1-844-633-5433

Meet the Staff: Janet Ludeña

staff-pic-janet-ludena-2014-1Here at MEDLIFE we are proud to introduce Janet Ludeña, who has recently joined our staff as a full-time field nurse after volunteering with us for a year! Read more about Janet’s story below:

Where are you from?

I was born in Ayacucho, in the Andes of Peru, but a few days after my birth my family moved to Lima. Since then, I’ve grown up in the capital.

How did you get involved with MEDLIFE?

I saw a group of foreign students doing a tour in La Rinconada, Pamplona, where I live. There, I met Carlos Benavides, and he told me about MEDLIFE and the work that they do. After I told him that I am a nurse, he asked me to send him my resume. A few days later, I came on board as a nurse during some Mobile Clinics in Villa el Salvador. I continued to work with MEDLIFE on various projects and was also the support for a focus group that was put on by a foreign medical student. It was very interesting for me, as the project covered the preventative benefits of getting an annual Pap test.

A few months later, MEDLIFE promoted me to Community Coordinator, in which I, along with six other people, work to find new communities for Mobile Clinic, and as of last week, I am now one of the full-time field nurses on MEDLIFE’s staff.

What is it that you like most about working with MEDLIFE?

From the beginning I have always liked the educational workshops that MEDLIFE hosts in the different communities around Lima. I can see at those workshops that community members are genuinely intrigued on ways to improve their health by preventative measures.

Can you name a particular patient that has had a strong impact on you?

I don’t have any patients of my own yet because I just began this position a week ago, but with Ruth I met the young Jose Luis Solizor. He’s impacted me because he is someone who has always had his family’s best interest in mind and because of that, he is a very hard worker. Unfortunately, he suffered a harsh accident and since then is unable to walk. Despite is condition, he is very passionate about moving forward and improving his health, and now he is working with MEDLIFE so that he can receive the proper treatment for the road to recovery.

What do you do in your free time?

I love to watch TV and read. I don’t have a particular show or book, but I love all adventure stories and self-help reads. 

Archives

Hear it From MEDLIFErs

Testimonial Quote

Reya Seby
Western University

This trip motivated me more to pursue a career in the healthcare field so that I can use my resources to help those who need it the most, similar to MEDLIFE’s mission.

Testimonial Quote

Victoria DiCanio
University of Connecticut

It was most enjoyable to finish the hard work and see how big a difference a group of individuals can make. It was such an amazing experience.

Testimonial Quote

Anita Woo
University of Toronto

I enjoyed the mobile clinics the most, especially the dental and triage portions. I would definitely recommend a MEDLIFE trip, it was a great experience.

Testimonial Quote

David Saff
Maclay High School

The most enjoyable part of my trip was hanging out with the amazing group of kids I was with. I would highly recommend a MEDLIFE volunteer trip to others.

Testimonial Quote

Sydney Sansone
Nova Southeastern University

This trip made everything that I was learning in my public health courses come to life and immersed me in a new culture while also learning about medicine.

Testimonial Quote

Abygail Youmans
College of Charleston

Being involved with MEDLIFE is not like joining another club - its bigger than that. It is about joining a movement that seeks to help change people’s quality of life for forever.

Testimonial Quote

Emi Hofmann
University of Central Florida

Not only was I able to participate in a week long Mobile Clinic, shadowing doctors of all types of specialties including pharmacy, dentistry, gynecology, and more, but I was also able to learn about the culture and visit incredible places.

Testimonial Quote

Julian Takagi-Stewart
University of Toronto

One thing that I really loved about this trip was that MEDLIFE made sure that the volunteers got an understanding of the complexity of issues that lead to underprivileged people in communities outside of the main city

Testimonial Quote

Hannah Van Hofwegen
University of Ottawa

Whether it was basketball with the local kids, assisting the doctors, talking with families, building washrooms, holding babies, or spending time with the people who were on the SLT with me, this was an amazing opportunity that I would do over and over again.

Testimonial Quote

Isabelle Holt
Cornell University

I loved learning about the patients MEDLIFE has followed and how they offer real help to people with chronic/urgent conditions. It is amazing how the organization formed real connections with the communities.

Testimonial Quote

Valerie Lindeborg
Parent

Our family had the privilege of participating in multiple trips with Nick [founder] and his amazing staff. Their expertise made the trips unforgettable while instilling in my boys the fundamentals of good character: selflessness, compassion, and empathy.

Testimonial Quote

Harry Vildibill
University of Georgia

As an aspiring physician, MEDLIFE motivated me to further continue my goal of becoming a doctor. In fact, I enjoyed the Tanzania Service Learning Trip so much that I decided to go on another trip to Cusco, Peru.