Spring break is typically fun, or relaxing, or just not long enough. Spring break isn’t typically inspiring, but mine was. I spent my break shadowing various arms of Great Circle, a collection of local social-work organizations devoted to educating and assisting children and families. After the first day, I was overwhelmed. By what? Partly by the new faces and names, partly by the extensive terminology of social work.

Thirty-one students and 11 professionals, including physicians and physical therapists, journeyed to a village in Honduras this January to assist locals with their health care and public health. The group, called the Washington University Medical Brigades, set up medical clinics in three villages. Each clinic was divided into several sections. The Medical Brigades first set [...]