Two groups from the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Student
Alliance for Global Health (SAGH) will spend spring break serving the health
needs of South Dakota Sioux Indian communities. From March 17-23, nine
students from the College of Medicine and four from the Physician Assistant
Education program will stay at the Rosebud Lakota Sioux and the Sisseton
Dakota Sioux Reservations.
The Rosebud Reservation group includes, Rachael Geidel (PA1), Anna Trauernicht
(M1), Joann Sueper (PA1), David Meduna (M1), JoniRae Schmidt (PA1), Neil
Bratney (M2), and Elizabeth Bures (M2). The Sisseton Reservation group
includes Uzo Nwyoe (M2), Kiran Lassi (M2), Theresa Spitzer (M2), Kim Olsen
(M1), Kim Hovseth (PA1) and Casey Nekl (M1).
The SAGH students initially will receive extensive briefings on American
Indian history and culture by tribal leaders. The rest of their stay will
be spent working in reservation medical facilities assisting resident and
visiting family practitioners, surgeons and emergency room doctors. Emergency
room assistance is particularly needed during evening shifts. On previous
missions to the reservations, SAGH students also attended tribal council
meetings and shared dinners and sweat lodges with hospital administrators.
Because diabetes is an epidemic among American Indians, the SAGH group
will present a fun-filled diabetes education program for more than 200
fourth- and fifth-grade students at local elementary schools. The 20-minute
diabetes program is designed with materials supplied by the American Diabetes
Association and the North Dakota Department of Health.
“The reservation medical mission is important to our education because
it gives us an opportunity to see a different way of approaching health
care in a variety of settings,” said Schmidt, who is participating in her
first medical mission. It also gives us a chance to gain a better understanding
of how cultural beliefs may interact with patient treatment. By taking
part in this experience we will be able to shape our ideas of patient care
that will influence the way we practice medicine in our own future careers.”
Bratney is making a return trip to the Rosebud Reservation. “I am returning
for another opportunity to experience this greatly underserved area of
our country, ” said Bratney, trip leader. “As a medical student, experiences
like this make you appreciate not only your own blessings, but also your
obligations to serve the poorest among you.
Donations are tax deductible and are still being accepted. For more
information, contact Sara Pirtle at 402-559-2924.