Mathews native Virginia Jarvis recently returned from Peru, where she spent her spring break from medical school fulfilling a dream to make a difference in other people’s lives. She spent the week on a medical mission trip, where she gained hands-on experience in a variety of settings.

“I went on a medical mission trip to Peru to be a part of something bigger than myself,” Jarvis said. “Even before deciding to go to medical school, it has been my dream to go on a mission trip and help those who otherwise would not have the resources we provided. When I did decide to attend medical school, I specifically chose a school that would allow me to have this experience.”

A first-year student at West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, Jarvis said her trip to Peru exceeded her expectations. She was part of a clinic that was set up at a local hospital in Calca, Peru. She said there were people who walked for miles just to be seen by their physicians, medica...