ECRI Volunteers Deliver Critical Care in Panama
A team of ECRI volunteers traveled to Bocas del Toro, Panama in May to support Floating Doctors, a nonprofit that delivers medical, dental, and veterinary care to underserved populations in remote island and jungle communities. The experience offered powerful lessons in adaptability, teamwork, and healthcare equity—and gave staff another avenue to directly live out ECRI’s mission.
Floating Doctors’ mobile clinics reach some of the most isolated patients in Central America, often accessible only by boat, horseback, or foot. For many patients, these clinics are their only contact with a healthcare provider. ECRI’s volunteer group included staff from clinical, engineering, and operational backgrounds who all played a hands-on role during their week in Panama.
Bringing Care Where It’s Needed Most
The team—Timothy Browne, Ismael Cordero, Ernesto Diaz, John Heinlein, and Theresa Maas—helped set up the clinics in different locations each day, transporting medical supplies, water, and equipment. Once onsite, they supported clinic operations in a variety of ways, from triaging patients and translating to assisting with ultrasound exams and distributing medications.
“As a nurse, I’ve always wanted to be part of something like Floating Doctors,” said Theresa Maas, MSN, RN, CVAHP, Healthcare Value Analysis Strategic Business Leader. “I especially loved interacting with the children, their curiosity and energy made every day special.”
For Ismael Cordero, Senior Project Engineer of Health Devices, the trip was an opportunity to use his technical skills. “I was able to repair medical equipment damaged by saltwater that had sat unusable for months,” he said. “It was rewarding to be able to fix something that made an immediate difference.”
“This experience reminds us that healthcare is not one-size-fits-all,” said Timothy Browne, ECRI Vice President of Global Supply Chain. “Even in places with limited electricity or running water, people have a right to be seen, heard, and cared for. We were honored to help in any way we could.”
A Transformative Experience
The volunteers value the connections they made during the trip, and the fact that they had the chance to work alongside other volunteers and clinicians from around the world, including the Netherlands, Italy, and the U.K.
For Diaz, an ECRI Grant & Proposal Specialist who is Panamanian-American and served as a translator, the work was deeply personal. “Translating allowed me to connect with patients in their own language and briefly be a part of their community,” he says. “I was honored to be there for them and assist with communication during some emotionally charged, difficult medical situations.”
While the team encountered serious health issues among their patients and logistical challenges, one of their biggest takeaways was the dignity and strength of the individuals they were there to assist. “These families have almost nothing in terms of resources, but they are strong and resilient,” says Heinlein, National Solutions Sales Account Executive. “We didn’t come to fix them—we came to support them.”
“I’d do it again in a heartbeat,” said Browne. “The people we met, the lives we touched—it reminded me why we do what we do at ECRI.”
Update from the Field
ECRI’s involvement with Floating Doctors extends beyond just annual volunteer trips. Throughout the year, ECRI provides support to local villagers in the Bocas del Toro region. In one recent case, an infant developed a serious infection from an animal or insect bite. ECRI leaders helped coordinate the child’s hospital treatment in the closest available facility. In addition, ECRI President and CEO Dr. Marcus Schabacker serves on the board of Floating Doctors.
How to Get Involved
Partnering with Floating Doctors aligns with ECRI’s mission to advance evidence-based, high-quality healthcare for all, including those living in remote or under-resourced settings. ECRI’s May 2025 trip was the first of two planned for 2025. A team of volunteers will return in September. You can help from home: Floating Doctors accepts donations and supplies via an Amazon Wish List. For more information, visit the Floating Doctors website.