Perla DeJesus Meza

South Carolina

Passionate About:

Hello everyone! I’m someone who thrives on building meaningful connections and is always eager to learn from the vast knowledge the world has to offer. I’m deeply passionate about my education, career goals, family, and giving back to those in need. While these may sound like common values, they are truly what drive me.

One cause that’s particularly close to my heart is helping communities that lack access to healthcare, whether due to financial constraints or geographic barriers. This mission feels personal, and I’m committed to doing whatever I can to make a difference in this area. I’ve seen firsthand the barriers people face when they can’t afford or access the care they need, and this experience has only strengthened my resolve to pursue this path.

Although I’m not yet fluent in Spanish, I do what I can to bridge communication gaps by translating for those who are not proficient in English. This may seem like a small gesture, but it’s a crucial one—many people don’t seek out the resources or help they’re entitled to simply because they don’t speak the language. I believe that education, in all its forms, is key to empowering people to access the care and support they need, whether that’s healthcare or other services.

Looking ahead, I am focused on pursuing a career that allows me to advocate for underserved communities, whether through healthcare policy, community outreach, or direct service. My goal is not just to provide care, but to ensure people are equipped with the knowledge they need to navigate the systems in place that can change their lives. Through education, empathy, and action, I believe we can create a world where everyone has the chance to thrive.

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Initiatives


About Us

VAW Global Health Alliances (VAW Global) is a global health and development organization committed to cultivating sustainable and equitable partnerships with local communities and professionals through support and capacity-building for essential and accessible health services. Our focus is to work hand-in-hand with local initiatives and leaders to provide communities with improved access to medical, dental, and veterinary treatment, medication, nutritional security, clean water, and health education.

VAW Global Health Alliances develops community health systems while providing interns the opportunity to work alongside experienced local healthcare professionals. VAW Global Outreach trips provide interns with an opportunity to work first hand with experienced local professionals in the fields of medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and sustainable development.



Upcoming Initiatives

UC Davis Medical Internship to Panama, July 2025

Join the UC Davis chapter as they lead a Medical Outreach Internship to Panama this upcoming summer! Interns will work in mobile medical clinics, where they will have the opportunity to intake patients, conduct public health surveys, take vitals, shadow local physicians, work in the pharmacy, teach education classes, and much more! If you’re interested in joining, contact us for more information! VAW Global at UC Davis will be opening up mobile medical clinics for local communities during their time in Panama. One of the most exciting and important parts of interning with VAW Global is bringing medication to the less fortunate. In 2023, VAW Global treated over 17,500 patients and we aspire to treat over 20,000 in 2025! One of the things that make our mobile clinics unique is that we not only triage and diagnose patients, but also provide them with the basic medications needed. Fundraising for medications is a huge part of creating a successful mobile clinic to help the local communities with effective care. **Note: airfare is not included

Texas A&M University Medical Team B Internship to Dominican Republic, July 2025

Join the Texas A&M University Team B chapter as they lead a Medical Outreach Internship in Dominican Republic this upcoming Summer 2025! interns will work in mobile medical clinics, where they will have the opportunity to intake patients, conduct public health surveys, take vitals, shadow local physicians, work in the pharmacy, teach education classes, and much more! If you’re interested in joining, contact us for more information! VAW Global at Texas A&M University Team B will be opening up mobile medical clinics for local communities during their time in Dominican Republic. One of the most exciting and important parts of interning with VAW Global is bringing medication to the less fortunate. In 2023, VAW Global treated over 17,500 patients and we aspire to treat over 20,000 in 2024! One of the things that makes our mobile clinics unique is that we not only triage and diagnose patients but also provide them with the basic medications needed. Fundraising for medications is a huge part of creating a successful mobile clinic to help the local communities with effective care. **Note: Airfare is not included

University of Georgia Team C Medical Internship to Vietnam, July 2025

Join the University of Georgia chapter as they lead a Medical Outreach Internship to Vietnam this upcoming Summer! interns will work in mobile medical clinics, where they will have the opportunity to intake patients, conduct public health surveys, take vitals, shadow local physicians, work in the pharmacy, teach education classes, and much more! If you’re interested in joining, contact us for more information! VAW Global at University of Georgia will be opening up mobile medical clinics for local communities during their time in Vietnam. One of the most exciting and important parts of interning with VAW Global is bringing medication to the less fortunate. In 2023, VAW Global treated over 17,500 patients and we aspire to treat over 20,000 in 2024! One of the things that make our mobile clinics unique is that we not only triage and diagnose patients, but also provide them with the basic medications needed. Fundraising for medications is a huge part of creating a successful mobile clinic to help the local communities with effective care. **Note: airfare is not included

UFlorida Medical Internship to Mexico, July 2025

Join the U Florida University chapter as they lead a Medical Outreach Internship to Mexico this upcoming Summer! interns will work in mobile medical clinics, where they will have the opportunity to intake patients, conduct public health surveys, take vitals, shadow local physicians, work in the pharmacy, teach education classes, and much more! If you’re interested in joining, contact us for more information! VAW Global at U Florida University will be opening up mobile medical clinics for local communities during their time in Mexico. One of the most exciting and important parts of interning with VAW Global is bringing medication to the less fortunate. In 2023, VAW Global treated over 17,500 patients and we aspire to treat over 20,000 in 2024! One of the things that make our mobile clinics unique is that we not only triage and diagnose patients, but also provide them with the basic medications needed. Fundraising for medications is a huge part of creating a successful mobile clinic to help the local communities with effective care. **Note: airfare is not included

