From high school to high-altitude healthcare: A Park City teen’s Peruvian adventure

Cooper Ford (second from the left) in Peru with his crew. Photo: GLA

PERU — As Park City High School seniors return for their first full week of classes, Cooper Ford has a unique story to share about his summer break.

Ford, a Park City native and second-generation student in the Park City School District, spent part of his summer providing medical assistance in remote Peruvian villages.

The nonprofit organization Medlife, which Ford worked with, operates permanent clinics in large to mid-sized villages in Peru. However, as Ford explained to TownLift, these clinics are often inaccessible to those living in remote mountain areas.

“Without Medlife sending physicians and dentists to the remote villages that we went to, it would have been really hard for them to get medical care,” Ford said.

The team treated patients of all ages, from toddlers to the elderly, many facing financial hardships. Ford noted that vitamin deficiencies and dental issues were prevalent.

“The vitamin deficiencies exist because their diets consist mostly of corn and potatoes. They either can’t afford a variety of foods or can’t grow them due to the altitude,” he said.

Despite his French language skills from Dual Immersion classes, Ford’s limited Spanish added to the challenge of his first South American trip. The group stayed in hostel-like accommodations, experiencing temperature extremes as they worked at altitudes up to 12,000 feet.

While in Cusco, their base, the team had reliable cell service. However, communication was limited during their work in the villages. On a day off, they visited Machu Picchu and the Maras Salt Mines.

Ford was the sole participant from Utah, initially apprehensive about the experience. “Once we started working, it felt really good to know that we were able to make a difference, even if it was just for a short time,” he said.

The trip provided real-world lessons beyond medicine. Ford observed how local healthcare policies affect communities, noting, “Hospitals are often hard to get into or overcrowded, so the burden falls on private nonprofits like Medlife.”

He recalled a humorous moment working with a Spanish and Quechua-speaking pharmacist, “The pharmacist we were with only spoke Spanish and Quechua and spoke so incredibly fast. My Spanish isn’t great to begin with and my Quechua is nonexistent – when it was my turn to write down the orders, I was so panicked I was going to write down the wrong medicine… The word for steroid and the word for antibiotic are super close.”

One particularly touching memory was when villagers made potatoes as a thank-you gift.

Reflecting on his experience, Ford said, “I have always known how blessed I am, but spending two weeks in remote Peruvian villages covered in spit and blood helping doctors and dentists provide basic care, really drove that point home. I hope this is just the first of many experiences like this for me and that I can find more ways to give back.”

The trip has inspired Ford to pursue more medical internships. “My goal after college and med school is to be a part of an organization like Medlife or Doctors Without Borders,” he said.

With Global Leadership Adventures offering programs on every continent, Ford’s aspirations seem well within reach.