University of Rochester: San Jose (May 6 – 19)

The University of Rochester kept busy on their 1stof 2 yearly visits to the small town of San Jose. They spent 10 days enjoying the amazing views and doing everything from sex-
education to pulling teeth. They were a well-equipped team of 11; 2 attendings, 1 dentist and one dental student, 5 medical residents, a photographer and a church representative who works on their local scholarship program.
The group worked around the clock seeing patients, both medical and dental, as well as holding various mini-lectures for the local midwives and scholarship students. In addition, the team group had a chance to show off their theater skills in their skits about money management for their loan program. The dentists kept busy with a constant line of patients as well as hiking to the surrounding schools to check-up on their fluoride program. The photographer captured everyday life in San Jose and quickly became the most popular team member among the local kids who were eager to pose for portraits.  Thanks to everyone for all of your hard work and we are excited to see you in October!
“I grew as a person, as a physician, as a leader and as team member, thanks!”
“So welcoming and everyone, from the translators to the brigade volunteers. They were always there, willing, pleasant, answering my questions and sharing stories. Wonderfully friendly”
“Great opportunity to work and gain experience in Global health”
“Translators were excellent – Raul, Alex, Paulett and Ed, all extremely helpful. Kate and Maggie were superb!”
 

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Dentists hard at work in the San Jose clinic

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Team holding interview for micro-finance loans

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Teaching how to take care of water filters

 

University of Cincinnati Family Medicine brigade (April 9 -20)

Santa Lucia was happy to welcome their first brigade of the year… this large group of over 30 people came from University of Cincinnati accompanied by translators from the bilingual school in La Ceiba. They were made up of 3 attendings, 6 residents, 6 medical students, 1 pharmacist, 4 pharmacy students and our very own Sharon Mullen.

Resident student taking vitals at a local field clinic
Resident student taking vitals at a local field clinic

2 weeks were packed with 3 groups leaving to various communities everyday with activities ranging from field clinics to diabetes and hypertension clubs. Some days includes health fairs which offered pap-smears, dental revisions and education as well as a variety of labs such as pregnancy and HIV tests. The group never lost steam and were determined to do blood pressure screenings in the Magdalena market and a cleaning operation on the weekend as well as home visits everyday after clinic. Thank you Cincinnati for all the good times, great attitudes and much needed rain after the dry season!
“All staff were very helpful and willing to listen to everyones suggestions. Great people!”
“Everyone was helpful when we needed to talk about any issues, esp. Amy Schumer”
“No complaints! very glad I chose to work with HAH – great people and great missions. Inspiring!”
“A good exercise in medical altruism “outside the box”!”
 
“Very impressed with what STS is doing in Honduras”
Foot check and nail cutting at Diabetes clinic
Foot check and nail cutting at Diabetes clinic

UC Pride!
UC Pride!

 

What We Learned in Honduras

A few words from the University of Wyoming brigade members and what they learned during their trip to the frontera:
1)     A very small part of a beautiful language
2)     The rule of unintended consequence
3)     A view into a brand new culture
4)     I can somewhat “rough it” in a tent
5)     It is possible to form connections without speaking the same language
6)     Why I continue to love world travel and experiencing new cultures and
countries
7)     How to problem solve a little better
8)     The value of non-verbal communication
9)     To appreciate creativity and resourcefulness of others
10)    A little kindness goes a long way
11)    Development work is never as easy as it may seem
12)    Relationships are more healing than band aids (or stickers)
13)    How to be dirty and be “ok” with it
14)    If there is nothing, people won’t fight over it; but add anything,
worthless or not, and they will
15)    It I do ever adopt a child, I’ll have to consider a Honduran
16)     One of the greatest sounds on earth is children laughing
17)    Community should be community and not just where you hide out in your
home
18)    Everyone can do something to help others
19)   How much healing can be done without medicine…but Ben Gay helps
20)   Most things that are appreciated by people are similar across cultural
lines
21)   Honduras is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited
22)    Honduran culture is one of the most unique and inspiring
23)    People are more alike than different

Brigade members in the clinic
Brigade members in the clinic