By Chuck Garven, M.D.
In January 2005 I had a unique experience that drew me even more deeply into the Marquette community: I accompanied the Marquette student chapter of Global Medical Relief on a mission trip to Honduras in Central America. I was one of seven nurses and physicians accompanying about 20 Marquette students who were giving up the last week of their winter break for this service trip. One of those students was my son.
Honduras is the second-poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. We stayed in Nuevo Paraiso, a small village where battered and abandoned women and their children go to safely get their lives back in order. We spent a lot of time playing with the children. Their mothers extended profound hospitality by preparing our meals and providing us with rustic but lovingly cared-for housing.
Charge of the Medical Brigades
Each day, we gathered medicines, toothbrushes and other supplies and traveled to poor, remote areas in the Honduran backcountry to set up day-long medical clinics, known as Medical Brigades. The week we were there we provided medical care to more than 2,000 people. Illnesses treated included almost anything typically seen in the United States (although often at more serious stages because of delayed care) as well as intestinal parasite infections that are extremely rare in North America.
Community leaders helped with logistics — including setting up makeshift clinics in the local two-room schoolhouse and arranging for continuity of care for people with chronic illnesses. We also worked with them on public health issues such as clean water.
Marquette Students Made the Difference
Marquette students were impressive, on all levels. They organized the entire trip, from fund raising and interviewing trip candidates, to collecting and packing medical supplies, to transportation and Spanish-language interpreting — everything that was needed for each Medical Brigade to run effectively. They were hard working, enthusiastic and respectful of the people they served. It was easy to see why many of them are considering careers in service, primarily health care. I was honored to be on their team.
We were also deeply moved by the people of Honduras. Though extremely poor, they taught us important lessons including hospitality, generosity, perseverance, flexibility and patience. Daily, they reminded us that genuine happiness is based on relationships, not material possessions.
We are Marquette!
I feel the true meaning of "We are Marquette!" more strongly now that I’ve had this experience with these remarkable students. I urge you to consider encouraging your sons and daughters to go on a Marquette mission trip. University administration works diligently to make safety and security top priorities; there was never a moment when I believed we were in a dangerous situation.
Mission trips provide powerful opportunities for leadership and service, and students return to Marquette even more academically motivated. They truly promote the Jesuit tradition of women and men for others.
Chuck Garven is a family practice physician. He and his wife, Eileen, live in Cleveland with their two other children, Maura and Kevin.
PROFILES IN SERVICE
- CJ. Egalite
- Gabrielle Misfeldt
- Conor Sweeney
- On a Mission: Dr. Chuck Garven
- Hunger Clean-up and
National Service Day - The Whole Community’s a Classroom
- Campus Kitchen
—Dr. Chuck Garven
Quick Facts About Marquette
| Identity: | Catholic, Jesuit, private |
| Established: | 1881 |
| Location: | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Undergraduate: | 8,048 |
| Postgraduate: | 3,500 |
| Campus: | Urban, 90 acres |
| Athletics: | 14 NCAA Division I teams (Big East) |
| Colors: | Blue and Gold |
