|
Mission Trip Successful Learning Experience posted 1/25/10
Adrian College students anxious to return to Nicaragua
ADRIAN, Mich. - Over the holiday break, fifteen Adrian College students traveled to Managua, Nicaragua on a medical mission with International Service Learning (ISL).
Among students participating were individuals planning future careers in medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, health administration and global health policy. Several students also had Spanish language skills and were valued for their assistance in translation services.
Driving forces behind the trip were seniors Adam Hull and Gabe Holdwick, both of whom had traveled previously with ISL to Central America, and found it a transforming experience.
“We were planning to take a second trip, and wanted to extend the opportunity to more Adrian students, "said Hull.
While in Nicaragua, students assisted local physicians and dentists at walk-in clinics, at nursing homes and in hospitals. On arrival, students prepared for these experiences by attending workshops and seminars in tropical diseases, medical assessment and other topics.
Dr. Agnes Caldwell, dean and vice president of academic affairs at the College, endorsed the trip.
"Such trips provide our students an excellent opportunity to merge experiential learning with cultural exchange,” said Caldwell. “We were very happy to support the Pre-Health Professions Society and the Institute for Health Studies in organizing this trip, and look forward to future trips as well.”
According to Marcia Boynton, director of the Institute for Health Studies, this medical mission trip is the first of many future trips.
“Students made a real connection with patients in Nicaragua, and are anxious to return,” said Boynton. “Our educational partner, International Service Learning, is already at work organizing a unique trip for Adrian College students for December 2010."
Students seeking information about the 2010 trip should contact Boynton at 517-265-5161 ext. 4079 or via e-mail at mboynton@adrian.edu.
Photos and captions courtesy of Marcia Boynton.
The hotel served breakfast daily – among the menu items were veggie omelets, scrambled or fried eggs and pancakes, but always… coffee, juice, fresh fruit and beans.
Gabe Holdwick, Dennis Desment, Matt Thomas, Jonathan Oh, and Mary Messing made up the dental team. Students were instructed and closely supervised at all times by Dr. Alfredo Vargas, a Nicaraguan dentist (third from left).
In a private dental practice, a filling would cost $15 – about a week’s salary for many Nicaraguans. This sign notifies patients of the modest charges at the clinic – the equivalent of $1 for a cleaning, $2 for a filling and $3 for an extraction. Many patients counted out their payment in change.
Matt Thomas and Dennis Desmet search for the correct instrument, under Dr. Vargas’ direction.
Dr. Vargas has examined the patient, and developed a treatment plan for the day. In this photo, he is reviewing the case with the dental team.
In a few years – will any of these AC students be YOUR dentist??
Dr. Cerratas greeting and triaging the many patients waiting for care on our arrival. Some are booked for assessment at our clinic, others encouraged to visit the governmental clinic or hospital.
Among other seminars and lectures we attended, students practiced suturing techniques on boned chicken breasts.
The Barbattis were a big hit at the Mancanitas clinic! Patients were curious – were they brothers, or were they twins?
The little girls LOVED having their pictures taken. Heidi Roberts got acquainted with these two before clinic began.
Each student has a rotation in the pharmacy. Jessica Saunders is repackaging an over the counter medicine and dispensing it to the patient pursuant to Dr. Cerratos’ order.
Brantz Branderger takes a blood pressure for this Nicaraguan gentleman.
It’s definitely health care – there is PAPERWORK! Adam Hull wraps up the documentation from a patient visit.
Most evenings we had dinner at very nice restaurants. This one overlooked the city lights of Managua.
Girls Just Wanna Go to Nicaragua!
|
