Answering the Call: Sturdy Nurse Brings Care to Communities in Ghana

My Health Matters volunteer team in Ghana, 2025.

ATTLEBORO, MA – Each year, while many people spend their time off catching up on rest or planning a vacation, Emergency Department nurse Molly Roveto boards a plane bound for Ghana, joining a team of volunteers who bring free healthcare services to people who would otherwise go without.

Molly is part of My Health Matters, a nonprofit founded by former Sturdy ICU nurse Charity Mamoako Atta. The organization runs annual health clinics in underserved Ghanaian communities, where access to care is limited, and costs often prevent people from seeking even the most basic medical help.

Now three trips in, Molly has become a consistent and valued member of the team. “Volunteering has really opened my eyes,” she said. “It’s made me more aware of how many people live without access to care, and it’s helped me become more compassionate with patients here at home, too.”

The clinics are a full operation, running from 7 a.m. until early afternoon. Patients check in, provide medical history, and receive vitals screenings, blood sugar checks, and consultations with a doctor. The team provides education on conditions like diabetes and hypertension and distributes up to a three-month supply of medications, many of which are difficult for local patients to afford once the team is gone. In recent years, they’ve also begun bringing dental care, personal hygiene supplies, and even reading glasses and coloring books for children.

As word spreads throughout the region, more and more people seek help. That growth is both inspiring and challenging. Donations haven’t kept pace with the need, and Charity often covers travel and supply costs herself. “Charity has such a big vision for the future,” Molly said. “She’ll do whatever it takes to help.”

The ultimate goal is to establish a permanent clinic in Ghana, one that operates year-round, with local staff and ongoing support. In the meantime, Molly says, each return trip brings new connections and lasting gratitude. “The people remember us. They greet us with big smiles and thank us for coming all that way just to help. That’s what makes it worth it.”

Molly hopes to return again in 2026, and she encourages others to consider getting involved. “It’s not a luxury trip, but it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done. It’s rewarding in every sense of the word.”