Global Medicine at RVU: Student Experiences

Written by Catherine Lewis Saenz, Communications Coordinator

“[Having] the opportunity to practice medicine in such a beautiful place – with views of Mt. Kilimanjaro and amazing animals – on our drive to work was one of the most incredible things for me. I felt so deeply rooted in the Earth and lucky that I was able to see a small slice of its beauty with my own eyes. It was truly breathtaking and made me want to do my best to protect [the] beauty that is left on this planet.” – Anna Buck, OMS III

While in Kenya, Macarena Basanes, OMS III, found herself with a patient suffering from a suspected cranial injury, which had been caused by a cow kicking the young boy in the face, and there were little-to-no resources to treat him. “[We] did all we could—started an IV and treated his pain—[but we] then had to tie this tiny, suffering child to his father onto a motorbike to travel 70 kilometers to the nearest hospital in Tanzania. I still have not heard any news, but I [hope] that we were able to save [his] life.” As for herself, SD Basanes learned that she is “good under extreme pressure. I was able to think critically, act fast, and give the best medical care I was capable of at the time.”

“I am extremely happy that I did this trip and I will never forget the people I met, the connections that were made, and the memories that were created. This has definitely inspired me to go into global work in the future and [to be] a part of something that is more sustainable and serving for a community.” – Dustin Nguyen, OMS III

For Alexandra Moody, OMS III, it was difficult to pick just one experience, but if she had to choose, one of the most memorable was her time spent in the remote Orbilli Camp. “While at Orbilli, I felt more immersed in the Maasai culture and land than I had already felt. [Our] host, Pastor Daniel, and other leaders of the village made us feel welcome.” The leaders of the village arranged a safari and showed SD Moody and fellow classmates their Boma (a Maasai homestead) and cows. “We played instruments around the campfire and shared African and American songs,” she added.

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