In Hafr Al-Batin, nurse Ghazal Al-Anzi stepped out without a white coat and saw a man collapsing on the pavement. Instantly, that ever-awake inner call stirred: duty before all else. She was the nurse of the moment as much as of the shift. By God’s grace, and then thanks to her, the man survived.
The story spread across social media: a patient was saved, and the event proved once again that healthcare practitioners remain a helping hand even beyond working hours—their role continuing outside the hospital walls.
Rapid Response
There are many stories of healthcare professionals whose quick actions made a difference. We still recall Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Muhailisi, who saved a man in Virginia—a story covered by the American press.
Healthcare practitioners are often invaluable in emergencies, even on an airplane. One striking example was Saudi medical student Dr. Arwad, who responded to a health emergency aboard a Canadian flight.
These are cases of direct, instinctive responses. But many practitioners also volunteer with local or global disaster response organizations. At the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, Saudi healthcare professionals have provided care in crisis zones such as Syria. One such story is that of specialist Ashwaq Al-Qahtani, who witnessed cochlear implant surgeries for children in refugee camps.
In humanitarian disasters—whether floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, or epidemics—healthcare workers are deployed to treat injuries, manage outbreaks, and support overwhelmed local systems. Their presence is critical for immediate medical relief and helping communities recover.
Some also join formal emergency preparedness groups. In the United States, for example, the “Medical Reserve Corps” is a national network of volunteer units made up of health professionals ready to staff mass vaccination clinics or emergency shelters, even if their day-to-day work is in private practice.
Health Volunteering
One of the most impactful ways healthcare professionals contribute is through volunteering. This includes free clinics, health awareness programs, medical missions, and psychological support for patients.
A doctor or nurse may dedicate an evening each week to seeing patients at a community clinic, offering basic exams and care free of charge. Pharmacists may volunteer to advise patients on medications, and dentists may conduct free oral health checkups.
In Saudi Arabia, health volunteering has become a structured part of the system through the Health Volunteering Platform—one of the most significant channels enabling practitioners to contribute beyond their official duties. Practitioners who shared their experiences described it as deeply enriching both personally and professionally.
Street Medicine
In the United States, some healthcare professionals practice “street medicine”—direct care for people experiencing homelessness or extreme poverty. This means delivering medical and social services in the patients’ own environments.
Today, street medicine has evolved into a recognized field with training and best practices. Organizations in countries like the U.S. specialize in this approach, which blends medical care with community outreach.
Unlike in clinics, where the patient–provider relationship is structured and formal, street medicine requires cultural sensitivity, respect, and patience. Building trust with underserved patients—many of whom have felt neglected or stigmatized—takes time. Through humility and professionalism, providers can make a real difference.
Street medicine teams of doctors, nurses, and social workers take to sidewalks, alleys, camps, and shelters to reach patients one-on-one. They carry backpacks with basic medications, diagnostic tools, and emergency supplies. A nurse may carry a wound-care kit, while a physician brings treatments for infections or chronic conditions, offering care even in tent cities.
Education and Awareness
Even beyond clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies, healthcare practitioners remain bearers of knowledge. Outside formal practice, they often step into educational roles. Haven’t you ever been asked for advice once someone learned you’re a Health Practitioner?
This informal education can grow into structured outreach: many practitioners volunteer to give free health talks in schools, community centers, libraries, or even mosques. A pharmacist may run a workshop for seniors on safe medication use, or a nutritionist may give a lecture on diabetes prevention.
Education on healthy lifestyles, disease prevention, chronic disease management, and especially mental health can have a powerful effect. It enriches both the practitioner and the community.
Dentists, for example, visit primary schools to teach children proper oral hygiene. Doctors and nurses may run CPR or safety training sessions for teenagers.
On Social Media
Healthcare practitioners also play a vital role on social media. While a lecture may reach 40 or 50 people, a single post can reach thousands—or millions.
They can simplify complex medical information, share practical health tips, and raise awareness about vaccination, nutrition, and first aid. Equally important, they can combat misinformation. In an era of viral falsehoods, their voices carry authority. By dispelling myths and addressing fears in plain language, they help build trust in the medical community.
Still, professionalism remains essential. Patient privacy must be respected, and practitioners must avoid spreading unverified claims. The public looks to them as trusted sources of truth.
Role Models in Daily Life
Healthcare practitioners are also seen as role models. Beyond their shifts, many work to embody the healthy practices they advocate: exercising regularly, eating balanced diets, sleeping well, and managing stress.
Patients are more likely to follow advice when they see it modeled. A doctor who counsels patients to quit smoking is far more credible if he or she avoids tobacco. A dietitian inspires confidence by practicing healthy eating habits.
Some practitioners even become local health icons, joining community events such as charity runs or cycling groups, or leading public health campaigns.
Research and Knowledge
The role of the healthcare practitioner extends into research as well. Many contribute to academic projects, assist in data collection, or serve as collaborators in clinical trials—often outside their regular working hours.
By supporting evidence generation and sharing frontline data, practitioners help improve medical knowledge and patient outcomes. Their involvement ensures that research remains grounded in real-world healthcare realities.
In every sphere—emergency response, volunteering, street medicine, education, social media, role modeling, and research—healthcare practitioners prove that their mission never ends when the shift does. Outside the hospital walls, their impact on communities is as vital as within them.
