COM Outlook Winter 2020

30 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE Nineteen years and more than 80,000 patient encounters later, the Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteo- pathic Medicine (NSU-KPCOM) Jamaica medical outreach trips continue to service people in need in Kingston and St. Mary, Jamaica. The June 2019 trip offered health professionals and students a vital multidisciplinary opportunity to provide health care to a severely underserved population. The 119-member team, which handled more than 3,000 patient encounters, consisted of various NSU Health Professions Division faculty members and students from a range of programs, includ- ing osteopathic, allopathic, and dental medicine; nursing; occupa- tional and physical therapy; opt- ometry; and pharmacy. For the various health professions students who participated, the experience grants them the opportunity to work collaboratively and gain confidence and skills as they serve people in need. The tropical sunshine, lush green mountains, blue seas, and beautiful beaches can captivate visitors. For many of the medical students who participated in the trip, however, the experience was memorable for other reasons as well. “We met many families that were poor, but rich in their spirit and faith. We learned so much and helped so many,” said class of 2022 KPCOM student Sri Moturu. “It was the greatest reminder of why I wanted to become a doctor in the first place. I was able to apply the medical knowledge I learned during my first year and collaborate with other health care professionals and peers to treat patients. It also allowed me to see the importance of interprofessional teamwork within the health care profession, and how patients will have better outcomes because of it.” According to second-year KPCOM student Brittany McCord, “The Jamaica trip was such an unforgettable experience. I was a little nervous at first about exam- ining patients without an attend- ing physician looking over my shoulder, but after a few days, I really became comfortable diag- nosing and treating patients. I saw various medical conditions and learned how to provide medical care in a resource-limited setting,” she explained. Additionally, McCord appreci- ated the opportunity to utilize her osteopathic manipulative treat- ment (OMT) skills and diagnostic talents in an environment where they were so desperately needed. “It was an incredible feeling to immediately alleviate my patient’s pain through the use of OMT,” she added. “I was also able to counsel and educate my patients on their medical conditions, life- style modifications, and medi- cations to improve their health status. It was very rewarding to use what I have been taught in my didactic year and apply it to a unique patient-care setting.” One of the most rewarding aspects of the Jamaica Medical Outreach Program is that it posi- tively impacts the people served, while also enhancing the educa- tion of the students providing the service. It is a win-win situation for everyone involved. o Paula Anderson-Worts is the assistant dean of faculty and alumni affairs. Medical Outreach in Jamaica Assists Thousands Caribbean Care BY PAULA ANDERSON-WORTS, D.O., M.P.H.