Nine UNMC students, including seven from the College of Medicine, one from the Physician Assistant Education program and one from the College of Nursing, will spend March 16-23 in Nicaragua.
The students will participate in community public health activities in impoverished neighborhoods in Managua, the capital city, under the auspices of the physicians of Los Chavalitos Maternal-Child Health Clinic.
The group will circulate in the areas served by the clinic and provide free vaccinations, anti-parasite pills, vitamin A and fluoride treatments to people in the community. The group also will have exposure to educational, historical and cultural aspects of Nicaragua.
The 2002 medical mission group includes Cynthia Rivera-Hoff (M2) and Brad Ellis (M2), both trip leaders, and Marc Tompkins (M2), Travis Hageman (M2), Jennifer McWilliams (M2), Robyn Kaiser (M1) Lori Krajicek (M1), Lisa Hood (PA1) and Jennifer Imes (CON T4).
Most of the medical supplies that will be used by the group were donated during their annual medical mission drive. The funds collected and supplies donated include various antibiotics, asthma medicines, antihistamines, oral hypoglycemics, hypertension medications, antiparasitic drugs, non-prescription pain medications and vitamins.
The Los Chavalitos Clinic is fully supported by donations from churches, civic groups and individuals from Omaha and Eastern Nebraska. The students receive an extensive opportunity for immersion into some of the most endemic health problems of underdeveloped nations, including widespread malnutrition, diarrhea, respiratory problems and skin problems.
March 17, the student’s first full day in Nicaragua, will be spent getting oriented to Managua and Nicaragua’s health system. On March 18, the group will spend a full day providing services in the barrios served by Los Chavalitos Clinic. In the evening they will be given a reception by Sergio Ramirez, Ph.D., famed Nicaraguan writer and educator, who was vice president of the nation from 1984-1990. On several nights, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., a total of nine students will shadow Nicaraguan medical staff and students at a government-run Women’s and Children’s Hospital. On March 19-20, the students will be in the neighborhoods served by Los Chavalitos Clinic.
On March 21, the group will spend the day in Leon, the country’s second largest city. The rector and vice-rector of the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua-Leon (sister university to UNMC and the University of Nebraska at Omaha) will host a reception for the students. Then they will tour the university’s medical facilities, Leon’s hospital, the Museum of Ruben Dario (Latin America’s most famous poet – a Nicaraguan), and other cultural sites. On March 22, there will be recreation time to visit Masaya Volcano, the Masayan artisan markets, Granada and Lake Nicaragua, the 10th largest freshwater lake in the world and the home of the world’s only freshwater sharks.
The Nicaragua medical mission group continues to accept donations. Cash donations will help defray transportation costs (students must pay their own airfare) and recreational items for Nicaraguan children. Donations of medical supplies, other than medications, may still be accepted. For more information or to make a donation, contact Pirtle at 402-559-2924.
Photo: Nicaragua medical mission team members are, from left, Sara Pirtle, Travis Hageman, Lisa Hood, Robyn Kaiser, Jennifer McWilliams, Brad Ellis, Cynthia Rivera-Hoff, Lori Krajicek, Marvin Bittner and Marc Tompkins.