Bridging Borders: A BJC Medical Group Doctor’s Mission to Restore Women’s Health in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

With a deep passion for women’s health and a commitment to global outreach, Shannon Potter, MD, recently returned from a medical mission in Vanga, a remote village in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Her work there, which focused on fistula repair surgeries, is life-changing for women who have endured years of suffering.  

Dr. Potter’s journey in global medicine began in 2012 when she first traveled to the DRC as a medical resident. Since then, she has made it her mission to return once or twice a year, partnering with local surgeons and international organizations to provide specialized care for women suffering from obstetric fistulas and other urogynecological conditions. These conditions, often caused by prolonged labor without medical intervention, often leave women incontinent and socially ostracized.  

This year’s trip was made possible through funding from World Medical Mission, a branch of Samaritan’s Purse, along with the Fistula Foundation. The grants from these organizations cover surgical costs, transportation, and meals for the women undergoing treatment. Many of these patients arrive with nothing but the clothes on their backs, often malnourished and abandoned by their families due to the stigma associated with their conditions.  

“We see so many women who have been suffering for years,” Dr. Potter says. “Many of them don’t know that treatment is possible. When they find out we can help, it’s an emotional moment.”  

In just seven days, Dr. Potter and her team performed 52 surgeries, and 40 were fistula repairs. The remaining cases included prolapse corrections and other urological procedures. Working alongside a skilled Congolese urologist, the team was able to save a patient’s life using equipment they had brought with them.   

“One of our patients had been through so much, including multiple failed surgeries and years of isolation,” Dr. Potter says. “To see her finally walk away with a new sense of dignity is the reason we do this work.”  

Beyond the operating room, Dr. Potter plays a vital role in medical education. She regularly brings medical residents and students from Saint Louis University to participate in these missions, exposing them to global health care disparities and hands-on surgical experience. This year, a resident and a medical student accompanied her, assisting with patient tracking and grant reporting.  

“It’s important for young doctors to see health care in different parts of the world,” Dr. Potter says. “The challenges, the resilience of the patients, and the resourcefulness required to provide care changes the way they practice medicine.”  

Many women in the DRC face immense barriers to medical care, including war-related displacement, extreme poverty, and lack of transportation. The hospital in Vanga, a 400-bed facility serving as a major referral center, is nearly inaccessible during the rainy season due to water covering the dirt road. As a result, patients must either take a boat or go by airplane.  

Cultural factors also play a role in health care decisions. Some women resist cesarean sections due to stigma in their communities, believing that undergoing surgery makes them seem weaker.   

Dr. Potter recalls a local public health advocate who worked to educate women about the necessity of C-sections in certain cases. One woman, after hearing this message, chose to go to the hospital, ultimately saving her baby’s life.  

“We have to meet people where they are,” Dr. Potter says. “It’s not just about providing surgery; it’s about changing the conversation and making sure women know their options.”  

Dr. Potter’s work extends beyond the DRC. With experience in multiple African countries, she brings a wealth of knowledge about different health care systems and cultural perspectives. Her time in these regions also informs her practice in the United States, where she has built connections with African-American patients who appreciate her cultural awareness.  

Supporting these medical missions can take many forms. Individual health care professionals can donate expired, but still packaged and unused, medical supplies such as Foley catheters and surgical towels to Dr. Potter for her future trips.  

Additionally, Dr. Potter has a donation fund where 100% of donations go directly to patient care. The cost of a single surgery is remarkably low, just $2,400 covered seven life-changing prolapse surgeries on this last trip alone.  

Dr. Potter remains deeply committed to her mission. For those interested in supporting this cause, donations can be made through World Medical Mission under Dr. Potter’s name. Every contribution directly improves the lives of women.   

“There is so much need, but also so much hope,” Dr. Potter said. “These women are strong, and with the right care, they can reclaim their lives. That’s what keeps me coming back.”  

Through her unwavering dedication, Dr. Potter is transforming lives, one surgery at a time. Her work serves as a powerful reminder of the impact that compassionate, skilled health care professionals can have on communities around the world.