GLOBAL OUTREACH & HUMANITARIAN MEDICINE
My First Humanitarian Journey to Bali – 2008
In 2008, I embarked on my first humanitarian medical mission to Bali, a journey that would forever change my heart.
Each morning we traveled to villages where the Balinese people welcomed us with extraordinary warmth and kindness. The village chief would gather the community, setting up beautiful open-air palapas with treatment tables and encouraging everyone to come for care. Under thatched roofs, surrounded by tropical gardens and the gentle sounds of village life, we practiced acupuncture for women, children, and families who often had little access to healthcare.
As a Nurse-Midwife, I was naturally drawn to the pregnant women, listening to their stories and caring for them with both my Western medical experience and Chinese medicine. During the mission, I also had the privilege of learning pediatric acupuncture from Dr. Soma Glick. Our days began with classes, where we expanded our knowledge, and then we ventured into the villages to put those lessons into practice, treating children and adults with compassion and respect.
Bali was unlike anywhere I had ever been. Everywhere we turned were colorful offerings of flowers and incense placed lovingly at temples, homes, and pathways. Hindu rituals were woven into everyday life, creating an atmosphere of reverence, gratitude, and peace. The island's beauty was breathtaking—lush rice terraces, ancient temples, and smiling faces that reflected a deep connection between nature, spirit, and community.
My husband, Alan Weissman, a professional photographer, documented this extraordinary journey through his camera. His photographs captured not only the stunning landscapes but also the quiet moments of connection between healer and patient, preserving memories that words alone cannot fully describe.
What remains with me most is not simply the acupuncture we performed or the medical care we provided. It is the spirit of the Balinese people—their generosity, resilience, gentle smiles, and unwavering sense of community. They welcomed us into their lives with open hearts, and in return, they taught us lessons about gratitude, humility, and the healing power of human connection.
The people we met, the children we treated, the pregnant mothers we cared for, and the sacred spirit of this paradise island have stayed with me ever since. That first humanitarian journey became the beginning of many others, but Bali will always hold a special place in my heart. It reminded me that healing transcends language and culture and that sometimes the greatest gift we receive is not the one we give, but the one we carry home forever.
MYANMAR
MYANMAR (BURMA) HUMANITARIAN EAST-ASIAN MEDICAL TRIP 2013
January 2013, I provided humanitarian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine to women, men, children, monks, and nuns in the Sagaing Hills of Myanmar at the Wachet Jivitadana Sangha Hospital. This remote region, situated along the peaceful Ayeyawaddy River, is considered the spiritual heart of Myanmar. The hills overlooking the river are filled with pagodas and monasteries, preserving and sharing the ancient Buddhist wisdom for which this remarkable area is known.
The local villagers and the dedicated hospital staff welcomed our Acupuncture Medical Team with extraordinary kindness, generosity, and support. Our team was led by Dr. Soma Glick, Lac, who brought together a group of experienced and compassionate acupuncturists to provide medical care to the community. During our two-week mission, we treated more than 600 patients. Every person we cared for expressed heartfelt appreciation for the attention, compassion, and healing they received.
In addition to treating patients, we mentored the acupuncturists working at Wachet Hospital by sharing treatment protocols and discussing additional therapeutic approaches. These practitioners were highly skilled, conscientious, and deeply compassionate. While we were there to teach, we learned just as much from them. Their generosity, dedication, and kindness left a lasting impression on all of us.
One experience has remained especially meaningful to me. A husband and wife traveled for three days from the Myanmar–China border in hopes of receiving fertility acupuncture after hearing about our clinic from the wife’s sister, who lived nearby. The couple waited in line for an hour each day before their appointments. I treated them with the assistance of my interpreter, Acupuncturist Aye Aye, who was pregnant at the time. Their care included acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, nutritional guidance, and discussions about general health and reproductive wellness.
Three months later, I learned that they were expecting a baby. Although I treated them for only two weeks, they continued their care with Aye Aye after our team returned home. More than a decade later, I am still in contact with them. Their story continues to remind me of the profound impact that compassionate healthcare can have on people’s lives.
2022 Update
I have remained in contact with my colleagues in Myanmar since our mission in 2013. The years following the political unrest have been extraordinarily difficult for them. They have shared photographs and personal accounts documenting the hardships they continue to face. Their resilience, courage, and commitment to caring for others despite these challenges remain deeply inspiring.
