SLIPPERY ROCK — Destined for Peru, Macie Johnson boarded a plane for the first time in her life. But she wasn’t just traveling out of the country — she was embarking on a life-changing journey for both herself and communities in need.

Johnson, a Slippery Rock University junior biology major from Kane, traveled with 11 other students and Miranda Falso, associate professor of biology, to establish health clinics and provide community assistance to five low-income communities in Lima, the capital of Peru, from May 24 to June 1.

“Alongside doctors and other professionals, we were able to diagnose conditions and illnesses and prescribe people medications to treat people who otherwise may not have gotten the care they needed,” Johnson said.

Kane native Macie Johnson in Peru.

She learned of the opportunity through SRU’s chapter of MEDLIFE, a nonprofit partnering with low-income communities in Latin America and Africa to improve access to medicine, education and community development projects.

During one of Johnson’s OB/GYN stations, a woman was diagnosed with breast cancer and a follow-up treatment was planned. Without the clinic, this condition may have never been found.

“This is something that could’ve gone undetected and untreated without MEDLIFE’s care,” Johnson said. “The awesome thing about MEDLIFE is they give continuous care to patients that need it; it doesn’t just stop for them after us volunteers leave.”

Johnson and the SRU group also constructed a flight of stairs for one community.

“The people of the communities we visited were living in small makeshift houses with metal roofs and clean water was delivered in huge tanks to the houses if they could afford them,” Johnson said. “Most of the buildings were made from whatever they could find.”

For Johnson, the impact went far beyond the potentially life-saving check-ups and community projects. During one of the mobile clinics held at a school, she bonded with younger patients while administering dental hygiene.

“We connected with the children of the communities by playing and taking pictures; they were super happy from these small gestures,” Johnson said. “Even something simple, like taking a picture, made their day. A couple of the kids even prepared a dance and speeches for us, saying how grateful they were that we came to their school.”

The experience wasn’t all work. Besides the volunteer efforts, the group explored Peru’s geography and culture. They rode a speedboat through Paracas, spotting penguins and sea lions along the coast. They visited Huacachina, a rare desert oasis, and explored the Miraflores district, where they stayed throughout the trip. At Love Park, perched above Lima’s cliffs, the students took in panoramic views of the Pacific.

“I came home with a new perspective on life along with a bunch of new friends and memories,” Johnson said.

Enrolled in the 3+2 pre-physician assistant option at SRU, Johnson is aspiring to become a physician assistant in pediatrics, women’s health or dermatology. During the clinics, she gained practical experience for her future career such as how to conduct a Pap smear and breast examination, make filling paste for cavities, operate a glucometer and how to properly listen to patients’ lungs using a stethoscope.

Along with assisting the local community and gaining field hours needed for her future profession, the experience helped confirm Johnson’s true motive for pursuing a career in health care.

“Although all the stuff I learned will be helpful for my future career, this whole experience reinforced why I chose health care,” Johnson said. “I am now even more passionate about advocating for special populations like the underserved communities we helped.”