Our Story
How SEVA
came to be
SEVA Medicine Collective was born from an unexpected encounter in Peru. At a leadership retreat called Warrior Retreats X, they met a translator named James, and realized that one act of service could become something much larger.
A Pivotal Retreat
Dr. Kat and Dr. Dan traveled to Peru for Warrior Retreats X, a leadership retreat led by Branden Collinsworth — Dr. Rolling's son, who has kept his father's humanitarian spirit alive. Their translator was James, who revealed what a true Warrior embodied. He has a remarkable story of resilience and purpose, and is so close to becoming a doctor.
Dr. Rolling & TPAIDA
Dr. Lane Rolling founded TPAIDA, a Peruvian nonprofit that brought American students to Peru for service experiences while reinvesting deeply in Peruvian healthcare. He taught at a local university medical school, supported hospital training, and gave back to Amazon jungle clinics. James was a critical part of TPAIDA, and Dr. Rolling's plan was always to leave it to him. James was not just a student but the future steward of that mission.
A medical student who had to stop
James was born and raised in Iquitos, Peru. A series of serendipitous events led him from poverty to five years away from becoming a doctor. This story spans 20 years.
2003 — James met Dr. Rolling at the Iquitos airport.
2003–2005 — James worked as Dr. Rolling's bag boy.
2006–2018 — James became a medical interpreter, growing into a critical part of TPAIDA's work in Peru.
2019 — Dr. Rolling committed to sponsor James, including his family, to attend medical school. James earned admission ranking 5th out of 300 applicants for 10 spots.
2020 — James started medical school.
2021 — James contracted COVID and almost died. He was intubated for two months. It took him a year to learn how to eat and walk again.
2022 — James returned to medical school.
2023 — At the age of 59, Dr. Rolling tragically and unexpectedly passes away. Everything comes to a stop.
More than a scholarship
By caring for Dr. Rolling's legacy and ensuring James becomes a doctor, SEVA gains access to the platform TPAIDA already built: the hospital relationships, the jungle clinics, the community trust built over 20 years. This is not just about a scholarship. James is the key to expanding healthcare in Peru using infrastructure that already exists and already works.