Health Horizons International was founded in January 2009, after five years of experience with week-long medical service trips in the Puerto Plata province of the Dominican Republic. Working in impoverished communities facing numerous health, socioeconomic, and structural challenges, they realized that trips could not offer a complete solution to the inequities and inequalities their patients endured. HHI was founded to find a way for medical service trips to sustainably improve health in partnership with the communities themselves. In October 2009, HHI began its work by establishing a local presence in the Dominican Republic. HHI’s first two International Programs Directors moved to the Puerto Plata province to begin building the organization from the ground up. HHI has since grown to become a dedicated group of doctors, allied health professionals, public health professionals, and students working towards improving global health.

Mission

Their mission is to improve community health in the Dominican Republic. Through building local capacity for public health and strengthening the primary health care system, they work to promote well-being and access to quality health care.

Vision

One day, all communities will have the power to promote health and well-being, and to access quality health care as a basic human right. Their vision is for all people to have the opportunities of a healthy life, and to overcome the inequalities in health that disproportionately affect people facing poverty.