Skip to main content
WVU Home
Would you like to search this site specifically, or all WVU websites?

Katy Grimes

Honduras Katy

Fundraising Co-Chair 2024-present

Hi! My name is Katy Grimes. I’m from Huntington, West Virginia, and I am a senior Immunology and Medical Microbiology major at WVU.

I was first given the opportunity to participate in Global Medical and Dental Brigades when I was a sophomore; I went on the 2023 Panama Brigade, the 2024 Honduras Brigade, and I am participating in the 2025 Brigade as well. I have learned so much and had so much fun on the two Brigades that I have been on, and I can’t wait to see what we will accomplish in the upcoming year. This organization has provided me with invaluable education about diverse cultures and healthcare systems around the world, and getting the opportunity to observe doctors and other healthcare professionals in a new setting has solidified my decision to become a physician one day. Brigades has taught me that to lead is to serve, and by using the lessons that I have learned in Panama and Honduras, I hope that I will one day be able to serve my community through providing health care.

Both the perspectives I have gained about the world we live in, and the wonderful friendships I’ve made along the way, make me infinitely grateful that I was given the chance to embark on these Brigades. One of my favorite aspects about this organization is that it ensures that we work together with native community leaders and professionals in order to bolster the places we visit to thrive independently once we depart. Due to this holistic approach, we learn as much, if not more, from the native people than they do from us. Brigades is unique in that it not only allows us to observe physicians and perform triage assessments, but it teaches us language, and exposes us to diverse cultures and world relations. Traveling to such special places brings students closer together in a way that is unique to any other study abroad experience. I have made friends and memories in Brigades that will last a lifetime, and I encourage you to get out there and apply for this amazing, unforgettable experience