08/21/2026
For the second year in a row, Geisinger medical students traveled to San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala, through a growing global health initiative. The 2026 experience, in partnership with Friends of San Lucas Mission, highlights rising student interest in global health education and Geisinger’s commitment to preparing future physicians to deliver patient-centered care in any setting.
This summer, first- and fourth-year students worked alongside Geisinger physician mentors in community-based clinics serving rural communities around Lake Atitlán. Building on the success of Geisinger’s inaugural 2025 trip, the program continues to emphasize long-standing community partnerships and mutual learning.
The area around San Lucas Tolimán is among the most medically underserved in Central America. During 5 clinic days, student teams cared for more than 130 patients across 5 rural communities, treating conditions ranging from vitamin deficiencies and headaches to asthma, infections and diabetes.
For many students, it was their first time practicing medicine in a resource-limited setting. Many described the experience as transformative, reinforcing lessons in empathy, communication and the social factors that influence health.
