OPT Visionary - Winter/Spring 2015

PAGE 10 Student News—ORGANIZATIONS FCO AND NOSA PARTICIPATE IN JAMAICA MEDICAL OUTREACH TRIP FCO By Adesola Fadeyi (Class of 2017) First and foremost, the opportunity to go to Jamaica in June 2014 to do medical outreach work was life changing. Because we are a faith- based organization, we were able to not just meet the needs of those physically, but we were able to impact many spiritually. What we tend to see is that many people have physiological is- sues that annoy them, but they have spiritual, mental, and emotional issues and stresses that kill them. It was a blessing to serve the beautiful people of Jamaica in that way. On the first day, we met up at the mission house with our attending physicians Doug Mc- Cloy, O.D., and John Kung, M.D. The next three days we worked all day at the clinic administer- ing comprehensive eye exams and pterygium extractions. We were exhausted, but it was very rewarding because we knew we were helping people who never had eye exams or had even heard of an optometrist. Our last day in Jamaica was spent sightseeing, snorkeling, paddle boarding, cliff jumping, and enjoying dinner at the finest restaurant in Negril. We were very blessed by Jamaica as it was blessed by us. I think it sparked a drive in all of us to continue to do this type of work and con- tribute our time and talents. nOSA By jay harrelson (Class of 2016) and Caleb Saint jean (Class of 2016) The National Optometric Student As- sociation (NOSA) participated in the 2014 interdisciplinary medical outreach trip to Jamaica in June 2014, which pro- foundly impacted the lives and well- being of many Jamaican citizens. As part of a 150-member interprofessional team consisting of NSU programs such as osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, dental medicine, physical therapy, occu- pational therapy, and optometry, the group was able to see hundreds of pa- tients and provide health care for many of the underserved. The optometry team consisted of eight students and faculty members Sherrol A. Reynolds, O.D., FAAO, and Leon Nehmad, O.D., M.S.W., FAAO, as well as Noel Henry, O.D., P.A. Temporary clinics were set up at various under- served communities in the region of St. Mary. The optometry team provided eye care to nearly 400 individuals who needed glasses and visual health care for various potentially sight-threatening ocular conditions. As a student stated, “It was like having a year of clinic in one week.” One of the most rewarding as- pects was being able to provide a simple pair of glasses to allow the patients to see the world clearer. The trip served as an opportunity to practice skills like direct ophthalmoscopy and lens-rack retinoscopy and learn how to assess and treat disease. The stu- dents were exposed to a number of eye diseases, including glaucoma, diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy, and CRVO. They also witnessed conditions such as band keratopathy and traumatic 8-ball hyphema. Due to poor access to quality care, a large number of patients had vision loss from these conditions. The medical outreach trip was not all work, however, as there was time allotted for seeing some of the beautiful areas in Jamaica. The students went to Mystic Mountain, where the team zip lined, swam, and bobsledded through the hills of Jamaica. The trip was a very reward- ing experience and one that each team member looks forward to doing again. 1. Pictured (top row from left) are Vadim guy, O.D., Adesola Fadeyi, Daniel Miller, rachael Freeman, Cj hamilton, and Katie Komornick. Pictured (bottom row from left) are Catherine Bach, Shelly Lomax, rebecca hall, Brenda Castro, and heather gauguer. 2. (top row from left) Dr. Sherrol reynolds, janella Lutchman, nicole Ardura, jay harrelson, Caleb Saint jean, and Dr. Leon nehmad. (Middle row from left) Kaitlyn Kelley, naomi Clay, Angela Diamantakos, and Mary ellen teclaw. (Bottom row from left) Dr. noel henry, Melicia Puskas, LPn, Karen Boza, LDO, and Allison Boza. 1 2 Eye Site