[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www-old.faulkner.edu\/news\/faulkners-college-of-health-sciences-serve-in-guyana-on-medical-mission\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www-old.faulkner.edu\/news\/faulkners-college-of-health-sciences-serve-in-guyana-on-medical-mission\/","headline":"Faulkner\u2019s\u00a0College of Health Sciences\u00a0Serve in Guyana on Medical Mission\u00a0","name":"Faulkner\u2019s\u00a0College of Health Sciences\u00a0Serve in Guyana on Medical Mission\u00a0","description":"Last summer a group of 34\u00a0students, alumni and faculty\u00a0from Faulkner University\u2019s College of Health Sciences, local health partners\u00a0and members of\u00a0University Church of Christ and other churches of Christ spent a week in Guyana on a medical mission trip to serve…","datePublished":"2026-05-28","dateModified":"2026-05-28","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www-old.faulkner.edu\/author\/rburylo\/#Person","name":"Rebecca Burylo","url":"https:\/\/www-old.faulkner.edu\/author\/rburylo\/","identifier":5,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b11ad0b3405288ec09b3a45d64eeecbef24eb4e8351e0bd37061b326318a35ad?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b11ad0b3405288ec09b3a45d64eeecbef24eb4e8351e0bd37061b326318a35ad?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Faulkner University","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www-old.faulkner.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Official-Horizontal-480x128.png","url":"https:\/\/www-old.faulkner.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Official-Horizontal-480x128.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www-old.faulkner.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Group-Pic-GMM25-1.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www-old.faulkner.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Group-Pic-GMM25-1.jpg","height":1368,"width":2048},"url":"https:\/\/www-old.faulkner.edu\/news\/faulkners-college-of-health-sciences-serve-in-guyana-on-medical-mission\/","about":["Biblical Studies","College of Health Sciences","News"],"wordCount":1100,"articleBody":"Last summer a group of 34\u00a0students, alumni and faculty\u00a0from Faulkner University\u2019s College of Health Sciences, local health partners\u00a0and members of\u00a0University Church of Christ and other churches of Christ spent a week in Guyana on a medical mission trip to serve the physical and spiritual needs of the community.\u00a0Guyana faces significant healthcare challenges, particularly in rural and remote regions. Barriers such as restricted access to medical services, a shortage of healthcare professionals and economic limitations negatively impact the health of those living there. The mission, sponsored and funded by University Church of Christ and supported through grant funding by Making A Difference Foundation, was designed to integrate clinical service, cultural immersion and spiritual growth in alignment with Faulkner\u2019s commitment to holistic education and faith-driven service. Students and faculty provided hands-on care in underserved areas while strengthening partnerships with local health organizations and the congregations of Pleasant Church of Christ and Industry Church of Christ.  During the trip, the group served daily in a medical clinic, attended services at Industry Church of Christ and visited the Enmore Church of Christ Children\u2019s Home and Orphanage. Team members spent time in God\u2019s word each night and worked in the clinic during the day. Patients were triaged to medicine, optical, rehabilitation, auditory and pharmacy stations, receiving care for conditions ranging from colds and hypertension to stroke-related weakness and autoimmune disorders. Treatments included providing adaptive mobility equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers and canes, therapy sessions and referrals for follow-up care. Pharmaceutical medications were also provided to patients through the contributions of Blessing\u2019s International. Robin Irwin, professor in Faulkner\u2019s physical therapy program and medical director for the trip, said the experience transformed both patients and providers. \u201cThroughout this journey, we witnessed the true power of service\u2014strangers became a family united in purpose, compassion and faith,\u201d Irwin said. \u201cAs we parted ways, each person carried home a deeper resolve to serve, strengthened relationships and a renewed connection to God.\u201d The ministry team for the trip led by Dustin Jones with University Church of Christ, who served as Director of missions operations, included Brandon Pressnell, preaching minister at Madison Church of Christ, Josh Fowler, CHS campus minister, and Don Walker, minister at Lowndes County Church of Christ. Together with local missionaries Bruce and Naomi House and local minister Floyd Cato, they provided spiritual follow-up and set up about 60 Bible studies. The ministry team interacted with every patient, engaging them in spiritual conversations, asking questions and lifting them up in prayer.  \u201cWhen you think about Jesus\u2019 ministry, one of the powerful ways He built His influence was by helping people with their physical ailments to open the door to deeper, more spiritual conversations,\u201d Pressnell said. \u201cThat was our goal throughout the trip.\u201d One patient who was brought in by his family, was suffering from Post-Polio Syndrome. He could barely move into the room for treatment.  \u201cOur incredible team of therapists worked to give him more attention than he had had in a very long time,\u201d Pressnell said. \u201cHis lips quivered as he spoke in broken sentences about their care and compassion.  We prayed together for better days and I watched him cry as he walked more freely to the car taking him home.  It was touching because not only had he received incredibly skilled treatment, he was presented with the love and mercy of Jesus.\u201d Team members described their work in Guyana as life changing. Nearly 1,000 patient visits were administered during the four-day clinic. Patients expressed gratitude, with many returning multiple days and bringing additional family members. Members of the medical team from Faulkner University and University Church of Christ during worship at Industry Church of Christ in Guyana.For CHS students studying speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy and physician assistant studies, the experience offered lessons in adaptability and compassion. With limited supplies, physician assistants treated wounds, physical therapists used drawings to explain exercises and occupational therapists fabricated custom splints and orthotics. Vision screens and eyeglasses were also provided to patients. All services were given free of charge. A young man by the name of Jonathan came through the clinic looking for eyeglasses and stopped by the table that offered patients a religious survey. Fowler began talking with Jonathan. \u201cHe mentioned how there was so much evil in the world and was wondering how God would be able to protect him from this evil. I’m very thankful for Brandon Pressnell and his wisdom in turning to Ephesians 6 and highlighting that God has given us an armor to guard ourselves against the enemy,\u201d Fowler said. \u201cThat if God is our protector the battle is already won. Jonathan came into the clinic looking for some eyeglasses but left with a newfound strength and curiosity about the scriptures.\u201d\u202f One of the most memorable cases for Irwin was a home visit to a woman with an autoimmune disorder causing severe muscular inflammation, who had lost mobility after surgery. The medical team provided therapy, dietary recommendations, medication, a walker and a Bible at her request. Funds were also left with local missionaries to cover further treatment at a private hospital and consultation with a rheumatologist. Plans have been established to monitor her progress and maintain follow-up care.  Irwin said the trip reflected Faulkner\u2019s mission to prepare healthcare professionals who integrate faith into practice. \u201cBy working together, our students are empowered to promote the holistic well-being of those they serve\u2014addressing physical, emotional and spiritual needs,\u201d she said. Next year\u2019s mission will include a three-day clinic at Pleasant Church, a one-day clinic at Industry and a four-day camp at the orphanage. Students from both the College of Health Sciences and the College of Education will be invited. Those interested in supporting future missions can donate through Faulkner\u2019s website under \u201cGuyana Medical Missions\u201d at faulkner.edu\/give-now "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/www-old.faulkner.edu\/news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Faulkner\u2019s\u00a0College of Health Sciences\u00a0Serve in Guyana on Medical Mission\u00a0","item":"https:\/\/www-old.faulkner.edu\/news\/faulkners-college-of-health-sciences-serve-in-guyana-on-medical-mission\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]