AdventHealth and Heather Elizondo, M.D.
AdventHealth and Heather Elizondo, M.D.
AdventHealth Global Missions has marked 2026 as one of its most ambitious years of service in the company’s history. With a record number of mission trips planned and hundreds of team members preparing to serve around the world, the year ahead reflects a growing commitment to community-focused and faith-driven care far beyond AdventHealth’s walls.
In total, 42 mission trips are planned for 2026 including countries such as Peru, Nepal, Ecuador, and many others, making this the largest group of global mission opportunities AdventHealth has ever planned. These trips are projected to engage more than 800 AdventHealth volunteers, with most teams consisting of 20 to 25 caregivers, clinicians, and support staff serving together in communities with limited access to care and resources.
The first mission trip of 2026 set the tone for what is ahead. For seven days in early February, physicians and physician residents from AdventHealth for Children departed from central Florida to serve at Servicio Social Adventista Good Hope in Villa María del Triunfo, Peru, delivering much-needed care to children and families.
The trip marked the official launch of the 2026 mission calendar, and offered an early glimpse into the impact these teams will continue to make throughout the year.
The AdventHealth team provided the manpower to enroll around 500 new patients at Servicio Social Adventista Good Hope to help get them started with their ongoing health journey. “The [patients] were very appreciative of the care provided and they were willing to open up about hard and very sensitive subject matters,” said Heather Elizondo, M.D., physician at AdventHealth for Children.
“The care and compassion offered to these families by the entire team and the ability to offer follow up with [the local hospital’s doctor] and her colleagues was invaluable.”
For many volunteers, the experience was meaningful both professionally and personally, reinforcing AdventHealth’s mission of “Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ” wherever needed.
“My favorite memories are of the patients who were so excited to see me the following day,” shared Karina Darby, D.O., a pediatric physician resident at AdventHealth Winter Garden. “When they came back to do their lab work or pick up a prescription, they would run over and give me a hug or wave to me and say, ‘Hola Doctora!’ It was so fulfilling to feel the immense gratitude those families had for the services we were able to help provide.”
As the year continues, mission teams will serve both familiar and new locations across the globe and within our national community. In addition to returning to places such as Lesotho, AdventHealth Global Missions is expanding its reach with trips planned to Brazil and Jamaica. The trips to Jamaica will continue the ongoing service efforts in the region following the devastating hurricane that hit the country late last year.
Building on a record-setting year, AdventHealth leadership is casting a bold vision for the future in challenging the Global Missions team and themselves, to invite 1,000 AdventHealth team members to participate in mission trips.
“Mission trips are a powerful way for AdventHealth to put our faith-based mission into action, fostering a spirit of service and compassion across the organization,” said David Ottati, president and CEO of AdventHealth’s West Florida Division and executive sponsor of Global Missions. “Participating in these efforts brings our values to life and deepens our collective commitment to whole-person care.”
As AdventHealth looks ahead at the rest of 2026, the focus on service anchored in faith is clear. Through record participation and expanding global reach, AdventHealth continues to live out its mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ to communities around the world.
AdventHealth team members interested in joining a mission trip can explore available opportunities at https://adventhealth.servicereef.com/events.
AdventHealth | June 2026
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