of Emperor Maximilian I in 1867. The trip concluded with a celebratory meal shared with Fr. Dan before departing the following day.
A favorite tradition also returned: the “killer hike,” a challenging climb up the mountain behind the school that gains 1,000 feet of elevation in just over a mile. All students completed the hike successfully, earning a stunning view of the surrounding countryside and an unforgettable group photo at the summit. Evening reflections throughout the week gave students space to share openly about their experiences and observations.
The trip was fully funded through donations raised during Carroll College’s Day of Giving, with a significant portion provided by the Lund Trust. The outreach is led by Montana Outreach Clinic LLC, owned and operated by Darren Hollenbaugh, Cindy Hollenbaugh, and David Lechner. The clinic continues the legacy of Carroll alumni Tim and Char McInnis, who originally founded the mission. Coordination was supported by Carroll College and Shannon Ackeret through the Global Education Department, with special thanks extended to Dr. Kyle Strode for his tireless work throughout the year and his leadership on the ground.
Without exception, this group of Carroll students proved to be an inspirational and exceptional cohort of young adults. The future of healthcare and service is in excellent hands. The team looks forward to many more years of providing this transformative experience and continuing to serve the students, faculty, and staff of the Santa Maria mission community.
~ Excerpted from overview provided by David Lechner, M.D
Additional student reflections:
“This trip played a vital role in helping me understand the type of physician I hope to be someday. I got to shadow 4 amazing physicians while I was down there. As a physician you are blessed with many opportunities and privileges in the U.S. After watching and talking with the physicians, I have found the importance of true healthcare, which is not only physical well being but mental and biopsychosocial well being. I have found that it is also important to me to be philanthropic when I am a physician. Being able to give back to communities who need help will allow me to reach my full potential as a physician.
The biggest thing I learned about myself from this trip is the importance of human connection and the importance of materialistic items in life. The kids there lack materialistic items, they have no phones and no cellular connection which in turn introduces human connection. They don’t have the ability to sit on their phone and watch tik tok, instead they spend time outside together playing soccer, talking, relaxing, or whatever they feel called to do at that moment. The connection they have between themselves is a bond that cannot be broken. They use each other to find happiness and peace in their life.
Serving the communities down in Mexico showed me the importance of family. They might not live the most lavish life, but to them having family at your side and having that support group is the most important thing to them. The multigenerational homes play an important role in their families and showed me the importance of one day hopefully having the opportunity to care for my parents when they get older as they cared for me when I was younger.
The most valuable hands-on experience was shadowing the physicians. I got to learn how to interact with patients and learn the importance of good communication. Even with communication barriers the physicians knew the importance of building a relationship with the patient. I also loved being a part of assisting in the physical examinations and getting to do small things like look in ears and throats.
The most meaningful thing to me was learning about the importance of materialistic things. I often find myself on social media when I am with my friends, but now I realize the importance of just sitting with your friends in the moment and enjoying the connection we have with one another. I also loved seeing the smiles on all the kids' faces, which just showcases how far a smile can go when around a stranger.
Outreach experiences like this are so important for helping students engage in other cultures while also finding purpose in helping others. As a Christian, helping others and giving to those in need is a key thing. Being able to do this helped me grow in my faith and as a person as a whole.”
~ Spencer Berger, senior, Billings, MT, Biochemistry major, Chemistry minor
“The most valuable experience that I had from Medicine in Mexico was the ability to use what we had in front of us. We didn't have any fancy equipment or even a designated clinic for all the children, but our team put our best foot forward and got to work. We were able to turn a library into a patient clinic by rearranging chairs for a waiting area, covering tables with blankets for patient examinations, and hanging up drapes for privacy. The professional medical personnel who accompanied us students did have the basics such as a stethoscope, gloves, masks and an otoscope for checking the ears, nose and throat. These instruments went a long way in determining the children's overall health, but I believe the most important tool we used was the context clues around us. It was very important for us to rely on what we saw and what we heard. It was easy to see how a child was feeling just based on the way they walked in and how they acted in the waiting area. There is so much that you can get out of a patient just based on the story they tell you and the types of questions you ask. I wasn't only trying to get the kids to share their concerns with us, but to also create a connection with them to establish a foundation of trust. Sometimes, all it takes is having a lighthearted conversation with your patient to understand them better.”
~ Clarissa Ball, senior, Billings, MT, Chemistry major, Spanish for the Health Professions minor
"The Medicine in Mexico trip was an experience full of growth and learning. It was very meaningful to me to learn some basics of medical exams and to converse with the kids. I love getting to speak Spanish, especially when I am immersed in a culture where that is the main language. So translating back and forth between the team members and patients was something that I enjoyed. The hands-on experience of learning side by side with the medical professionals helped me improve my Spanish skills and added to my medical skill set of how to take someone's blood pressure, how to perform a basic eye exam, and even how to measure a patient's blood glucose level. This may have all been done in a makeshift clinic that we set up ourselves, but we were able to provide meaningful care for the children at Santa María. This experience had so much student involvement which is essential to learning more about medical care, people interaction, and cultural competency in a Spanish speaking country. The Medicine in Mexico trip was one of the best ways for a student like me to receive direct work with patients and physicians while also giving my time to provide care for others.~ Cassandra Ball, senior, Billings, MT, Chemistry major, Spanish for the Health Professions minor