SOSH Helps Underserved Communities in Mexico

Eight students and three faculty members from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University recently traveled to Mexico on a humanitarian mission trip to help underserved communities.

The group saw 2,430 patients during seven days of in-clinic experience in La Barca, Mexico, representing the University’s chapter of the Student Optometric Service to Humanity (SOSH).

“It was extremely exhausting, and I felt privileged to contribute to the SOSH program at Salus,” said Alice Mungyu ‘25OD, vice president of the SOSH chapter at Salus.

In addition to Mungyu, students on the trip included Maya Hinton ‘25OD; Khabirah Acosta ‘25OD; Jasmine Quintana Avila, ‘25OD, SOSH chapter president; Abby Williams ‘25OD; Jiyoung Chun ‘25OD; Elle Cornman ‘25OD, SOSH chapter treasurer; and Veronica Byun ‘25OD, SOSH chapter external fundraiser. Faculty members supervising the students included Bhawan Minhas, OD, Resident ‘14, FAAO, associate dean of accelerated programs at PCO/Salus; Lauren White, OD ’19, PCO instructor; and Korey Patrizi, OD, Resident ’21, PCO assistant professor.

“The most rewarding part of this experience was seeing the excitement on patients' faces when they can see clearly with an updated prescription,” said Mungyu. “This ultimately improves their quality of life and helps them regain a sense of self-sufficiency. With the skills I learned from optometry school, this opportunity provided a real and positive impact on the community access to eyecare.”

Humanitarian work has been part of the SOSH chapter’s mission for more than 50 years. Each year, SOSH travels to a third-world or developing country to provide free eye exams, glasses, ophthalmic medications, and when permitting, referrals for surgery to those who would otherwise not receive them because of access.

“I have always had an interest in completing a mission trip but never had the opportunity,” said Acosta. “I had no idea what to expect going in but talking to the doctors that had been the previous year was very comforting. I knew that it was going to be a lot of work and I knew that I was going to learn a lot.” 

First and second-year optometry students must fundraise and/or attend SOSH fundraisers to reach 80 service hours by the end of their second year to attend the service trip in August of their third year. In addition to the faculty members from PCO/Salus, the students also bring donated glasses, medications, and optometric equipment to provide the best care possible to those in need.

SOSH is affiliated with the national optometric service group VOSH (Volunteer Optometric Service to Humanity) and works closely with the Lions Club as well as corporations such as Allergan, Cooper Vision, and National Vision, Inc. to name a few. Some past trip locations include Haiti, Panama, California, El Salvador, and Belize.

“My experience was very similar to what I expected. The food was amazing. The travel days were tough but rewarding,” said Acosta. “Being on this trip reminded me of why I fell in love with optometry. I connected with many of the patients and will remember this experience for the rest of my life.”