Hardin-Simmons Physician Assistant program spends 7 days in Dominican Republic

(ABILENE, Texas)–The Master of Physician Studies program was introduced to Hardin-Simmons two years ago with the intent of providing compassionate and professional healthcare to rural and under-served communities worldwide. This proves to be in effect today, as a team comprised of 20 physician assistant students, nine non-medical staff, and 10 medical professionals have recently returned from a mission trip in the Dominican Republic.

HSU began preparing for the student-lead mission trip as early as Fall 2018, with meetings held each month to communicate the Dominican Republic community would need. Each student utilized their specific talents by organizing bake sales, researching the medical needs of the community, and collaborating with other team members to collect donations, medications, hygiene, and educational supplies. The team was able to bring 40 suitcases, each weighing 49lbs, of medical and hygiene donations. The group collaborated with Global Samaritan, who aided in collecting various donations, fundraising, and receiving more than 18 cases of glasses from family members, the Lion’s Club, and Berkley Eye Center. Because of their hard work, cooperation, and determination, no student had to pay full price for the mission trip.

PA students work to diagnose a Dominican Republic woman.

Immediately after the plane landed in the Dominican Republic, the group hopped on a yellow school bus and rode two hours to their lodging. During this time, students were able to take in and admire the culture of the new world surrounding them; the different behaviors, weather, plants, people, and more. No amount of research could have given these students the same experiences, like witnessing ranch hands working so hard they avoid looking up as cars travel past them.

The Hardin-Simmons’ Physician Assistant team aimed to work alongside the Good Samaritan Hospital of the Dominican Republic, providing quality health care services and education to the underserved population of La Ramona. Each day began with students packing up what would be an entire pharmacy, deworming station, hygiene station, 6 physician rooms, one women’s exam room, education materials, and a triage station. Also included was a glasses station with glasses available for people to take home the same day, along with a dentist’s station, where several teeth had to be removed to prevent further health damage.

At the triage station, information was taken regarding the patient’s needs for being seen. Vitals were then taken and the patients were directed to the station appropriate to their needs. The donated medicine was located at the pharmacy station, run by students with a Registered Nurse overseeing them. The students were able to distribute medication as the PA or doctor ordered. Also located within the pharmacy station was a lab where just about any test could be run, such as a urine or strep test.

After attending the pharmacy station, each patient was offered deworming medication, which no one turned down. Following deworming was an education station where two options were available: a session about women’s health available where women could ask questions and receive the knowledge about feminine hygiene that is not talked about in that area, and a second option held in the triage about diabetes, blood pressure, safe water, and sunscreen. After patients received their medications from the pharmacy, glasses were then offered, as roughly 80% of the patients requested to be tested for glasses. The hygiene station was the most popular station. With products Americans use on an everyday basis such as shampoo, deodorant, and toothpaste, the station brought joy to the local populations. Christmas-like smiles were shown on the faces of several children after receiving a toothbrush and toothpaste.

PA students work together to transport medical materials.

Serving in the Dominican Republic was a chance for the students to gain some cultural perspective, as well as receive hands-on physician experience. Some things can be learned in the classroom, such as taking blood pressure, but during a mission trip, common occurrences for patients vary, such as parasites in the intestines. This is not a common issue in America, but is very common in areas such as La Ramona. Students were working alongside trained professionals during this mission, but were able to diagnose patients one after another in an environment out of their element. When arriving back from the trip, many students stated they felt as though they have a head start on their clinical rotations because of the abundant hands-on experience in La Ramona.

The members of the Physician Assistant program would like to thank everyone who participated in contributing to their mission trip. All prayers, donations, and hard work throughout this time was not overlooked. Faculty and staff at HSU have been very supportive, along with the HSU Alumni Office who made the website for donations.

Plans for the 2020 trip are already being made, but it is not to late to sign up. These trips are not only limited to Physician Assistants. If interested in participating in the next trip, contact Bonnie Powell at 325-670-1702 or at bpowell@hsutx.edu.