MEDICAL MISSIONS · GUATEMALA · MEXICO

Minnesota Doctors for People

For 20 years, MDP has sent medical mission teams to Guatemala and Mexico to provide free health care to underserved communities.

Upcoming trips
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MDP is celebrating 20 years of mission — join us August 22, 2026

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Who we are

Minnesota Doctors for People assembles teams to bring free medical care to communities that rarely see a doctor. We're a small, volunteer-run nonprofit out of Mankato, Minnesota — doctors, nurses, pharmacists, interpreters, and non-medical people — who travel each year to rural Guatemala and the Chiapas region of southern Mexico to set up clinics in villages where care is otherwise out of reach.

We work with local churches and service organizations who know their communities, trust us because we keep coming back, and tell us exactly where care is needed most.

In 20 years we've made 35 trips, seen over 15,000 patients, and sent more than 350 volunteers.

Learn more about MDP

There’s a place for you on these trips

MDP trips need a full team. Find where you fit.

Medical Volunteer

If you work in medicine, your skills are needed. MDP trips are built around a core clinical team: doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, and other medical personnel

Interpreter

Interpreters are essential to every trip. If you speak Spanish - fluently or conversationally - you can bridge the gap between patients and providers in a way no one else can.

General Volunteer

Some of our most valuable volunteers have never seen a patient. They've stocked and managed the pharmacy, captured the stories, kept the clinic running. No medical background required — there is a role for you.

Getting started

From curious to clinic. Here’s what the process looks like to get involved with an MDP trip.

  • Fill out a short form telling us who you are, what you do, what trip you are applying for and what draws you to the mission.

  • A member of the MDP team will be in touch to learn more about you, answer your questions, and talk through what a trip actually involves.

  • Based on your background, availability, and the roles needed, we'll match you to a specific trip — either Guatemala or Chiapas, Mexico — where you'll be the most useful.

  • Before you leave, you'll connect with your fellow volunteers, go through an orientation, and get everything you need to know — what to pack, what to expect, and how the clinic runs.

  • You go. Fly down with your team and get to work.

Apply Now

Stories from the Blog

Our blog is written by volunteers sharing stories of what they have seen and reflections on their experiences.

“It is one of those opportunities that is difficult to adequately explain But within oneself it is life-changing.”

— Dr. Aaron Johnson

Medical Doctor

“I experienced beauty firsthand, and it would take a fool to ever see the world the same after witnessing such things.” 

— Adrian Brown

College Student & Translator

“When arriving in the Trinidad community where we will have clinic, the community members are in full swing preparing a space for our clinic The mission of MDP is a powerful one and everyone wants to be involved in some way.”

— Maximilian Brown

General Volunteer

Read more Blog Posts

Follow along with MDP on our socials!

