Chief Shane Stocking’s Medical Mission Trip to Peru

From September 20th to September 29th, Chief Stocking participated in a medical mission trip to the Puno Region of Peru, specifically the city of Ayaviri, Peru. This was over his twentieth medical mission to Peru and Africa and his eighth to this specific spot with this team. He has been participating in these volunteer missions since 2013.

These are locally led missions, where we bring in the people, supplies, and specialists to supplement, not replace, existing medical care as we look to empower communities. Past missions have included cooperation and training with militaries, local medical providers, and disaster relief.

This specific mission is an annual mainstay of medical care to the people of Ayaviri. Local teams spend the whole year prepping for our arrival and arranging transport for patients to see us. The location is approximately 14,000 ft in elevation along the Andes mountains, and the people here come for hours to see us as we are the only care they can count on all year. This is a remote, harsh, dry, and barren mountain climate. We provide basic primary care, minor surgeries, quality interventions, pediatric care, dentistry, physical therapy, psychology, and optometry. We have lab and imaging services, all brought in, and arrange for all follow-up and further surgeries so we have a continuum of care.

The team numbers about 150 people, with about 50 being North American specialists and 100 Peruvian volunteers, organized and funded by “Caritas”, which is catholic charity (though the mission is non-denominational).

Specifically, Chief Stocking is one of the mission leaders and organizers. He is the Triage Leader/EMS Director, primarily focusing on group safety and medical direction. He serves as the main logistical/medicine supplier and is the point of response for any urgent medical needs. He is also the main “I have a question” answerer, though he never passes up an opportunity to practice creative medicine or play with the countless kids.

Chief Stocking said, “I am incredibly blessed to have been able to love and serve the people of Peru again this year. Thanks to the SPOFR Commissioners for encouraging their brand-new chief to continue to lead this mission. Being able to provide for one of the most underserved populations in the world is an emotional but fulfilling experience.”

Pictured is 8-year-old Raizele, who has been cared for by the team on every visit to Peru.
Also pictured is the surgeon reviewing a dislocated hip X-ray with Chief and Paramedic Stocking.