VCOM - Auburn 2017 Yearbook

outreach

“The days spent in the Dominican Republic made me overwhelmed by our immeasurable privilege and the great responsibility that accompanies our privilege. I gained a greater awareness of the great fortune we have in winning the “lottery of birth” being born in one of the wealthiest countries in the world. I came away with so many experiences that afforded me clearer perspective on challenges faced in providing healthcare to the underserved and furthered my desire to continue to be an agent of hope for these populations.” Scott Wilder, Class of 2019 Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, January 2017 “The April 2017 VCOM-Auburn medical mission trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic served as a crucial foundational building block in my medical education. The trip put to use fundamental critical thinking and problem solving to help construct the basic infrastructure needed to begin the clerkship aspect of my training, commencing in the very near future. The experience also served as a solid reminder as to why I started on this journey to begin with. After two years of sitting in a classroom and studying textbook material for hours on end, it is easy to get lost and lose sight of the initial passion for medicine and serving others. Getting out there and seeing those patients was the perfect reminder and functioned as the quintessential spark to re-light that original flame — especially here at the halfway point in my medical education.” “This medical mission trip was a life changing experience for me. The knowledge and confidence that I’ve gained because of this experience is invaluable. Initially, I felt nervous about what I was doing and didn’t feel competent diagnosing the patient, coming up with a plan and writing prescriptions. However, by the last day, it almost became second nature. Secondly, the satisfaction I felt from helping these patients is immeasurable and witnessing their satisfaction and gratitude made it so much more rewarding. Plus, I made unforgettable friends along the way.” Abby Sheffield, Class of 2019 Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, April 2017

Lisette Dominguez, Class of 2019 Tegucigalpa, Honduras, July 2016

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