Team members at IU Health West Hospital spend each day caring for patients in their local communities through their work at the hospital. That drive to help others has led several team members to take that mission beyond the hospital walls, and serve people in other areas of the United States and abroad. From Kenya to Turkey to Jamaica and more, we sat down with a few IU Health West clinical team members to chat about their recent experiences, and the “why” behind their trips.
Jennifer Boston
Physical Therapist
Eighteen years at IU Health West
How many trips have you been on? When and where did they occur?
Eight medical trips to work with Missions of Hope International in Nairobi, Kenya. 2012-2018, and 2024
How did you help medically during the trips?
Physical therapy with special-needs children. I was able to provide physical assistance to the family while showing to the community that these children have value, and they aren’t a “curse” on their family.
What inspired you to go?
I initially went to Kenya to try to be a blessing to the people there, not realizing that I would be the one who was blessed. Working with kids with disabilities in the Mathare Valley of Nairobi was totally out of my comfort zone, but when Missions of Hope International asked me to work with these kids, I agreed, and my life has changed. The people have very little, but the joy they have because of what Jesus has done in their lives is beyond comprehension.
Leslie Gibbs
Lead Emergency Medicine Nurse Practitioner
Seven years at IU Health West
How many trips have you been on? When and where did they occur?
More than 20 (not sure of exact number). 2015-2022. Multiple refugee camps across Greece and Turkey; long-term Tibetan refugee medical care in Zanskar, India; Standing Rock Reservation, North Dakota; multiple migrant camps on the U.S.-Mexico border.
How did you help medically during the trips?
Medical provider, primary care and urgent/emergency care; team leader; board member, medical non-governmental organization.
What inspired you to go?
I believe all humans should have access to health care when they need it, and in the obligation of those with resources to share with those without.
Eric Peak
Team Lead, Pharmacist
Fourteen years at IU Health West
How many trips have you been on? When and where did they occur?
Ten trips total (eight non-medical and two medical). Guatemala, India, and Liberia were non-medical trips from years past. 2023 – served on a medical clinic boat that traveled along the Amazon River in Brazil. 2024 – served on a medical mission trip to the Dominican Republic with practitioners and a group of health care students from Butler University. Included daughter, Carli, a Butler student studying public health and psychology; she is also a trained EMT.
How did you help medically during the trips?
In Brazil and the Dominican Republic, I worked as a pharmacist serving the pop-up medical clinics our team provided.
What inspired you to go?
My faith in Jesus has taught me to use my time, talent and treasure to serve others. In the past two years I have discovered opportunities to use my medical knowledge in service.
Tonya Mitchell
Registered Nurse and Ambulatory Procedure Unit and Post-Anesthesia Care Unit Day Shift Clinical Coordinator
Twelve years at IU Health West
How many trips have you been on? When and where did they occur?
Five trips. February and July each year except February 2024. In Jamaica.
How did you help medically during the trips?
February trips – meet up with the preschools to pass out toothbrushes and toothpaste, as well as teach dental hygiene. July trips – health screens and pass out Tylenol, ibuprofen, vitamins, ace wraps, triple antibiotic cream, knee braces, ankle braces and reading glasses.
An eye doctor’s office here at IU Health West gave me a lesson on how to interpret what reading glasses people would need, and we have given over 200 pairs of reading glasses. A lot of these have been donated by my nursing team.”
What inspired you to go?
The feeling of making a difference in someone’s life with the things we take for granted is humbling. My most rewarding times are when I do reading eye tests and give out reading glasses. Those smiles when they can see what they are reading warms my heart.
Aaron and Shanele Rhoads (married)
Aaron Rhoads
Registered Nurse in Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab
Nine years at IU Health West
Shanele Rhoads
Registered Nurse in Ambulatory Procedure Unit and Post-Anesthesia Care Unit; Also serves as Surgical Services Bereavement Coordinator
Eleven years at IU Health West
How many trips have you been on? When and where did they occur?
Aaron has been on several mission trips, including: 2004-2005 – Mexico; 2005 – Costa Rica; 2012 – Kenya; 2016 – Uganda.
Shanele has been to: 2005 – Mexico; 2012 – Kenya.
How did you help medically during the trips?
Casa de Ninos (San Luis Potosí, Mexico): Spent time with the children and helped to repaint a building at a local Christian college. Traveled to neighboring cities to preach the gospel of Christ.
Agua Viva Ministries (Bri Bri, Costa Rica): Provided supplies and aid to remote villages in the Talamanca Valley after suffering from a devastating flood. Rebuilt and remodeled parts of the Agua Viva church.
Missions of Hope International (Mathare Valley, Nairobi, Kenya): Opened a medical clinic to serve the Missions of Hope school children and the residents of the Mathare Valley of Nairobi. Spent time with the children who attended the school and visited with their families and others in the community.
What inspired you to go?
Aaron: By serving others, I have the tremendous privilege of reminding people of their immeasurable value – value that is not merit-based, nor is it attached to our race, gender, creed or bank account. My mission is to live out the words of Jesus, to love God and to love others.
Shanele: Mission trips help open your eyes to the needs of others outside the comforts of America, and provide the less privileged with things they would normally not have, like medical care, dental care, Bibles, toys and more. I was able to witness the power of Jesus through healing, kindness, labor, prayer and people.
