Adventist University Community Service Program Helps Restore Hope for Vulnerable Residents

Health sciences students provide weekly medical, emotional, and spiritual support through the “Health at Home” initiative in Montemorelos, Mexico.

February 23, 2026 | Montemorelos, Nuevo León, Mexico | Laura Marrero and IAD News Staff

For years, depression and isolation defined the life of Ana María Correa, a 60-year-old woman who survived two heart attacks, the amputation of both legs, and a violent marriage that ended in a difficult divorce.

Today, her story reflects the impact of university community service in vulnerable settings. Through the “Salud en Casa” (Health at Home) program, students from the University of Montemorelos have played a key role in her gradual physical, emotional, and spiritual recovery.

For the past two years, groups of health sciences students have visited Correa weekly at her home in the Martínez Domínguez neighborhood. They provide food supplies, basic medical care, emotional support, and spiritual companionship.

“These young people helped me out of the pit of depression I was in,” Correa said. “We pray, we read the Bible, they help me around the house. Because of them, I’ve understood that I still have value.”

She said her physical and emotional health has improved significantly since joining the program.

Dr. Blas J. Cabrera, faculty member and supervisor of the community service group within the Faculty of Health Sciences at Montemorelos University, said experiences like these help future health professionals understand patients beyond clinical settings.

“Visiting a family gives students invaluable context,” Cabrera explained. “They share meals, listen to their stories, and learn to serve with humility and compassion.

He added that the initiative reflects a medical education model centered on empathy and direct community engagement.

The impact is also felt by the students.

Kevin Vázquez, a sixth-semester medical student, emphasized that psychological support has been crucial in Correa’s recovery. When visits first began, she was experiencing severe depression and isolation, including suicidal thoughts. Over time, consistent accompaniment from the team contributed to noticeable improvement.

“This has opened our eyes to needs much greater than our own,” Vázquez said. “It has taught us that we must care for people in a holistic way.

According to Dr. Roel Cea, Community Service coordinator at the Montemorelos University, “Salud en Casa” is part of the university’s broader outreach initiatives aimed at promoting health and social solidarity while integrating academic learning with direct community intervention.

Through programs like this, the university continues to make a meaningful impact on individuals facing vulnerable circumstances. Correa’s experience demonstrates how comprehensive care — medical, psychological, social, and spiritual — can significantly improve quality of life amid complex health challenges and loneliness

For Ana María Correa, the results are clear.

“I thank God for putting these young people in my path,” she said.

Lisandra Vicente and Brenda Cerón contributed to this article.