Twenty-one medical students from the University of Nebraska Medical
Center College of Medicine in Omaha are preparing for a six-day spring
break in Jamaica. But they won’t be laying on the beach. They’ll be working
10 hours or more a day providing medical care to the poor.
The UNMC Student Alliance for Global Health is seeking monetary gifts
and donations of medications, toiletries and summer clothing to take on
its ninth humanitarian medical mission, March 12-18, to Falmouth, Jamaica.
Falmouth is a poor, medically-underserved city of about 10,000 located
about 20 miles east of Montego Bay. Only one physician serves the area,
said Connie Butler, UNMC medical student and one of the coordinators of
the mission.
The students will see about 90 patients a day, Butler said. They will
treat patients for a variety of illnesses, do health screenings and perform
minor surgery. Service will be provided in a small, four-room clinic, without
the conveniences of modern medical equipment.
The group will work during the day then hold educational sessions in
the evenings to share what the students learned during the day. While in
Jamaica, some of the students will provide health screenings and medical
care at the Girls Home of Safety, a residence of about 75 mostly orphaned,
school-age girls.
Marcus Snow, UNMC medical student from Grand Island, participated in
the mission last year and will also participate in this years mission.
We learn what it really takes to be a good doctor, not only how to diagnose
and treat patients, but more importantly how to educate and to help people
help themselves, Snow said. To me, this trip is an amazing experience
because it allows us to give something back to people in need while we
gain experience and knowledge.
The group is looking for donations of pharmaceuticals, especially antibiotics,
pain relievers, and diabetes medications. The students also are collecting
toiletries such as toothbrushes and toothpaste, as well as shampoo and
soap and new and used summer clothing for children, ages five to 18. Clothing
and toiletries can be dropped off anytime at the Phi Chi house, 3708 Dewey
Ave. To make other donations, call the Student Alliance for Global Health
at (402) 344-4715.
UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the state.
Through its commitment to research, education, outreach and patient care,
UNMC has established itself as one of the country’s leading centers for
cancer research and treatment, solid organ transplantation and arthritis.
During the past year, nearly $31 million in research grants and contracts
were awarded to UNMC scientists, and UNMCs funding from the National Institutes
of Health increased by 28 percent, going from $16.2 million to $20.7 million.
UNMCs educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals
practicing in Nebraska than any other institution.