Category: Health

Completing the first of their tri-annual trips to the frontera, the University of Wyoming left the snow and cold to come to their affiliate community of Agua Salada during the heat of the dry season. The brigade was comprised of 1 attending doctor, 2 residents, 1 nurse, a nurse practitioner student, an EMT, 7 nursing students, 2 engineers, an engineering student, and a social work student, all of whom added unique perspectives from every discipline. They spent their week hosting a clinic at the local Catholic church, educating students at local elementary schools about proper tooth brushing, hand washing, and sun protection, and teaching English to local students. They also did home visits for those patients who could not make it to the clinic and oversaw/ worked side by side the contractors on the new clinic. Excursions to local waterfalls, the Concepción market, and nightly games and reflections were also highlights of the trip. The clinic is well underway with the leech field done, the walls up, and the roof of one building complete. Hopefully, by the next brigade, the University will be camping on the clinic site rather than on the school grounds and classrooms of the local elementary school! The community of Agua Salada is excited about continuing the partnership with the University of Wyoming as the clinic progress moves forward!

 Some words from brigade members:

“I got so much more out of the trip than I had even hoped for.”

“Experience was outstanding. No complaints. The food, people, clinic, and building were all amazing.”

“Everything exceeded my expectations, I can’t wait to come back!”

 
 

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”

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!”