Reflections from Botswana: Rediscovering the Human Side of Medicine

---

Written by: Monika Mikolajczak, MD

PGY4 Neurology Resident, Nuvance Health

GH Site: University of Botswana

Dates: March 9 - April 1, 2026

Post-elective Reflection

It has been one month since my time in Botswana, and I still find myself thinking about it every day. More than anything, I keep returning to the people I met. Those relationships left a lasting impression on me, and I feel incredibly grateful to still be in touch with one of the students, as well as several members of the staff. Even something as simple as the weather crosses my mind often.

Tomorrow, the next group of residents will be leaving for Botswana. I had the opportunity to sit down with them and share my experiences, and I found myself genuinely excited for what lies ahead for them. Talking through my time there brought back so many memories. I wish I could return alongside them, not just for the experience itself, but for how it made me feel, both personally and professionally.

Since returning to the United States, I have found myself reflecting more critically on my role in medicine. At times, practicing here can feel overwhelming and even disheartening. We often rely on extensive workups, advanced imaging, and multiple medications in our efforts to provide the best possible care. Yet despite this, there are moments when patients seem dissatisfied and more focused on shortcomings than on the care itself.

In contrast, my experience in Botswana was very different. Despite significant limitations in resources, there was a deep sense of appreciation from patients and their families. Care felt more personal, more human. In the end, medicine is not defined by how much we can offer technologically, but by how we communicate and show up for our patients. While I cannot recreate the environment I experienced there, I can carry forward the perspective Botswana gave me.