Supported by the Natural Sciences and Mathematics Department, the Summer Studies in Medical Missions fulfills the Global Prospective Trip requirements for all who participate. Summer Studies in Medical Missions has been offered for the last 25+ years and has evolved from a small group of faculty, students, and medical professionals traveling to different locations throughout Central America to two large groups traveling to Guatemala and Honduras. In preparation for the trip, students take courses in Parasitology or Pharmacology and International Health. These courses provide information that is helpful when working with physicians and patients or when working in the clinic pharmacy and are applicable as electives toward Pre-professional and most other science degrees.
During these trips, students are given the opportunity to observe and work with medical professionals from a variety of fields, which may include dentistry, pediatrics, general practice, internal medicine, and ophthalmology. Students work with both professionals from the United States and from the respective country they are visiting, and are given the opportunity to interact with and be involved in the treatment of patients, e.g. filling prescriptions, cleaning/pulling teeth, debriding wounds, and applying bandages. The Summer of Studies in Medical Missions is meant to immerse students in the world of medicine and encourage stepping out of their comfort zone to reach others for Christ both during the trip, and in the future when they have attained their final degree in whatever area of medicine they are pursuing. Many students who participate find that the study is a life-changing experience that broadens their understanding of the world, gives them an active participation in medical treatment processes, and exposes them to professional-patient interaction.
