title: Carrying our founders' mission overseas.
abstract: Catholic' health care providers have a calling to care for people in need, and that mission does not stop at geographical boundaries. In fact, U.S. health facilities in many cases were founded by overseas religious communities with a mission. Providing aid internationally enables U.S. sites to carry on that legacy. Although Americans traveling overseas to provide aid usually expect to be "teachers", they often find themselves becoming "students" instead. They learn to provide care without the advanced technology that is available in developed countries. They often experience cultures in which people can only hope for care access and in which patients are deeply appreciative of the services they receive. This type of education can change U.S. health care providers' perspective of their role and of the services they deliver. While gaining this wisdom-and imparting their own knowledge-providers also affect the quality of life of people in developing countries. In the end, global aid can create a better world for everyone, benefiting not only the recipients but also the worldwide community. When developing countries become more stable, develop stronger infrastructures, and have healthier citizens, other countries benefit from this progress.
authors.affiliation: Trinity Health International, Farmington Hills, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D002410:Catholicism; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D008849:Micronesia; D012066:Relief Work / Q000458:organization & administration