At a local elementary school in rural Panama, with temperatures reaching 100°, residents gather to receive care that most of us take for granted: primary health and dental care, nutrition consultation, health education, and more. These services are rare for this population. Even with affordable public healthcare, many Panamanians cannot access emergency care or routine visits. This is where Global Brigades steps in.
Global Brigades is a non-profit, student-led organization working alongside communities to implement sustainable health and economic structures. This past spring, St. Ambrose University’s chapter brought over 20 students, faculty, and alumni to rural Panama to provide care and infrastructure construction.
“It’s gaining cultural humility and person-centered skills by working with patients and systems you are not familiar with and being comfortable being uncomfortable,” said Dillon Markley ’26, a nursing major and co-president of SAU’s Global Brigades chapter. “I gained hands-on learning while experiencing first-hand health in a different country within a different culture and local challenges.”
A week of service learning
In Panama, each day began early, with the St. Ambrose brigade traveling to different communities. They set up clinics that included public health surveys, doctor visits, dental care, pharmacy, and education. Students assisted with dental procedures and documented patient information, leading and supporting health education efforts.
Melissa Escutia ’28, a business administration major with a psychology minor, says the experience reshaped her understanding of service and the role she can play in aiding others. Escutia worked in several stations, including dental and health education, where she helped lead interactive lessons for children.
“It was very engaging,” she said. “We would educate children on how to brush their teeth and teach them about clean water and why it’s important.”
Although Escutia is not pursuing a healthcare career, she says the experience still connects directly to her future in business and human resources. Through constant communication and problem-solving, she was able to practice skills that translate to her intended field.
“I was able to talk to so many different people and build connections, and that aligns well with human resources,” Escutia reflected. “We also learned about sustainable practices in non-profits prior to our travels, which aligns well with my business degree.”
Students across multiple disciplines joined the trip and are active members of SAU’s Global Brigades chapter, including education, business, nursing, and social work majors.
In addition to their clinical work, students also spent time assisting on a construction project, building the foundation for a water system at a local school. Students rotated between tasks – forming bucket lines, mixing materials, and working alongside local leaders to keep the project moving throughout the day.
“It was cool,” Markley said. “Everyone’s trying to step into a role and contribute to the team effort.”
This new water system, which the brigade had a hand in, provides the community consistent access to clean water. Before, the water had to be brought in daily.
Leadership and community service
In the months leading up to the trip, the SAU Global Brigades chapter worked to raise more than $80,000 to support travel expenses, medical supplies, educational materials, and community partnerships. The funds helped provide free medical and dental care, as well as hygiene products for the patients. It also supported local workers and professional medical staff in the communities they served.
As co-president, Markley played a key role in organizing the trip, including coordinating meetings and preparing students for the experience. His involvement was driven by a desire to expand opportunities for other students after his experience in Honduras on a previous brigade.
“It was a very large task, but it’s worth it,” he said. “Encouraging people to come, setting up fundraisers, planning meetings, finding donations. We engaged St. Paul the Apostle School during Catholics School’s week to help gain school supply donations, bringing together social justice across diocesan schools.”
In addition to fundraising, the SAU Global Brigades chapter is committed to expanding its volunteer reach at home. Participating in service in the Quad Cities supports the students’ belief that volunteering in their backyard is an essential part of their mission to drive sustainable change on a global scale.
Lasting impact
The St. Ambrose Global Brigades chapter formed after a smaller group of students participated in a 2024 brigade in Honduras. The trip left a lasting impact on alumni like Victoria Declerq ’25, who participated as an alumna in Panama.
“Partnering with Global Brigades in both Panama and Honduras has shown me the power of accessible care in underserved communities,” Declerq said. “These experiences have strengthened my desire to address health disparities and support sustainable solutions.”
It’s a reminder that the impacts of these brigades reverberate beyond the single trip, shaping students long after they return home.
“These experiences have strengthened my nursing skills in ways that I could never have on the floor,” reflected Pagie Barber ’25. “After both trips, I brought back new appreciation for people of different cultures and their views of medicine.”
“These experiences shaped my belief that a healthier world is built together, through relationships and understanding,” said Nicloe Kleronomos ’24. “These brigades have shaped my approach to compassionate, patient-centered care, helping each patient understand their health in a way that is accessible to them.”
Elizabeth Braun Khoury ’18, ’21 OTD is struck by the intentionality behind the Global Brigades model – not showing up as a savior, but rather a partner.
“Global Brigades has a very holistic model,” Khoury said. “They truly want to address all of the needs of a community. All of the professionals we worked with were from Panama. It creates more sustainability within their country and their community.”
For Khoury, the experience reinforced the lasting impact of service, connection, and the St. Ambrose community.
“You’re surrounded by people who want to help and build community across the world,” Khoury said.
“I hope we can keep people going back,” Markley added. “And keep that culture of being service-based and community-based.”
Join SAU Global Brigades
Inspired to participate in SAU’s Global Brigades activities? Contact the SAU chapter at sauglobalbrigades@sau.edu.
