In July, Dr. Ralph Berkeley, Dr. Elvia Canseco, and technician Melba Garcia traveled to Samachique, Chihuahua, in the Sierra Tarahumara in Northern Mexico on a mission trip aimed at providing eye care to those in need.

“Dr. Berkeley has always been involved in projects that give back to the community and had previously gone to Mexico with his team on multiple occasions to perform cataract in underserved areas,” Dr. Canseco said. “I love missionary work! When he told me about his idea to go to Chihuahua and help the Tarahumara tribes, I was thrilled and immediately signed up.”

After arriving in the city of Chihuahua, the group embarked on a 6 hour drive to Samachique through the Sierra Tarahumara. Once they arrived in Samachique, they got to work at a mission hospital there, performing about 20 cataract surgeries and 2 pterygium surgeries.

They also saw about 30 patients a day in the clinic during the trip. The visits and perioperative care were coordinated by Dr. Berkeley’s son, Michael.

“Part of what I most enjoy about medicine is having the opportunity to help those who are most in need,” Dr. Canseco said.

Berkeley Eye Center is proud of our amazing doctors and staff who continually strive to go above and beyond to meet the needs of all our patients, whether in one of our Houston eye care clinics or on mission trips around the world.