COM Outlook Summer/Fall 2019

18 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE Once spring break rolls around, a rest from the rigors of medical school becomes many students’ ultimate objective. Rest, however, was the last thing 36 osteopathic medical students looked forward to as they embarked on the KPCOM’s international medical outreach trip to Ecuador in March to provide health care to 1,040 grateful patients. Nearly 1,800 miles away from home, the air was cooler than the South Florida breeze, Spanish was the primary language, and bottled water was the most sought-after commodity. Before beginning clinic days, the team members had an opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture and be tourists, exploring Quito and visiting historic churches and museums. By day two, however, the students were ready to provide basic medical attention to impoverished communities. Working collaboratively to enhance the educational experience were Darren Cohen, D.O.; Jacqueline Moljo, D.O.; Daniel Olsen, D.O.; Leonardo Cisneros, D.O.; Maria Bello, M.D.; Stephen Campbell, Ph.D.; Patrick Powell, Ed.D.; Grace Birmingham, R.N.; and Evelyn Martinez, KPCOM medical outreach program coordinator. Cisneros and Moljo were able to give back to their childhood communities, as they were both born and raised in Ecuador. “Going back to Ecuador and helping those individuals with whom I share roots proved to be a transforming experience,” Cisneros said. “Working alongside and teaching medical students, in addition to helping a group of people whose culture I under- stand so well, ironically proved to be more of a learning experience for me.” The participating students, physicians, and vol- unteers began their first of four clinic days in the rural town of Loreto. Students working in the triage area were the first to greet people and take their medical histories. Patients then waited to be seen by a team consisting of one physician and a hand- ful of students, who took a history of the chief com- plaint and performed a basic physical. Students then presented their case and suggested the appropriate treatment or care plan. Many patients worked on a farm and had moderate- to-severe hypertonic back muscles. Other common complaints were joint pain, leg pain, and headaches— mostly due to dehydration. Interestingly, students discovered that what is known as acetaminophen in this country, which was often given to those who had aches and pains, was called paracetamol in all other countries aside from the United States. Many patients also received osteopathic mani- pulative treatment (OMT) for their somatic dysfunc- tions. Seeing the patients’ immediate relief from hands-on manipulation left a remarkable feeling. What is considered as minimal treatment in the United States was received with significant gratitude from many patients. The team then traveled to a jungle town near Loreto, providing health care services in the pouring rain. Seeing children joyfully run in the rain with ripped BY FELICIA F. OURN STUDENTS TRADE SPRING BREAK FOR ECUADOR MEDICAL ADVENTURE INDELIBLE EXPERIENCE