Thirteen nursing students and two nursing faculty members will put their skills to work March 7-13 during a visit to Montego Bay, Jamaica.
They will work in teams to provide health education and screenings in one of the island’s most impoverished areas. The group will work at a school, two orphanages, and a school for the deaf.
With help from a local church, faculty and students will also set up a clinic with help from a local church. The clinic will offer screenings and information on hypertension, cholesterol, diabetes management, self breast exams, oral hygiene, and tobacco awareness.
Additionally, the group plans to tour a hospital to learn more about health care in the country.
Senior nursing student Kelly Fuller will teach at least 300 children the importance of oral hygiene and hand washing. Upon graduation, she hopes to establish a career with an international health organization.
“I studied and volunteered in Peru for six months my sophomore year and would love to go back there as a nurse, to help the country that gave me so much. I hope when we arrive in Jamaica that we can really learn from the Montego Bay people and their health ideas, beliefs, and needs. I hope to better broaden my global perspective and culture awareness as well as my international health skills,” said Fuller.
Fuller said nursing students have been collecting donations from the community. They plan to take toiletries such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, and deodorant with them.
Members of the nursing department visited the same area in Jamaica three years ago. Students will receive course credit and are paying for the trip themselves.
For more information contact Dr. Lisa Muirhead at 423-425-4525 or Dr. Martina Harris at 423-425-4211.
