FISH was born in April 2005, when founder David Carreon searched for an organization that could give undergraduates the chance to carry out meaningful service in the health field. Finding no such organization, Carreon and a group of founding Officers decided to start the Fellowship for International Service and Health (FISH). In one month, FISH went from concept to university-recognized student group. After some initial organization, a small group traveled from Los Angeles to Tijuana, Mexico on June 11, 2005, to assist with La Brigada Médica.

La Brigada Médica is a program run by Dr. Caesar Taméz through his hospital, El Buen Samaritano. La Brigada brought together willing medical volunteers (many through Mexican Medical Missions, led by Steve Crews) to serve the people of Tijuana with their medical needs. They offer free and discounted medical services ranging from ultrasounds for pregnant women to dental work to eyeglass fittings. The FISH members who went to the Brigada got a tour of the hospital and saw how it was run. Inspired to contribute, FISH members returned to La Brigada in September and helped to expand service space, help in the dental tent, and aid in the pharmacy. To this day, FISH continues to serve in La Brigada Medica.

In 2006, FISH began to visit and learn about the community of Maclovio Rojas, Mexico. As this community had little or no access to medical care, FISH determined to provide what services it could. Through regular screening for hypertension and diabetes, along with providing certain public health education programs, FISH aims to improve the overall health and conditions of the people who live there. Today, FISH continues to look for new services to provide, and is also actively trying to improve conditions at a local orphanage and at a nearby rehabilitation center.

Through the support of members and contributors over the years, FISH has been able to greatly expand efforts. Early in development, FISH made the adventurous trip to Louisiana to assist in the relief effort after Hurricane Katrina, working with the Red Cross at shelters in Shreveport, LA and Houston, TX. In addition to La Brigada Medica, FISH associates have been able to serve at medical clinics in Palawan, Philipines, Palenque, Mexico, San Pedro Sula, Honduras, and Arad, Romania. Since acquiring 501(c)(3) non-profit status in 2007, FISH hopes that expansion to new projects will continue to provide more opportunities to serve those in need. In 2009, FISH began to focus on creating an effective public health survey with the support of dedicated individuals in the community of Maclovio Rojas to produce positive changes that are measurable and publishable.