VCOM - Virginia 2018 Yearbook

Dominican Republic July 2017

T he Verón Rural Clinic in the Dominican Republic allows VCOM to provide medical care for a community of about 60,000 people. This area often lacks access to basic healthcare services. This care was made possible starting in 2006 through collaborative efforts between VCOM, the Punta Cana Foundation, and the Secretary of Public Health and Social Assistance in the Dominican Republic. A partnership with the Appalachian College of Pharmacy (ACOP) allows the Clinic to staff a full-time pharmacist and provides an

international rotation site for pharmacy students. Each year, VCOM faculty and students provide first responder training to Punta Cana Resort and Club employees as part of VCOM’s partnership with the Punta Cana Foundation. They also train the community in basic disaster life support. Outreach Trips 2017-2018 In July 2017, a group from all three VCOM campuses including 30 second-year students and five physicians, based in the United States, traveled to the Dominican Republic for a one-week medical outreach trip. During

the week, the group was able to help over 500 patients by setting up temporary clinics in unserved communities. During this trip, the team was able to fill over 1,020 pharmaceutical prescriptions for members of the community. Medications that were not used during the trip were donated to the Verón Rural Clinic to help with the continuous care of local residents.

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