James Powers Has Passion for Healthcare

Senior James Powers has used international experiences to combine his passion for healthcare with his knowledge of Spanish.

The pre-med student from Beverly, Massachusetts is majoring in Spanish and neuroscience, with a minor in chemistry. Since coming to Duke, he has studied and volunteered in several Spanish-speaking countries.

Powers first studied abroad in Madrid during the summer after his freshman year. During the fall of his junior year, Powers studied abroad in Peru. Throughout the semester, he explored everywhere from the Amazon to the Andes to Lima, and was able to appreciate both the ancient and modern aspects of the country.

“I did direct enrollment at a Peruvian university, so I got to take classes with

 Peruvian professors and students,” he said. “I had never been to South America before so it was a big culture shock learning how to get around the city.”

While in Peru, Powers worked with Operation Smile, a charity that provides free surgeries to repair cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities for children around the globe. Because of his Spanish proficiency, Powers served as a translator between the American and German medical staff and the local hospital staff and patients.

Although Powers said his Spanish classes at Duke helped prepare him for the experience, he noted that it would be beneficial if he could have taken a medically-oriented Spanish class before going to Lima.

Powers has had several other medical experiences in Spanish-speaking countries through his involvement with Duke Global Medical Brigades. By the start of his sophomore year, Powers had been on two mission trips to Panama.

During his junior year, Powers served as president of the club and planned a mission trip to Honduras. During each trip, student volunteers set up makeshift medical clinics in rural areas that don’t have access to hospitals. They recruit international and local doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dentists and other medical professionals to aid the communities.

“As a Spanish major, it was really cool to apply what I've been learning in an actual setting,” he said. “From a pre-med perspective, it was nice to see global health in action seeing doctors and nurses at work. And interacting with patients was an awesome experience.”

Besides his involvement with Duke Global Medical Brigades, Powers is the treasurer of the Neuroscience Majors Union and volunteers at the Durham VA Medical Center. He also tutors children through El Centro Hispano.

Powers is planning on attending medical school, but hopes to spend a year doing research or working abroad before applying.