Open wide!  Ingrid Cherrytree, a medical student in her final year at OHSU, checks a young and squirmy patient.

The PazSalud Medical Mission went to Panchimalco, a community near San Salvador with a strong indigenous heritage, in February, 2008. Volunteer physicians, optometrists, pharmacist, assistants, and translators set up clinic stations in the rectory, built along one side of the beautiful colonial church.  Among the 26 volunteers for this mission were two CSJP Sisters, Aileen Trainor and Margaret Dimond. The photographs were taken by PeaceHealth's Bonnie Henderson, who also kept a journal of the mission.

The mission served over 1700 Panchimalcans during five days, in clinics for Pediatrics, Gynecology, General Medicine, and Eyes. Eye Clinic visitors were able to find a good match in the more than 5,000 pairs of glasses and sunglasses, donated by the Lions Club, A well-stocked pharmacy provided everything from antibiotics to eye drops.

Sister Eleanor Gilmore and PazSalud Manager Kathy Garcia made sure that transportation, meals, equipment, supplies and medications arrived on time and in place.  Sister Eleanor also shared her unique perspective on life in El Salvador during weekend visits in San Salvador and Suchitoto.

The clinics were a wonderful opportunity for the people of Panchimalco.  For the volunteers, those five days renewed their sense of mission and purpose, a gift that will return with them to their lives as Sisters or healthcare practitioners.

Sister Aileen Trainor helps a woman choose the right pair of glasses.

A young woman carries flowers for the church.

Tired feet?   Left to right, Sister Aileen Trainor, Sr. Margaret Dimond, Diane Spada and Cindy Hellerstedt share a break in a long day. 

A Salvadoran grandmother works her way through the eye chart.

A mother waits for her visit to the Pediatrics clinic with her young daughter.