In Guatemala and across Central America, many rural communities still face major barriers to healthcare access - including long travel distances, limited specialists, and shortages of medical resources. MDP remains committed to supporting underserv
In Guatemala and across Central America, many rural communities still face major barriers to healthcare access - including long travel distances, limited specialists, and shortages of medical resources. MDP remains committed to supporting underserved communities through compassionate medical outreach, education, and volunteer service. Every trip is powered by people who believe healthcare should be accessible to everyone!! 🌎🩺🤝🏥 #GlobalHealth #MedicalMission #CommunityCare
There’s something powerful about seeing this story come full circle. This video by Casey Ek capture the heart of Minnesota Doctors for People - a mission rooted in compassion, built on relationships, and sustained by a commitment to show up year after year. What began as a response to a real need in San Lucas Tolimán has grown into decades of partnership, care, and trust. For many families, these clinics are more than medical care - they are a lifeline. But even more than that, this work is about trust, listening, and walking alongside a community over time. Grateful to be part of a story that continues to unfold 💚💙
Happy Easter from MDP!⛪️🌿 This season reminds us that even in the most challenging of moments, hope can rise. We are continually inspired by the strength and resilience of the communities we serve and grateful to stand alongside them. This Easter
Happy Easter from MDP!⛪️🌿 This season reminds us that even in the most challenging of moments, hope can rise. We are continually inspired by the strength and resilience of the communities we serve and grateful to stand alongside them. This Easter we reflect on the power of showing up for one another and the difference it makes in people’s lives. Thank you for being a part of our mission 💛
Reflecting upon our 15th annual visit to Chiapas, the team served 367 patients in communities such as Vicente, Coapilla, and San Cristobal! We are met with joy, patience, trust, and gratitude by communities who walk miles to be seen. And although on
Reflecting upon our 15th annual visit to Chiapas, the team served 367 patients in communities such as Vicente, Coapilla, and San Cristobal! We are met with joy, patience, trust, and gratitude by communities who walk miles to be seen. And although on paper we arrive to provide care, we leave having received far more than we could give. Year after year, we are reminded that service is not about statistics, but working for love.
Visit our webpage to read the team’s reflections from their time serving in Mexico! Thoughtful and beautifully written, each piece captures the spirit of traveling with MDP and finding purpose in service to others. https://www.mndoctors.org/n
Visit our webpage to read the team’s reflections from their time serving in Mexico! Thoughtful and beautifully written, each piece captures the spirit of traveling with MDP and finding purpose in service to others. https://www.mndoctors.org/news Photo taken by Adrian Brown on Green Lake in Coapilla, Mexico
Led by Rich Peller and Lia Price, the MDP team is getting settled in at Chiapas, Mexico! So far we have served 112 patients in only two days!! From shared meals and open homes to gentle compassion and music echoing through the convent - our trip has
Led by Rich Peller and Lia Price, the MDP team is getting settled in at Chiapas, Mexico! So far we have served 112 patients in only two days!! From shared meals and open homes to gentle compassion and music echoing through the convent - our trip has been filled with small, beautiful moments that make this mission so meaningful. We are grateful for the people, the community, and the reminder of why we serve. To read more from pharmacy assistant, Max Brown, click on the link below: https://www.mndoctors.org/news/glimpses-from-a-new-traveler
We’re excited to announce our upcoming journey to Chiapas, Mexico in February. Take part in our life-changing medical medical trip to southern Mexico. Apply today: mndoctors.org/journeys
We’re excited to announce our upcoming journey to Chiapas, Mexico in February. Take part in our life-changing medical medical trip to southern Mexico. Apply today: mndoctors.org/journeys
Is Lake Atitlán calling you? If so, be sure to stay posted on the latest on our upcoming trips to Guatemala at https://www.mndoctors.org/journeys. What is your favorite part about our Guatemala trips?
Is Lake Atitlán calling you? If so, be sure to stay posted on the latest on our upcoming trips to Guatemala at https://www.mndoctors.org/journeys. What is your favorite part about our Guatemala trips?
The numbers are in! In February our volunteers saw over 400 patients in Chiapas, bringing the program total up to 7,609 since 2010. We were blessed to have so many eager professionals willing to give their time and talents to our first trip back to t
The numbers are in! In February our volunteers saw over 400 patients in Chiapas, bringing the program total up to 7,609 since 2010. We were blessed to have so many eager professionals willing to give their time and talents to our first trip back to the mountainous region of Mexico since the pandemic. Stay tuned for updates from our recent trip to Guatemala!
One of our teams of volunteers is actively serving in Chiapas, Mexico, and Nancy, a volunteer, was moved by one of the sunsets there. Read Nancy’s full reflection and more from the Chiapas journey at the link in our bio. “Sunsets and refl
One of our teams of volunteers is actively serving in Chiapas, Mexico, and Nancy, a volunteer, was moved by one of the sunsets there. Read Nancy’s full reflection and more from the Chiapas journey at the link in our bio. “Sunsets and reflections… As the sunsets on our final day of clinic, one can’t help but have a flood of different emotions, thoughts and feelings. The sunset brings a last ray of beauty to the end our day in clinic. Sunsets remind us of the beauty of the people here, their hospitality, their smiles, and gratitude. Sunsets are a sign of the end of a day. Some fatigue of working as hard as we can to meet the needs of our patients and the community, but regeneration as we visit, laugh and enjoy the camaraderie of our team and driver Vicente on the ride back to our hotel. Sunsets are Gods beautiful watercolor paintings that brings calm to the end our day….”
In Guatemala and across Central America, many rural communities still face major barriers to healthcare access - including long travel distances, limited specialists, and shortages of medical resources. MDP remains committed to supporting underserv
There’s something powerful about seeing this story come full circle. This video by Casey Ek capture the heart of Minnesota Doctors for People - a mission rooted in compassion, built on relationships, and sustained by a commitment to show up y
Happy Easter from MDP!⛪️🌿 This season reminds us that even in the most challenging of moments, hope can rise. We are continually inspired by the strength and resilience of the communities we serve and grateful to stand alongside them. This Easter Reflecting upon our 15th annual visit to Chiapas, the team served 367 patients in communities such as Vicente, Coapilla, and San Cristobal! We are met with joy, patience, trust, and gratitude by communities who walk miles to be seen. And although on Visit our webpage to read the team’s reflections from their time serving in Mexico! Thoughtful and beautifully written, each piece captures the spirit of traveling with MDP and finding purpose in service to others. https://www.mndoctors.org/n Led by Rich Peller and Lia Price, the MDP team is getting settled in at Chiapas, Mexico! So far we have served 112 patients in only two days!! From shared meals and open homes to gentle compassion and music echoing through the convent - our trip has We’re excited to announce our upcoming journey to Chiapas, Mexico in February. Take part in our life-changing medical medical trip to southern Mexico. Apply today: mndoctors.org/journeys Is Lake Atitlán calling you? If so, be sure to stay posted on the latest on our upcoming trips to Guatemala at https://www.mndoctors.org/journeys. What is your favorite part about our Guatemala trips? The numbers are in! In February our volunteers saw over 400 patients in Chiapas, bringing the program total up to 7,609 since 2010. We were blessed to have so many eager professionals willing to give their time and talents to our first trip back to t One of our teams of volunteers is actively serving in Chiapas, Mexico, and Nancy, a volunteer, was moved by one of the sunsets there. Read Nancy’s full reflection and more from the Chiapas journey at the link in our bio. “Sunsets and refl

Frequently Asked Questions

  • We offer a range of solutions designed to meet your needs—whether you're just getting started or scaling something bigger. Everything is tailored to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

  • Getting started is simple. Reach out through our contact form or schedule a call—we’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.

  • We combine a thoughtful, human-centered approach with clear communication and reliable results. It’s not just what we do—it’s how we do it that sets us apart.

  • You can reach us anytime via our contact page or email. We aim to respond quickly—usually within one business day.

  • We offer flexible pricing based on project type and complexity. After an initial conversation, we’ll provide a transparent quote with no hidden costs.

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime with the contact form below - we will get back to you in a timely manner.

No questions and ready to apply?

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Contact the Team

If you have any questions that we can help answer, please don’t hesitate to reach out using the contact form.

A member of the MDP team will reach out to you via email in a timely manner.