Pharmacy Team Returns to El Salvador on Service Trip

This summer, students from the Wegmans School of Pharmacy joined the School’s 20th medical service trip to El Salvador, serving about 1,600 patients over the course of a week.

A decade after traveling to El Salvador as a pharmacy student, Nicole Delello ’18 served as trip preceptor for a third time guiding current pharmacy students Erin Kennedy and Erica Guarino, as well as nursing student Alana Crittenden and pre-health student Victoria Capuli. As supervising pharmacist, Delello was in charge of the pharmacy inventory and final verification of the medication prescribed and dispensed. Practicing at the top of her license, she collaborated with students to select appropriate treatments based on patients’ diagnoses.

“Watching Erin and Erica work through a treatment plan and watching them grow with confidence over the week was amazing,” said Delello. 

With Delello’s leadership and mentorship, the students gained firsthand experience in patient care, clinical decision-making, and interprofessional collaboration. 

Kennedy, who is a fourth-year pharmacy student in the campus pathway, participated in the trip as one of her advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) rotations served as “second-in-command” to Delello. In her role, she would fill prescription orders from prescribers and do home visits for patients unable to make it to the clinic.

“During the home visit I went on, we had an end-of-life discussion with a woman’s husband and although it was very sad, it really showed me a side to healthcare that I had not yet seen in person and that I feel like not many pharmacy students would be able to experience without trips like these,” shared Kennedy. “It was amazing to see how grateful our patients were even though it felt like we could only provide a little bit of care.”

She added that having limited internet access challenged her to trust in her training and use what she has learned to make clinical decisions. 

As a second-year pharmacy student in the online pathway, Gaurino worked in every step of the pharmacy workflow, reading prescriptions, filling them, staging them for verification, and
counseling patients. Working with patients both in the clinic and through home visits exemplified how meaningful it is to work as a pharmacist. 

“It didn’t matter how hot and humid it was every single day; what mattered most was showing up for the people there. Seeing individuals arrive with so much hope simply to receive help and to be truly seen puts everything into perspective,” she said. “This taught me that pharmacy isn’t just about the mechanics of filling a prescription—it’s about human connection and presence.”

The interprofessional trip demonstrated to students how effective communication and mutual respect for each other’s roles from different disciplines bind together cohesively to provide exceptional patient care. Ahead of the trip, the team spent time getting to know each other to build a foundation for the work they would be doing together and prepare posters for general health education to provide in the clinic. 

During their time in El Salvador, students experienced and learned about the local culture of San José Villanueva, enjoying local restaurants, shops, and landmarks, including touring the royal palace and learning about St. Oscar Romero. 

“So many people regret or wish they had the opportunity of experiential learning. If you have the opportunity to go on a medical service trip or study abroad, do it,” said Delello. “These opportunities help students be more understanding of different cultures and experiences, making them more empathic and well rounded healthcare professionals  and people.”

Kennedy and Guarino shared encouragement for students to participate in a medical service trip for the personal and professional growth you can experience. 

“I would recommend to any student to pursue an experience like this. It may look daunting but it really changed my outlook on healthcare and how simple acts can really make a difference,” said Kennedy. 

Gaurino agreed.  “If you are looking for an opportunity to know yourself on a deeper level and to encounter hearts that will soften your own, come and see what I saw—beauty, kindness, love, and joy. Come with an open heart and an open mind.”