Monday, June 5, 2017

LUCOM Medical Outreach prepares for fifth Guatemala Trip

Mon, 05 Jun 2017Asa Keimig | LUCOM-Marketing

Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM) – Office of Medical Outreach and International Medicine is preparing to return to Guatemala later this month. This will be the fifth international medical outreach trip in partnership with nonprofit organization Hope of Life International (HOLI).

LUCOM recently completed its fourth trip this past March with Liberty University School of Nursing (LUSON) and invited guests Watts of Love and Virginia Military Institute (VMI). HOLI hosted the group and provided logistical support. “The significance for students and faculty to go to Guatemala multiple times a year creates a relationship with several key players in the area so that continuity of care and patient safety are not sacrificed,” said James Cook, director of Medical Outreach and International Medicine. “It also reminds the students of their desire to serve while learning from our best mentors.”

LUCOM student-doctors and LUSON student-nurses provided general medicine and pediatric care to the small rural villages of Pueblo del Rio and Santa Rosalía de Marmol; Aldea Causelife, a village located within the compound of HOLI; and spent time at Kelly’s House, a home for special needs children. “Our expectations are to provide an environment of medical missions for students to enjoy, experience, and develop life-long relationship,” said Cook. The group also visited the campus of El Centro Universitario de Oriente (CUNORI) for a one-day symposium on viruses and proper techniques on splinting infants born with disabilities. Read more about this trip in the latest issue of the Liberty Journal.

The trip to Guatemala this past March included 13 student-doctors from the class of 2019; when LUCOM embarks on their fifth trip in June, the trip will have over 60 student-doctors.

View the Facebook online image galleries from the March trip.