Michael Lahn, an emergency room doctor at Jack D. Weiler Hospital in the Bronx, dedicates a significant portion of his vacations to building homes in the Dominican Republic. Based in Pelham, Lahn has spent over 12 years assisting in the construction of approximately 10 homes in the San Juan Province de la Maguana.
Lahn leads multiple trips each year with Bridges to Community, a non-profit organization based in Westchester County. The organization focuses on sending local volunteers to rural neighborhoods in the Dominican Republic to help build housing, support farmers, and provide educational scholarships to local students.
Lahn’s introduction to this work began when his children were invited on a volunteer trip. Although the organizers initially did not want parents involved, they changed their minds after Lahn mentioned his medical background. “I made them an offer they couldn’t refuse,” he said.
His first trip in 2014 involved constructing a community center that would serve as a study space for children. The project took more than two years to complete, requiring multiple trips and the involvement of volunteers. Lahn also oversaw the establishment of a medical clinic during his various trips. Over the years, his family has joined him, making this initiative a collective effort.
Bridges to Community’s projects can be physically demanding, according to Lahn. He described the trips as requiring long hours in the heat, with volunteers sharing accommodations in rural villages. “It is a tough week and it’s not for everyone,” Lahn noted. “Our service trips are very unique in how hard they are physically as well as mentally.”
Lahn emphasized the impact of seeing families receive their new homes, which he believes enhances young volunteers’ understanding of poverty. “Yes, we are helping people in the DR, but we also hope to raise awareness of poverty and appropriate ways to help,” he stated.
In addition to construction, Lahn organizes medical trips to offer free health screenings to residents, often bringing high school and college students interested in healthcare. Many students who volunteer with Lahn have subsequently pursued careers in medicine. Bridges to Community also launched a scholarship program in 2023, aiming to help local students attend college—opportunities that may have otherwise been unattainable.
“I’m a big advocate of our scholarship program because of its ripple effects on what happens to a family if one person gets an education,” he said. Lahn’s own children reflect these positive outcomes: one son is a teacher, another daughter is an attorney, and his youngest son, who has participated in numerous trips, is currently in medical school.
The Lahn family was acknowledged for their service on October 15 at Bridges to Community’s annual gala in New Rochelle. The organization aims to encourage more individuals, particularly young volunteers, to engage in community service and humanitarian efforts.
Those interested in organizing volunteer trips or supporting the organization can visit the Bridges to Community website for more information on current projects and donation opportunities.
