Two fourth year medical students from Johns Hopkins were accompanied by Dr. Zuroweste and a translator for a two week stay in Santa Lucia. During their time here they saw 173 patients during daily paquete basicos and made ten house calls. They also met with 37 patients with hypertension or diabetes during three separate Hypertension and Diabetes Clubs. This new brigade activity is designed to educate patients about these chronic illnesses in addition to checking on their condition. The medical students took call a couple of nights and delivered a baby. During the weekend they swam at the Concepcion waterfall, visited the Magdalena market, entered El Salvador by crossing the Rio Torola, and did the traditional sunrise hike. In the evenings the group got together for a lecture on a tropical disease, a slideshow, or to talk about the local culture and Shoulder to Shoulder. They had a very productive and fun visit and the staff enjoyed getting to know this group.
A few comments from brigade participants:
“Very rewarding experience! My Spanish history taking improved. I learned about health care sustainability and improve in clinical and primary care skills”
“Brigade assistants made sure of directions everyday and supplies. Translator Carolina was AWESOME”
University of Wyoming Brigade (Nov. 12th- 20th, 2011)
The University of Wyoming was a multidisciplinary group composed of nursing students, nurse practioners, a doctor, family medicine residents, pharmacy students, social workers, and engineers. They traveled to their community affiliate of Agua Salada, a community named for the spring of salty water that once emerged from the ground in the “city center”. They stayed in the local elementary school and ran clinic out of the local church. Over 400 patients were attended to in four and a half days, nursing students gave educational chats on various health topics, and many brigade members traveled to homes around the area to see patients. English classes were given to local students and several meetings took place with community leaders to learn more about the history of the community and its current needs. Several brigade members also worked alongside the local Hondurans to help build the new clinic, which is well underway! The land is now ready for the pipe installation and the goal is to have it finished by July. The community is very excited about the new clinic and will continue to work alongside the University of Wyoming in order to bring sustainable health care to Agua Salada!
“Both of my trips have been amazing and wonderful learning experiences for the future- can’t wait for the clinic to be built!”
“All accommodations including housing, food, clinic, etc. were great! Thank you for a fabulous experience!”
“Exceeded my expectations and then some! It was such an amazing experience. I feel blessed to have been part of the brigade!”
MONTANA BRIGADE (November 5th-17th, 2011)
The Montana Brigade of 15 members was comprised of 2 instructors, an advanced nursing student and 12 undergraduate nurses in their final semester. The group was comprised of members from different satellite campuses of Montana State University College of Nursing. They brought with them enthusiasm and energy while representing the Western Shoulder to Shoulder affiliates. Over the week and a half they had 512 encounters while visiting over 10 communities. They performed greatly needed tasks such as home visits, consults in our health centers and clinic, health fairs and the painting of a mural with scholarship students. We thank each and everyone of them for their service and hard work and wish them all the best as many of them will graduate in December.
A few quotes from our brigade members about the experience:
“I am excited for the what Shoulder to Shoulder does. I am proud and thankful for an organization that facilitates cross cultural experiences that lead to providing a sustainable health improvement for the citizens of Honduras.”
“I enjoyed being in communities and providing care. I feel like I received a rural health experience.”
“Honestly. I thought I would learn a lot and have interesting experiences, but I never suspected that it would be a complete BLAST! I had so much fun and learned so much!”