Alternative Spring Break - International
Project Overview
The Alternative Spring Break Honduras Project is a week-long service adventure to the small town of Rigores in the northern region of Honduras. In 2009, the first year of the program, a dedicated group of 10 IUSM first and second year students and 5 health professionals served over 1000 local patients with a wide variety of conditions. Public health presentations, fluoride treatments, eyeglasses, and exceptional primary care were among the services provided by the team. A highlight of the trip was the identification of two young Honduran children with hydrocephalus, who were subsequently provided with corrective surgeries sponsored by the ASB project. The Alternative Spring Break trip helped Hoosier students become immersed in Honduran culture and practice clinical skills, while the physicians enjoyed this unique opportunity to continue their lifelong learning in an international setting. Overall, the 2009 trip was an outstanding success and has set the foundation for a flourishing relationship between the IU School of Medicine community and that of Rigores. The 2010 trip was a renounding success, with an increase in the number of student and physician participants. We hope to make the 2011 trip even more amazing than the last!
The 2011 Trip
The 2011 ASB medical brigade will take place from March 12-19, during spring break for the majority of IUSM campuses. Due to the success of the 2010 trip, plans are underway to expand the group of volunteers to up to 8 physicians and 15 students. In the tradition of IUSM, our focus is on quality of care rather than quantity of patients seen. In order to meet the needs of the surrounding communities of Rigores and Trujillo, while still providing excellent care to the patients of these areas, we are looking forward to improving our efforts in the years to come.
For Students
IUSM students are encouraged to take part in this opportunity to learn clinical skills, develop Spanish language proficiency, and continue their lifelong medical education while creating a lasting impact on the global community. There are several different responsibilities/opportunities that students will take part in while on the brigade specifically: patient care and one-on-one learning with a physician, helping conduct small public health presentations, assisting in a community-building project for the hospital of Trujillo, administering fluoride treatments, fitting patients with eyeglasses, helping fill prescriptions in the pharmacy, and registering patients in triage. Outside of the brigade, students can enjoy Honduran culture, food, and maybe even find some time to spend on the lovely and picturesque beach of Trujillo.
Both MSI and MSII students at participating campuses (scheduling conflicts may interfere) are invited to apply during the fall semester on the Angel website. Absolutely no Spanish language skills are required to take part in the trip, although students with such knowledge are especially encouraged to apply. With adequate group fundraising, as in 2009, students are only asked to pay for their personal airfare, estimated to be $800 round trip. Help with group fundraising is definitely appreciated.
For Faculty
Physicians with backgrounds in any field are encouraged to take part in the trip, and absolutely no Spanish language skills are required, since student or local interpreters will be available. Rigores and the surrounding villages comprise a very unique patient population; physicians can expect to see cases ranging from hydrocephalus to scabies to gastritis to diabetes. The ultimate objective of this medical mission is to provide excellent care to the people of Rigores, so quality of care is emphasized over the quantity of patients seen. Additionally, physicians will have time to instruct eager IUSM first and second year students in a very distinctive setting. Physicians will be asked to pay for their part of the trip. Further information on this past year's trip, including patient statistics, as well as answers to questions regarding the March 2011 trip, can be provided by our four co-chairs below.
Current Co-Chairs
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Emma Cordes (MS II) |
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Joshua Ring (MS II) jdring@iupui.edu |
Farheen Sultana (MS II) |
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