On Sunday evenings, Pre-Med student Jordan Sullivan heads to Hyer Hall for an important meeting. In room 111, SMU’s chapter of the Global Medical Brigade meets for its weekly meeting. The crew may not look like much on its own, together they are making a difference, providing medical care for those in need. Junior Bryce Jenson is a member of the club.

“Global Brigades is a club that sends college students to help out abroad in less developed communities,” he said.

SMU’s Global Medical Brigades may meet on campus but their real work takes place halfway across the world in Panama.

“In Panama we helped organize medical supplies to give to the communities, we helped set up these pop up clinics,” Jenson said. “We set up clinics in different communities, have general check-ups with their people,” Sullivan adds.

The Medical Brigades work helps helps international communities learn more about the importance of sanitation and health. The brigade often works with local doctors. Colton Ciaverra is the president of the club.

“The doctors know everyone that lives there pretty well, they know how the culture kind of works, so it’s really helpful to have them there,” Ciaverra said.

The club is currently making plans for its next international trip, for now, the member focus on fundraising and raising awareness. Ciaverra says students from all over campus are welcome in the brigade.

“you can come to our fundraiser, our general member meetings, our volunteer events throughout the year,” Ciaverra said. “It’s always helpful to have more people come to volunteer events, always helpful to have them come to fundraising events.”

Outside of meetings, Sullivan looks forward to helping more communities in need.

“You don’t really realize that there’s places where they don’t have access to general medical care,” she said. “It’s important that we go to these places and help them, educate them on how they can live their day-to-day lives.”