CRMC Podiatrist Finds Joy in Kenya Mission Work

From Brainerd to Minneapolis, to Amsterdam, to Africa. With four flights and a nine-hour time difference, Cuyuna Regional Medical Center Podiatrist Stephen Schmid, DPM, FACFAS,’s travels were far from over. The final leg of his journey to a small agriculturally based village 7 hours north of Nairobi, Kenya, was via a small shuttle leading to 8,500 feet in elevation.

For the third year in a row, Dr. Schmid made the trek to Molo, Kenya, to use his skills to help people who don’t have access to an elaborate healthcare system through Molo Medical and Dental Mission. He learned about the annual mission trip from his aunt and two cousins, who have also volunteered their time with the organization. His cousin returned with him this year, making it a true family affair. Aside from Dr. Schmid, others with designated specialists along on the trip are Brainerd Lakes area, Fergus Falls or St. Cloud medical providers, including surgeons and dentists.

“Typically, we do about four to five days of medical camp at Moto Hope Mission. People will typically line up outside the gate the night before to ensure they can be seen the next morning. We’ll start triaging them right away at 8 a.m. I’ll see consults in the morning and will perform minor procedures as I go; if they need surgery, they’re told not to eat or drink anything and to come back that afternoon.”

This year, he saw 69 consults and performed 19 minor procedures and 20 surgeries. From young to old, his cases are unique, including those of a 4-year-old who had 14 toes and 12 fingers. Dr. Schmid removed a small pinky finger on both hands and 2 toes from each foot.

“What I do there is a little different than what I do here. I don’t have access to x-rays during surgery, so I’m not able to do big deformity corrections like I would here in the states. Instead, it’s more hammer toe, bunions, removing extra fingers or toes, or soft tissue masses.”

There are 0.2 physicians for every 1,000 people in Kenya, and there are 2 surgical specialists for every 100,000 people.

“They have a national healthcare system with one plan. People will pay for their annual insurance over the span of 6 months, which is around $20, at which point all procedures for the year are covered. That seems like a minimal fee, but many people in these remote villages can’t afford that, nor do they have access. I had one woman who wanted her 19-year-old daughter’s club foot fixed but couldn’t afford the $20. We were able to get them the finances they needed to get the surgery, but we’re not able to do that for everyone.”

These surgeries are life-changing for many, finally allowing them to trade in dusty bare feet that don’t fit in shoes, to wearing shoes. For Dr. Schmid, it’s an opportunity to help others and fill his own bucket.

“The people are just so thankful, and starting the journey, I struggled a little bit with not being able to help everyone who came in. I have all the necessary skills and training that if these patients were in the United States, I could help everyone. In Molo, I realized I can’t help everyone, and sometimes they are happy just to be seen and have those answers, even if I can’t perform surgery.”

Spreading joy happens well beyond the walls of the Mission. “We’ll go for walks in the neighborhoods, and kids will find us. They will just start following us. I now take extra toothbrushes, crayons, stickers, and fun things to hand out in my pockets. On the last day, we try to play soccer with school kids. It’s an elevation of 8,500 feet, so I’ve learned to enjoy playing defense,” laughed Schmid.

A fundraiser is held yearly at Camp Foley on the Whitefish Chain. A date hasn’t been confirmed for 2025, but donations are always being accepted to assist the Mission in its work. You can learn more at https://www.molomedicalmissions.org

Board Certified Foot and Ankle Surgeon Stephen C. Schmid, DPM, FACFAS, joined the medical staff at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in July 2024. To schedule a consultation, call 218.545.4475.