Catholic nursing students live faith on hospital ship in Madagascar
Summary
Three nursing students from Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina spent two weeks aboard a Mercy Ships hospital ship in Madagascar as part of an internship. Mercy Ships delivers free surgical care in areas with very limited medical access. The students describe being transformed by the experience through serving patients in a “medical desert,” working alongside volunteers, and living out their faith through acts of compassion, service, and community.
Relevance
This story shows how Catholic healthcare education can extend beyond traditional hospitals into mission-driven settings, emphasizing formation of future health workers in both skill and spiritual purpose. It highlights how service, faith, and care for vulnerable populations are intertwined in Catholic healthcare’s global outreach.