VCOM - Auburn 2017 Yearbook

Honduras | Santa Rosa

Honduras is known for its vivid mountain ranges that are best viewed from the tops of its ancient Mayan ruins.

O n October 1, 2016, a group of students, faculty and staff from the Auburn campus of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM), as well as several external preceptors and volunteers, embarked on a one-week medical outreach trip to Santa Rosa de Copan Honduras. Hosting organization Mission Upreach (Misión Hacia Arriba) arranged in-country logistics, coordinated site visits and organized local interpreters to facilitate communication with

to become immersed in another culture while learning how to provide healthcare to individuals,” said class of 2019 student Paul Ulrich. “I will never forget my first encounter with a patient who looked at me as if I were her doctor, not a medical student, and look forward to utilizing the skills I learned in my future practice as a physician,” Ulrich added. “Working in Santa Rosa, Honduras is a time in life I will never forget,” said Rachel Spurrier, another class of 2019 student. “I loved serving and getting to know the people in the different villages, and the gratitude the patients expressed was beyond genuine and heart changing,” Spurrier added. Second-year student Erin Gordon said that she planned to continue to go on mission trips. “I am forever thankful that VCOM chose me to go on this once-in- a-lifetime trip,” said Gordon.

the patients. Over the course of the week, the team served approximately 350 pediatric, adult and elderly patients. Clinical activities in Santa Rosa, Honduras included day trips to underserved areas in communities surrounding Santa Rosa de Copan. Regardless of the location, the group quickly assembled tents and OMM tables to transform local community centers, schools and churches into temporary clinics. Outside of the clinic, the group enjoyed a cultural day at the Mayan Ruins. “Our mission trip to Honduras was an amazing opportunity

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