For the fourth consecutive year the Leadership in Medicine for the Underserved / Vulnerable Program at Michigan State University sent 24 third and fourth year medical students to five different project sites to gain unique hands on training.  Assistant Dean Dr. Rae Schnuth, Associate Professor Dr. Harry Lenhart, and Assistant Professor Dr. Gina Chacon traveled down to Latin America to support students and gain exposure to FIMRC's approach to tackling global health issues in the tropics.  Highlights of the initiatives the medical students spearheaded include a cytology campaign at Project Las Delicias in El Salvador, patient intake and consultations at the La Promesa Mobile Clinic at Project Alajuelita in Costa Rica, and exposure to traditional medicine at Project Peru.  Accounts of the students' experiences in FIMRC's Comparative Healthcare Immersion Rotation Program (CHIRP) can be found on their blog.   

Claire Chavez, a third-year medical student in the Leadership in Medicine for the Underserved / Vulnerable Program, shared her experience in the February 2011 Saginaw E-Newsletter.  She said, "Each year LMUV embarks on an international rotation. This year, I was fortunate enough to be a part of that rotation. After two weeks of planning, I spent three weeks in Costa Rica. The next three weeks will be spent in Nicaragua. I embarked on the journey with very few expectations, but what I gained out of the experience far exceeded any expectation I could have possibly conceived of and extended far beyond the bounds of medicine. I developed a new appreciation for how universal medicine really is. Working with the doctor during patient visits, the fundamental H&P transcended the differences between our training, language, and culture."

Interested in participating in FIMRC's Comparative Healthcare Immersion Rotation Program (CHIRP)?  Please contact missions@fimrc.org.

Hope in the form of a capsule is on the way to thousands of women and children at FIMRC's project sites in India and Uganda thanks to the kind support of Vitamin Angels, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to reduce child mortality by connecting infants and children under five with vital nutrients.  FIMRC was awarded a micronutrient grant that includes vitamin A and multivitamins.  As demonstrated by the statistics below, the scope of the donations will be tremendous and FIMRC would like to recognize Vitamin Angels for their shared passion to impact lives.

- Project Kodaikanal, India: 500 capsules of vitamin A 200,000 IU (enough for 250 children 12-59 months)

- Project Bumwalukani, Uganda: 20,500 capsules of 100,000 IU vitamin A for children 6-11 months (enough for 20,500 children), 35,500 capsules of 200,000 IU vitamin A for children 12-59 months (enough for 17,750 children), & 1,425,600 doses of multivitamins for women (enough for 3,906 women)

FIMRC's Viviendas Saludables (Healthy Homes) Project in Peru continues to positively influence the mother leaders that have become involved.  Site staff gathered some feedback from participants representing different communities that paint a picture of the benefits gained through their involvement

Agallpampa is one of 10 districts of the Otuzco Province, shaded in red

in this project that raises the standard of health through

heightened hygiene, diversification of the diet, and trash management, all techniques taught by the mother leaders.

"I like the program because the houses are improving. They are better than before. Before there were health lessons but they did not know how to have healthy homes. They all said that yes, they are going to make the changes but the changes never came. We go to Agallpampa to hear the talks and come here to teach everyone else." Mother leader from Pueblo Libre

Mother leaders participating in a team building activity

"In my case, I am improving a lot. At least my children are getting better. They are teaching me how to raise guinea pigs and turkeys, and now we have meat and do not have to buy it. My kitchen is also improving because when you came before I was cooking in a different place. Before they (the community) critiqued us, saying we did not work, but not anymore. With the incentive of JUNTOS (partner organization) it is like capital, and with that we can grow something more and create something more for our children." Mother leader from Agallpampa

 "Now my house is cleaner and more organized, and it helps with studies and with health." Mother leader from Paraíso

Summer is quickly approaching and now is the time ambitious students interested in global health and community development are mapping out how they will gain experience in the field during their break from the classroom through internships.  George Washington University Alum Sophia Tripoli recently embarked on a five-month stint at Project Limón in Nicaragua.  Below she shares a window into her life as a FIMRC Ambassador.

"Living and working in Las Salinas has been a pretty remarkable experience after one month. A work week can consist of a variety of things; helping the highly reputable nurse of the Las Salinas clinic, Martita, organize statistics and information, doing clinical observation, or working on/organizing my HIV/AIDS education program with the community and school leaders. Other days involve heading to the communities in the mountains to bring medical supplies and set up general health consults with the clinic doctor and women's health consults with Martita. These trips are pretty cool and consist of a group of nurses, doctors, FIMRC staff, Global Health Volunteers, community leaders, and whoever else catches wind of the trip and wants to lend a hand.  All stakeholders jump into the back of a pick-up truck that follows the unpaved, rocky and dusty terrain, crossing several rivers, and finally arriving in the mountainous communities. This is accompanied by relaxing evenings with my host family where we eat gallo pinto, the freshest papaya I've ever tasted and talk about anything from the latest family drama to planning and organizing tomorrow's schedule for what needs to be done at the clinic and around the community."

Interested in becoming a FIMRC Ambassador?  Please visit us here. 

Dr. Jolly Ahluwalia, his wife Dr. Gurmeet Ahluwalia, and their two daughters, Shabani and Simran, spent

FOM Alex Kelly observes Dr. Ahluwalia busy at work

10 days at Project Las Delicias in El Salvador running a dental campaign.  On average the Ahluwalia family attended to over 30 patients a day.  Cleanings, fillings, and extractions were part of the services provided in addition to distributing toothbrushes and toothpaste.  Thanks to the Ahluwalia family's generosity and expertise, the children of Las Delicias are on their way to healthier smiles!

FIMRC would like to extend its gratitude to the Ahluwalia family for all of their hard work.