Jina Kim, CRNA, Reflects on Medical Trip to Guatemala City

Written by Jina Kim, CRNA

In October 2025, Jina Kim, CRNA, joined Operation International Team ENT on a surgical mission trip to Guatemala City to provide care for a vast, underserved population.

While the team primarily focuses on head and neck malignancies, such as thyroid cancer, they also perform a wide range of complex surgeries involving the ear, nose, and throat.

During the clinic screening, over 400 patients were evaluated. For some, this consultation marked their very first healthcare visit. While some patients received reassuring benign diagnoses, others—though unable to be treated during this specific trip—left grateful to finally understand their condition and receive referrals to local providers. Fortunately, many others were cleared to receive immediate treatment and over the course of six days, the team successfully completed 80+ surgeries, restoring health and hope.