Ohio State University Medical Internship to Guatemala, July 2025

Join the Ohio State University chapter as they lead a Medical Outreach Internship to Guatemala this upcoming Summer! interns will work in mobile medical clinics, where they will have the opportunity to intake patients, conduct public health surveys, take vitals, shadow local physicians, work in the pharmacy, teach education classes, and much more! If you’re interested in joining, contact us for more information! VAW Global at Ohio State University will be opening up mobile medical clinics for local communities during their time in Guatemala. One of the most exciting and important parts of interning with VAW Global is bringing medication to the less fortunate. In 2023, VAW Global treated over 17,500 patients and we aspire to treat over 20,000 in 2024! One of the things that make our mobile clinics unique is that we not only triage and diagnose patients, but also provide them with the basic medications needed. Fundraising for medications is a huge part of creating a successful mobile clinic to help the local communities with effective care. **Note: airfare is not included

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Veterinary Internship to Peru, July 2025

Join the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign chapter as they lead a Veterinary Outreach Internship to Peru this upcoming Summer! Interns will work in mobile clinics, where they will have the opportunity to take patient history, and basic vital signs, shadow veterinarians, learn about the importance of different animals in locals' lives, and much more! If you’re interested in joining, contact us for more information! VAW Global at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will be opening up mobile veterinary clinics for local communities as well as assisting at local animal care facilities during their time in Peru. One of the most exciting and important parts of interning with VAW Global is bringing medication to the less fortunate. In 2023, VAW Global treated over 17,500 patients, and we aspire to treat over 20,000 in 2024! One of the things that makes our mobile clinics unique is that we not only triage and diagnose patients but also provide them with the basic medications needed. Fundraising for medications is a huge part of creating a successful mobile clinic to help the local communities with effective care. **Note: Airfare is NOT included

Clemson University Veterinary Internship to Peru, July 2025

Join the CLEMSON UNIVERSITY chapter as they lead a Veterinary Outreach Internship to PERU this upcoming SUMMER! Interns will work in mobile clinics, where they will have the opportunity to take patient history, basic vital signs, shadow veterinarians, learn about the importance of different animals in locals lives and much more! If you’re interested in joining, contact us for more information! VAW Global at CLEMSON UNIVERSITY will be opening up mobile veterinary clinics for local communities as well as assisting at local animal care facilities during their time in PERU. One of the most exciting and important parts of interning with VAW Global is bringing medication to the less fortunate. In 2023, VAW Global treated over 17,500 patients and we aspire to treat over 20,000 in 2024! One of the things that make our mobile clinics unique is that we not only triage and diagnose patients, but also provide them with the basic medications needed. Fundraising for medications is a huge part of creating a successful mobile clinic to help the local communities with effective care. **Note: airfare is NOT included

University of Texas at San Antonio Medical Internship to the Dominican Republic, July 2025

Join the University of Texas at San Antonio chapter as they lead a Medical Outreach Internship to the Dominican Republic this upcoming Summer! interns will work in mobile medical clinics, where they will have the opportunity to intake patients, conduct public health surveys, take vitals, shadow local physicians, work in the pharmacy, teach education classes, and much more! If you’re interested in joining, contact us for more information! VAW Global at the University of Texas at San Antonio will be opening up mobile medical clinics for local communities during their time in the Dominican Republic. One of the most exciting and important parts of interning with VAW Global is bringing medication to the less fortunate. In 2023, VAW Global treated over 17,500 patients and we aspire to treat over 20,000 in 2024! One of the things that make our mobile clinics unique is that we not only triage and diagnose patients but also provide them with the basic medications needed. Fundraising for medications is a huge part of creating a successful mobile clinic to help the local communities with effective care. **Note: Airfare is not included

GSU Medical Internship to the Dominican Republic, July 2025

Join the GSU chapter as they lead a Medical Outreach Internship to the Dominican Republic this upcoming summer! interns will work in mobile medical clinics, where they will have the opportunity to intake patients, conduct public health surveys, take vitals, shadow local physicians, work in the pharmacy, teach education classes, and much more! If you’re interested in joining, contact us for more information! VAW Global at GSU will be opening up mobile medical clinics for local communities during their time in the Dominican Republic. One of the most exciting and important parts of interning with VAW Global is bringing medication to the less fortunate. In 2023, VAW Global treated over 17,500 patients and we aspire to treat over 20,000 in 2024! One of the things that make our mobile clinics unique is that we not only triage and diagnose patients, but also provide them with the basic medications needed. Fundraising for medications is a huge part of creating a successful mobile clinic to help the local communities with effective care. **Note: airfare is not included

UTSA Dental Team B Internship to Dominican Republic, July 2025

Join UTSA Team B on their Dental Outreach Internship to the Dominican Republic this Summer! interns will have the opportunity to learn about various dental procedures, such as cleanings, restorations, fillings, and extractions, learn about the current healthcare system in the Dominican Republic and teach a public health class and much more! If you’re interested in joining, contact us for more information! VAW Global at UTSA Team B will be opening up mobile dental clinics for local communities during their time in the Dominican Republic. One of the most exciting and important parts of interning with VAW Global is bringing full dental clinics and primary care medical clinics to the less fortunate. In 2023, VAW Global treated over 17,500 patients and we aspire to treat over 20,000 in 2024! One of the things that make our dental mobile clinics unique is that we are able to perform multiple procedures including fillings, restorations, cleanings and extractions at the mobile clinic. Fundraising for supplies and medications is a huge part of creating a successful mobile clinic to help the local communities with effective care. **Note: airfare is NOT included