The first Iowa Miles of Smiles Team was in 2005 – and 20 years later, Iowa MOST is still going strong thanks to the power of relationships. The initial relationships created even before that first mission have continued to evolve and expand, and today Iowa MOST is as close to a “finely oiled machine” as you can get in a location where you can always expect the unexpected.
One of the keys to Iowa MOST’s success is the team. Many of the team members have been here multiple times. Not only do they help ensure a safe and successful mission, they also help new team members get up to speed quickly, and they contribute a great deal to the continued relationship building that is at the heart of Iowa MOST.
The team is led by three people: the medical director Dr. John Canady, the mission director Deb Dunkhase, and Juan Francisco Fernandez who handles the in-country logistics and is fondly known as El Corazon (The Heart) of the mission. All three of these team members have been critical to the ongoing evolution of the Iowa MOST team and mission.
The Hospital Especialdades – Salus 1 is another key to Iowa MOST’s success. Being able to return to such a nice hospital each year (which shuts down part of its operations to accommodate the mission) and have such tremendous support from the hospital staff.
The Iowa MOST mission would not be possible without our partner Rotary Club in Huehuetenango. The Rotary Club members help in many different ways: connecting the team with people and resources across the community, volunteering during screening day, identifying additional potential partnerships, advertising about the mission to the community. We also have enjoyed having the Rotaract students help–many of whom are the kids of the local Rotarians.
Three years ago, Iowa MOST started working with a local shelter which helps with unhoused individuals in the Huehuetenango, including many indigenous families who have traveled a long distance for medical care at the local national hospital. This year’s screening day was held at the House of Mercy shelter (which is a beautiful and large space, and includes a playground for the kids) and it was a vast improvement over the early years when we had to try to cram everyone into a very small area. But the biggest improvement is for the families we are serving, since Iowa MOST pays for their accommodations and the shelter is an amazing partner in welcoming them and providing a great space for families.
Iowa MOST has one driving principle: to deliver patient-centered medical services. To do that, respect and care for the health and well-being of the families is paramount which in turn ensure we maintain a “safety first” mission and an open heart to all.