COM Outlook - Summer 2015

18 Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine 19 The volunteers encountered an array of medical conditions that included hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabe- tes, heart disease, endocrine disorders, chronic lung and kidney disease, rheu- matologic and neurologic disorders, musculoskeletal conditions, gynecolog- ic disorders, skin and gastrointestinal disorders, and other acute illnesses. In addition, they had the opportunity to work with local clinical psycholo- gists and physical therapists and refer patients to both of these specialties. Throughout the week, the team visited different towns, set up triage, exam- ination, and pharmacy stations, and signed-up patients. Students rotated in each of the stations throughout the five clinic days, which allowed them to gain different perspectives on patient care with input and guidance from the participating physicians. During this medical outreach experience, students were able to take patient histories, practice their physical diagnosis skills, and develop differential diagnoses. Accompanying the NSU team were five D.O. resident physicians from Southampton Hospital in New York who graciously donated their time and expertise: Rachel Huges, Danielle Conahan, Angana Homchaudhuri, Biju Lukose, and Rahul Mahapatra. Another major contributor to the trip’s success was Shawn Cannon D.O., FACOI, director of the Southampton Medical Education Residency Program in Social Medicine and an NSU-COM regional clinical dean, who helped defray travel costs for the attending resident physi- cians and provided time off from their busy schedules to participate. The students not only learned the challenges of providing care to the underserved, but also had the oppor- tunity to educate the community about the importance of nutrition, proper hygiene, and preventive medicine. Along the way, the team members collaborated with local residents in providing care and strove to learn more about the local population’s cultural health practices and beliefs. In addition, first-year students Amy Tran and Jennifer Maning were ac- tively involved in a research study on multi-morbid chronic conditions in Ecuador that was developed and administered by Robin J. Jacobs, Ph.D., M.S.W., M.S., director of international medicine at NSU-COM. Later this year, the trio plans to submit the study results to the 2015 Student Poster Com- petition at the American Osteopathic Association’s Osteopathic Medical Conference and Exposition. “Traveling to Ecuador not only remind- ed me of why I chose medicine, but it also reinforced my love for learning and listening to others with no precon- ceived ideas or judgments,” said OMS-I Romeena Lee. “A 95-year-old man with an uneven gait came into the clinic on our last day in Ecuador complaining of blurred vision and dizziness. But it wasn’t the medical complaints that intrigued me; it was his stories. During his wait to see the physician, I listened intently as he told me about seeing the communities around him change due to politics and the economy and watching the world fight over resources and the tragedies these arguments brought,” she added. “Yet, beyond the tragedies, he said there was always love, help, and people who genuinely wanted the best for others. These sentiments were the perfect way to realize the trip had not only been about my own personal gains, but also a reminder that there’s a bigger picture— one that involves love, peace, and learning from others.” INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH Interesting Cases on Display in the Dominican Republic By OMS-II Natalie Voorn International Medical Outreach Club President IN DECEMBER 2014, 8 second-year medical students, 4 physicians, a translator, and I set out on an outreach trip to help approximately 400 underserved residents in the mountains of Jarabocoa in the Dominican Republic. We packed suitcases containing medical supplies, toothbrushes, and vitamins to help those in need. —OMS-I ROMEENA LEE “Traveling to Ecuador not only reminded me of why I chose medicine, but it also reinforced my love for learning and listening to others with no preconceived ideas or judgments.”