On March 16-23, members of UNMC’s Student Alliance for Global Health (SAGH) will journey to Jamaica for their annual medical mission. The six days at Falmouth will provide a unique experience for 22 students to serve one of the poorest communities in the Western Hemisphere.
The small health clinic in Falmouth serves more than 500 people in a single week and is open only during overseas medical missions. The students, supervised by four UNMC family practice advisers, will face a daily onslaught of social and health conditions found only among the poorest of the poor. In addition to serving clinic patients, the students will visit the local elementary school and give workshops on nutrition, reproduction and infections. Also, waiting patients in the clinic will receive educational presentations on how to avoid a number of diseases endemic to the area.
The opening of the Falmouth clinic has a significant impact on the entire area. People travel from outlying areas to get care because it may be their only opportunity for an indefinite amount of time. The clinic is open only when overseas medical personnel journey to Falmouth, bringing their own medical supplies and instruments. Although there is a local facility that includes a hospital and clinic, there is limited health care because there are few physicians. As a result, the periodic opening of the Falmouth clinic by medical missions is crucial.
Students participating in the Jamaica mission include: Antara Pothuloori (M1), Dana Olson (M1), John Grebe (M2), Jessica Bracken (M2), Matthew Sweney (M2), Katie Hanson (M1), Molly Collins (M1), Chad Branecki (M2), Brenda Chrastil (M2), Jill Pecha (M2), Ryan Hurd (M1), Carrie Beehner (M2), Stephanie Diamantis (M1), Jon French (M2), Jeff Boyle (M2), Josh Phillips (M1), Scott Welch (M2), Roger Paulman (M1), Lance Wiebusch (M2), Michael Bauer (M2), and trip leaders Jessica Banks (M2) and Alecia Hollman (M2).
“I see the Jamaica mission trip as a tremendous learning tool that will give me hands-on experience with the medical treatment of patients,” Banks said. “It also teaches me more about what it means to interact with patients on all levels, including spiritually and emotionally. I know I will learn so much both inside and outside the clinic by experiencing the Jamaican people.”
The entire success of the Jamaican mission relies upon the support of the Omaha community, pharmaceutical company donations and local physician assistance. The SAGH student must pay his or her own airfare ($600) and lodging. Cash donations, which are not used to purchase medical supplies, helps defray some of the personal expenses of the students.
Donations are tax deductible and are still being accepted. For more information, contact Jessica Banks at 402-561-6640 or Sara Pirtle at 402-559-2924.
Photo: Front row, left to right, Antara Pothuloori, Dana Olson, John Grebe, Jessica Bracken, Matthew Sweney, Katie Hanson, and Alecia Hollman. Second row: Molly Collins, Chad Branecki, Brenda Chrastil, Jill Pecha, Ryan Hurd, Carrie Beehner, Stephanie Diamantis and Jessica Banks. Third row: John French, Jeff Boyle, Josh Philips, Scott Welch, Roger Paulman, Lance Wiebusch, and Michael Bauer.