SFU students, faculty, staff and alumni traveled to the Bahamas and Guatemala from March 1-9 and provided medical services during the University’s weeklong Spring Break.
Nineteen Physician Assistant students and PA Program Medical Director Douglas Stern traveled to Jalapa, Guatemala.
Assistant Professor of Education Cassie Grassmyer, Clinical Assistant Professor of Social Work Morgan Daugherty and several Occupational Therapy Program alums accompanied 20 Education, Social Work and OT students to the Bahamas.
Both trips were facilitated through the HUGS (Helping the Underprivileged by Giving Our Service) nonprofit organization, which provides funding for students to gain medical fieldwork experience.
Under the supervision of licensed physician assistants, the PA students who visited Guatemala recorded patient histories, performed physical exams, determined diagnosis, and provided medications to patients who were dealing with various challenges, including hypertension, diabetes and parasites.
The PA students also administered injections, flushed ears to eliminate wax, and assisted patients in selecting appropriate eyeglasses that the group collected before the trip.
OT students, faculty and alums who traveled to the Bahamas worked with the Bahamas Association for the Physically Disabled (BAPD), the Stapleton School and the Bahamas Children’s Emergency Hostel.
At the BAPD, the OT group helped children strengthen their muscles through play. At the Stapleton School, the SFU volunteers assisted in the classroom by leading sensory integration, feeding therapy and educational activities.
Junior PA major Lex Speranzo said the most impactful moments took place when the SFU group interacted with children at the clinic.
“Most would come in, practically attached at their mom’s hip in fear,” she said. “You would offer them a toy that they’ve never seen before – something as simple as a car, slinky or even a sticker – and their entire mood would change.
“Then they would want to play with us with their new toys. Seeing their entire expression alter over things that we don’t think twice about is something I will never forget.”
Senior OT major Livi Metz also found joy in working with pediatric patients in the Bahamas.
“The most rewarding part was getting the kids out of their wheelchairs at the BAPD,” said Metz. “These kids spend the majority of their time in their wheelchairs and only get out on special occasions.
“Getting them out to stretch, strengthen and play was so rewarding.”
Speranzo and Metz both said the language barrier was a challenge, but they noted that their SFU coursework helped.
“The entire time I was interacting with patients, I was thinking about what I’d learned from Dr. Remillard’s Compassionate Caregiving class,” said Speranzo, a North Huntington, Pennsylvania native.
“I couldn’t speak to them to provide comfort when I was giving injections or taking vitals, but instead, I listened.
“I showed empathy and compassion through body language and motioning toward medical equipment and body parts on myself – such as my eyes, arms and fingers – to show them what I was going to do.”
Metz and her team members also encountered some communication challenges in Guatemala.
“There were some cultural differences, including have Spanish-speaking teachers from Cuba within English-speaking classrooms, so the broken English was another barrier that made learning even more difficult,” said Metz.
Speranzo said the trip broadened her perspective on global health and disparities in medical care.
“You hear about it, you see it online, but it’s an entirely different perspective when you see it for yourself and interact with those who live there,” she said.
“We saw many people diagnosed with chronic conditions, yet they were some of the happiest, most appreciative people I’ve ever interacted with. I am grateful that we were able to provide medical care to those who don’t have access to it.
“I wish we could have done more.”
