VCOM 2020 Annual Report

HONDURAS Outreach Trips E very year, VCOM organizes international outreach trips in two main locations in Honduras: Tegucigalpa and Santa Rosa de Copán. In Santa Rosa de Copán, Mission Upreach (Misión Hacia Arriba) arranged in-country logistics, coordinated site visits and organized local interpreters to facilitate communication with the patients. Clinical activities included day trips to underserved areas in surrounding communities. Outside of the clinics, the group enjoyed visiting a coffee plantation, an assisted living facility, an orphanage and the local hospital. In Tegucigalpa, the Baxter Institute hosted and generously supported VCOM medical groups. Clinical activities included day trips to various communities scattered throughout the mountainous regions surrounding Tegucigalpa. Additionally, students were assigned to provide women’s healthcare at the VCOM-affiliated Baxter Clinic. Patients seen during the week were referred to the clinic for any follow-up care. Outside of the clinics, the students enjoyed playing with children at the Jóvenes orphanage. Since July 2019, VCOM medical teams have served approximately 1,305 Honduran pediatric, adult and elderly patients with an estimated 800 more patients in the next few months. The outreach trips in Honduras were inspiring for all those who gave their time to meet needs and make a difference for underserved communities in Santa Rosa de Copán, Tegucigalpa and the surrounding communities in Honduras.

I truly believe this mission trip was one of the most beneficial opportunities I’ve been given while at VCOM. Every preceptor was helpful and encouraging and the patients taught me humility and the importance of basic primary care.”

– Hannah Simpson VCOM-Carolinas

From exploring Santa Rosa’s cobblestone streets to having the opportunity to care for many children in the community, I was very excited with each day we had there. I was able to improve my OMM skills, and I became more comfortable treating patients, both young and old.”

– Abe-Melek Bekele VCOM-Virginia

Looking back, I am extremely grateful for the medical knowledge and cultural experiences I gained during our week in Tegucigalpa, but I am most thankful that this trip gave me a renewed sense of empathy and desire to help others.”

– Kelsey Lantz VCOM-Carolinas

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