Leading by Example: Dr. Peter Caron’s Mission of Healing in Guatemala
At New York Acupuncture Education (NYAE), we believe that learning doesn’t end in the classroom, it lives through experience, compassion, and service. This October, our very own Dr. Peter Caron, educator and Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, exemplified this philosophy through his participation in a humanitarian medical trip to Guatemala with the Global Healthworks Foundation.
A Living Lesson in Service
From October 19–24, 2025, Dr. Caron joined an international team of practitioners to provide free integrative care to underserved communities across Guatemala. In just five days, the team treated more than 600 patients, offering acupuncture, herbal medicine, and holistic care to individuals who often have little or no access to healthcare.
To make this possible, Global Healthworks Foundation (GHF) organized free microbus transportation for patients from distant villages, ensuring that even those in the most remote areas could receive quality treatment and compassionate care. For many, this was their first experience with acupuncture, and the impact was profound.
From early morning setups to long evenings of treatment, Dr. Caron worked alongside local promoters, translators, and health advocates, embodying what it means to be both a practitioner and a teacher in action.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
As a professor and mentor, Dr. Caron consistently reminds his students that mastery in Chinese medicine goes beyond technique, it’s about heart, presence, and purpose. His work in Guatemala reflects the values we strive to instill at NYAE:
Cultural humility and adaptability,
Commitment to lifelong learning, and
Dedication to serving communities in need.
Through missions like these, students and future practitioners can see firsthand how traditional medicine bridges cultures and brings healing to diverse populations.
Partnership in Global Healing
The trip was organized through the Global Healthworks Foundation — a nonprofit dedicated to sustainable, community-based healthcare initiatives. Their ongoing work in Guatemala allows practitioners like Dr. Caron to contribute not just through service, but through mentorship and collaboration with local health leaders.
This partnership aligns closely with NYAE’s mission: to advance integrative education that blends clinical skill, cultural understanding, and compassionate outreach.
Continuing the Journey
Dr. Caron and his team plan to return to Guatemala for a mobile clinic in December, followed by another full-scale clinic in March 2026, continuing to provide essential care and hands-on learning opportunities for practitioners worldwide.
To see more from the trip, visit Gotham Acupuncture or follow @gothamacupuncture on Instagram for daily updates shared during the mission.
Stay Connected
At NYAE, we celebrate educators who lead through action, showing that every treatment, every interaction, and every act of service is a form of teaching.
Stay connected with us for more stories of our professors and alumni making a global difference in the world of Chinese Medicine.
Join our newsletter to be part of a community where education and compassion meet in practice.
