VCOM View Vol 8-1

› › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › ›  O u t r e a c h

El Salvador Virginia - Primary Care Outreach O n July 19, 2015 a group of 20 second-year students from the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) – Virginia campus embarked on a one-week outreach trip to El Salvador. Joining them were Kenneth D’Amato, DO; Hughes Melton, MD; Anuradha Reddy, MD; as well as two registered nurses from Radford University, Margarete Bassett and Kemberly Campbell; and Cassie Mitchell, a PhD student from Virginia Tech in the Department of Human Nutrition, Food, and Exercise. In-country physicians included Dr. Monica Zaldivar and Dr. Pedro Solano, both VCOM appointed faculty. During the trip, the group was hosted by AMILAT, a faith-based organization in San Salvador. The VCOM medical team set up temporary clinics at three children’s homes, a remote mountainous village, and a public school throughout San Salvador and the departments of Sonsonate and Chalatenango. Over 450 patients received medical care during the week. As evidenced by the trip roster, every outreach trip requires the input of numerous professionals working together to ensure the success of VCOM’s international program. Teamwork critical for the smooth operation of the clinics on a daily basis. The trip was an excellent opportunity for the VCOM students to put their medical skills into practice and gain intercultural competence while serving the global community. ◄

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