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Embarking on a medical mission is a bold step for any healthcare professional. For family medicine practitioner Dr. Elyas Parsa, this journey has become his passion, taking him to countries like Thailand and New Zealand. He’s not only had new experiences but also found the profound reward of serving communities in need of medical care. By embracing opportunities to practice medicine abroad, Dr. Parsa has discovered the unique challenges and fulfillment that come with making a global impact.
Embracing the present moment: Seizing opportunities to give back
Dr. Parsa’s medical journey began in Chicago, where he studied before relocating to California to practice medicine. In California, he played a pivotal role in the Family Medicine program, eventually becoming the Program Director at San Joaquin General Hospital. During his 12 years there, Dr. Parsa thrived on working with a diverse group of residency students and tackling the challenges presented by an underserved patient population.
Always contemplating the possibility of sharing his skills globally, Dr. Parsa seized the moment when an email about a medical mission opportunity in Thailand landed in his inbox. “I had this realization of how life is going by, and am I doing everything that I hoped for? Instead of saying, ‘Well, I’ll do it when I retire,’ or ‘I’ll do it 10 years from now,’ I decided to change the attitude and say, ‘Well, what is better than the present?’”
Providing critical patient care in Thailand
The work Dr. Parsa did in Thailand, he says, wasn’t all that different than what he was used to at home — the main difference being that the patients he saw in Thailand were often two to three hours removed from major cities where they could receive hospital care. He provided essential primary care services, addressing high blood pressure, diabetes, and musculoskeletal issues for individuals engaged in labor-intensive work like farming.
Reflecting on his experience, Dr. Parsa notes, “Working in a different system and culture was a great opportunity. Although I felt comfortable at San Joaquin General Hospital after 12 years, I realized that true growth comes from stepping out of one’s comfort zone.” Embracing the challenge of working in a completely different environment, Dr. Parsa found renewed purpose and fulfillment. “Thailand was just kind of an opening and a start. And so I hope to be able to get involved with this more frequently — as frequently as I can get away with it — while balancing life and family and kids and all the other joys.”
Hear how impactful going on the medical mission to Thailand was for Dr. Parsa:
Giving back with locum tenens
Dr. Parsa’s desire to serve abroad continued to flourish after his time in Thailand. He found locum tenens work to be an excellent way to combine his passion for travel and his commitment to patient care. His next destination was New Zealand, where the smaller, more rural population presented a different pace of medical practice. “Patients in New Zealand are generally healthier and more connected to their environment,” he explains. “The experience was less chaotic but came with its own unique surprises.”
Dr. Parsa says that he’ll continue to look out for opportunities to serve abroad, like other international locums assignments. “I certainly believe that global medicine and working with underserved patients will become part of what I want to do in the future. I’m certainly looking into taking other locums opportunities right at this moment,” he says. “If there’s disaster work that occurs anywhere in the globe, I’m ready to jump on a flight and come help out.”
Inspiring a lifelong commitment to service
Dr. Parsa’s dedication to helping underserved populations is deeply rooted in his belief in the importance of service and making a positive impact on people’s lives. He shares, “I have always believed that one of the most important things you can do with this life is to serve others. This is the true passion that continues to drive me professionally and personally, and I feel so fortunate that I can work and make a difference as a surgeon.”
In this podcast, Dr. Parsa shares insights from his unique career path, highlighting the challenges and rewards of working locums assignments, and how his experiences have fueled his growth both personally and professionally.
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Global Medical Staffing specializes in helping physicians have the adventure of a lifetime. Give us a call at 855.958.2241 to learn more, or view today’s locum tenens job opportunities.
Inspired to make a difference through a medical mission? The Making a Difference Foundation partners with world-class nonprofits to provide physicians the opportunity to participate in meaningful medical missions to make a difference around the globe.