Fiji Medical Mission Leaves Lasting Impact on Locals & Students

From March 19 to 29, 23 students and two nursing professors from Pacific Union College traveled to Mana, Fiji for a medical mission trip. Accompanied by physicians, dentists, and nurse practitioners from Loma Linda University, they treated 271 medical patients, 101 dental patients, and 53 optical patients.

During their 10 days in Mana, the most needed service was dental care. Jeff Joiner, PUC associate professor of nursing and emergency services, shared that they could have seen twice as many total patients in dental appointments as their team did. In addition to dental care and exams, PUC students had the opportunity to conduct medical screenings, treat skin infections, and provide eye exams and corrective lens fittings. They also educated and treated over 100 patients with acute and chronic pain and provided home visits to local residents.

While this was a medical mission trip, the team took half a day to enjoy the island by snorkeling. Surrounded by fish and sea turtles, this was a wonderful opportunity for students to take a break and experience Fiji before returning to their mission in the clinics. In addition to providing medical services, PUC students hosted Vacation Bible School every afternoon, which was an impactful time for everyone involved.

Providing these medical services was one of the new experiences many PUC students had, along with being in Fiji for the first time and, for some, traveling outside the country. “As an instructor, it is always enriching to see your students perform new things in new environments!” expressed Joiner.

Despite living on limited resources, PUC students observed their communities' resilience and unity. Student Maia Blundell shared a moment she had in the clinical environment, noting the “overwhelming sense of gratitude and joy on the community members' faces.” “It reinforced the impact of presence in nursing and reminded me that the act of showing up, listening, and caring is just as powerful as any treatment,” said Blundell.

For student Paola Flores, this mission trip taught her a lot. “It strengthened my commitment to public health and serving underserved populations. I developed greater cultural awareness, improved my communication skills, and learned to be resourceful in delivering care,” she said. “Moving forward, this experience will shape my nursing practice by encouraging me to focus more on preventive care, patient education, and addressing social determinants of health.”

Going on this mission trip was a meaningful opportunity for these PUC students. Not only did they witness the effect of their mission of care and service for the people of Mana, but it also changed their perspective as nurses—teaching them the importance of cultural humility and relationship-centered careers, which also made them think about their future careers in nursing and global health.

Since returning stateside, PUC student Andrea Kaylie Liwang has had an unbelievable experience that they described as “very eye-opening.” “I believe this experience has impacted me deeply,” she said. “It has inspired me to actively search and volunteer for mission projects such as this one in the future.”

For the last four years, PUC’s nursing department has assembled a team to serve in Fiji, continuing their mission of supplying and serving their community. PUC BSN Program Director Sandy Ringer plans to continue the nursing department's annual spring break mission trips next year for health students in the BSN program.

Joiner hopes his students gain satisfaction from these mission trips, especially in remote environments, which he says is a unique experience that not every nurse or healthcare worker experiences. “The opportunity to continue the healing ministry of Christ by providing healing or comfort to all patients, no matter how remote they are, is something satisfying, and I hope it triggers these young nurses to want to do it again!”

While these students chose to spend their spring break volunteering in another country to help change others' lives, this mission trip also left a lasting impact on them. Through their acts of service, they gained a worthwhile, moving experience, showing how transformative these mission trips are for them and their careers.