Meet our latest scholarship recipient.

Hi!

My name is Anita and I'm proud to be a recipient of One Nurse At a Time scholarship. I've been an active participating nurse for approximately 30 years at University of Maryland Medical Center. Of those years, 25 was spent in the neonatal intensive care nursery. I'm currently working in the pediatric post anesthesia recovery unit. I provide pre and post anesthesia nursing care for infants to 18 years  in a out patient and in patient setting. I have dedicated my entire nursing career to pediatrics. I received my Associate of Arts degree in nursing from Catonsville Community College. I have volunteered with my community church by providing meals for the homeless, gathering donated and packing of non-perishable items for families during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. It has always been a passion of minds to volunteer on an international level. Now that I have two adult children, I feel it's my time to fulfill that dream. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, going to the movies and dining out. I took  ballet in college and just decided to resume as a recreation . I'm looking forward to helping others around the world. I know they will give me far more than I could ever give them. Blessed for this opportunity.

First mission to Ecuador

As soon as my passport came in the mail... I couldn't wait to get on that plane!!   I will be forever grateful to the generosity of One Nurse At A Time, for helping to support my desire to give back to others and to provide medical care in a country that is in need of help.
   Shortly after arriving at the airport in Baltimore, I knew this was going to be quite an adventure.  I was the 'newbie' among the seasoned veterans..There were surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists, dentists and many other invaluable volunteers coming together for this medical mission to  Ecuador.  I had a lot to learn, but definitely felt up to the challenge! I was immediately accepted as one of their  own.
  As we arrived in Ecuador,  i still wasn't sure what to expect. Thank goodness I had my good friend, Deb Skovran with me, to show me the ropes...
  My job is in the Neonatal intensive care  unit at the university of Maryland medical center in Baltimore. However, my role on this mission was that of a PACU nurse!  We traveled with Ecuadent, a non profit out of Baltimore that treats over 2,000 children each year.
   43 surgical patients  came through the PACU doors in that Hospital in Salinas Ecuador... Ages ranging from 4 months to over 40 years old... cleft palate/fistula repairs, many patients with polydactyly/syndactyly, among many other surgeries ..
I realized that not only did we help the children through these surgeries,  we made a difference in the lives of the entire family. The gratitude from the parents  and patients alike, crossed all cultural and language barriers..
  One nurse At a Time made it possible for me to be a part of this incredible journey, I am very much looking forward to the next mission.
 ..before I went on this mission, a friend told me that this trip would change my life. That friend was right :)

Global Nursing Caucus Conference - UMass

Check out this interesting and informative conference being held at the University of Massachusetts, in Boston. 

Global Nursing Caucus has made it a mission to work at advancing the role of nursing in global health practice, education, and policy through advocacy,collaboration, engagement, and research. 

If you are interested please consider attending this two day conference where discussions will surround -

Nursing Education and Training Initiatives      

Skills for promoting health in resource constrained settings      

Partnerships and collaborations to advance health and the role of nursing 

Two keynote speakers, Toni Hays RN, PhD and Barbara Smith PhD, RN, FAAN will be engaging and empowering nurses in global health. Toni is the president of Regis College and has worked extensively on developing the Regis College Haiti Project. Barbara is a professor at the University of Maryland, School of Nursing. She has worked on many international nursing projects and research studies and is currently the principle investigator in a study Assessing Risk of Exposure to Blood Borne Pathogens among Health Care Workers in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

Registration Fees:

Attendee:  $150 after October 1

Student rate:   $75 after October 1

Please click HERE for the conference schedule

To register please click: REGISTER NOW

Scholarship Information:

A limited number of student scholarships are available.  To apply for a scholarship you must fulfill the following criteria:

            - Student actively enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate nursing or public health program, in good standing
            - Demonstrated interest in global health
            - Willing to volunteer and help at the conference
            - Have a professor send an email (from their school account) attesting you fulfill the above criteria. 

Please send an email to globalnursingcaucus@gmail.com with the subject line “Conference Scholarship Application”; include a short description of your interest in the GNC Conference.  Applications are due by October 10th, 2012.

