About Trips
Overview
DOCARE International’s global health outreach trips are at the heart of our mission—bringing osteopathic medicine and compassionate care to medically underserved communities around the world. For more than 50 years, DOCARE volunteers have partnered with local communities to help address gaps in access to healthcare through ethical, service-driven outreach.
From our earliest days, DOCARE has embraced innovation and commitment in service. Early volunteer teams famously flew their own airplanes to reach remote Indigenous communities in Northern Mexico, laying the foundation for an organization rooted in adaptability, service, and global impact. That spirit continues to guide our work today.
Over the decades, DOCARE has expanded its outreach to communities across Central and South America, Africa, and other medically underserved regions. Many of our outreach sites have benefited from repeated visits over time, allowing DOCARE to build trusted relationships with local partners and better understand the evolving healthcare needs of each community.
While initially focused on short-term medical outreach, DOCARE has intentionally expanded its model to support long-term partnerships that prioritize continuity of care and year-round clinical services delivered by local providers within the community. Our outreach trips are designed to complement and strengthen these locally led efforts, ensuring that care remains accessible even when volunteer teams are not on-site.
Each year, DOCARE offers global health outreach opportunities that welcome volunteers from a wide range of medical professions and academic programs. These trips provide meaningful clinical service, cultural immersion, and the opportunity to work alongside dedicated local healthcare professionals in settings where the need is greatest.
Medical students and residents seeking longer-term international clinical experiences should refer to the Rotations section of our website for program details and application materials.
Preparing to Participate
Providing healthcare abroad can be a deeply enriching experience and a powerful opportunity to grow. To help you plan and prepare for your trip, we present this page.
Short-term global health outreach volunteers’ travel preparations should expect this information to supplement detailed information they receive from trip directors after signing up via our upcoming trips page.
To begin, please read this Overview of the Global Health Experience (PDF) from past-President, Kelli Glaser, DO
Travel Preparations Checklist and Health and Safety Overview
Please see the Pre-Trip Planning and Travel Preparedness for International Activities presentation (PDF). In addition, please download these one-page guides to trip planning, health, and safety:
- A comprehensive Checklist for Volunteers on DOCARE Trips (PDF)
- Additional Health and Safety Advice for Volunteers on DOCARE Trips (PDF)
- Packing List (PDF)