Unique Opportunity - Dominican Republic

Foundation of International Medical Relief of Children (FIMRC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to improving pediatric and maternal health in developing countries. Their network of outpatient clinics and partnerships enable FIMR to assert a multidimensional strategy of services, extensive community outreach efforts and health education programs.
The program engages 700 individuals annually who volunteer their time abroad and make a contribution in exchange for the experience FIMRC provides. Over 90% of FIMRC's revenue is derived from their volunteer program. 
The program was founded in 2002, and is incorporated in Washington DC with its headquarters in Philadelphia, PA. The team includes over 3000 dedicated staff and volunteers worldwide who provide leadership and support necessary to achieve their mission of improving access to health care in under-served communities. 
Currently the program is establishing a project site in the Dominican Republic and has an amazing and unique opportunity for any nurses interested in community health. In the upcoming months, FIMRC will be conducting a meticulous community diagnostic and establishing the entire framework for the program. 

This opportunity is for nurses who may be interested in contributing to the overall health of a community in a way that is very "outside the clinic" states Meredith Mick, FIMRC CEO.

After visiting the website Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children, I found some very useful and FAQ's which may be helpful when determining if this project is something that is interesting to you. 

From the website, information can be obtained regarding housing, transportation costs and what FIMRC will provide. Mission trips with FIMRC generally are for longer periods which can be from one to three weeks and will accommodate longer-term placements if necessary. 

Also listed on the FAQ page was a 5 step process describing the steps necessary to initiate planing a medical trip:

1. Click the "Where We Work" tab to browse available locations.

2. Decide when you would like to travel. Spaces tend to fill up during peak seasons, so try and book 2 months in advance. 

3. Read all applicable sections of the Volunteer Program page.

4. Get in touch with the Officer of Volunteer Programs to discuss your options. Fill out the Inquiry Form and/or contact missions@firmc.org with the following details:

            Preferred volunteering location

            Preferred trip dates (please be specific)

            Length of Stay

5. Feel free to ask plenty of questions! And call if need by- 888-211-8575 Option 1.

Nurses who travel to their sites participate in the management of children with acute health issues as well as conduct well child visits and prenatal care. In addition to seeing the children in the clinics, health professionals can travel into the community to provide care as needed.  FIMRC relies on their volunteers to act as investigators and advise the foundation on areas for improvement, welcoming suggestions and comments when you return from your trip. 

We hope you find this information helpful and that there is a nurse out there who is willing to jump at this opportunity!  Remember we still have scholarships available to assist those who may need extra help with funding. 

Cheers-

ONAAT CREW

        

Multitude of Emotions- Honduras

Scholarship Recipient - Emily

I returned home from my trip to Honduras after just a week away filled with emotions. However, if I had to just choose one word to sum up the entire week I would say it was lovely. It is an experience that I will never forget and I hope that I have the opportunity to do over again. I met many wonderful Honduran and American people on my trip, I visited a beautiful village high in the mountains, learned about a new culture, experienced new foods, and enjoyed my time there immensely. Reflecting upon my experience, I can say that I felt a multitude of emotions that included, happiness, joy, peace, frustration, and exhaustion that all rolled into one amazing week.

I travelled to Monte Verde, Intibuca, Honduras with an amazing organization called MEDICO, Inc.  They provide medical, dental, and eye care to well deserving and needing communities of Honduras and Nicaragua.  Our trip was from April 14-21012 with a team composing of 23 people - There were 4 physicians (2 American and 2 Honduran), 4 nurses, 3 dentists, 2 dental hygienists, 5 volunteers/interpreters, and one Honduran pharmacist.  This was an easy team to get to know and work with, as they were all people who were there for one main reason – to help others. The best part was that all of their egos were checked – back in the U.S, despite the language and cultural differences, we all got along extremely well.  In addition to those volunteering with MEDICO, we also worked with the School Sisters of Notre Dame who provided us with food and housing during our visit.

Our clinic was set up in a building the Sisters owned, that included: a kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms/showers, big open area to see patients, and a room we transformed into a pharmacy.  797 patients were seen for medical services and 255 for dental services.  We served people in wide age group- from infants to geriatrics.  Close to 2500 medicines were distributed free of charge for a wide variety of reasons. Our first day was delayed due to severe travel delays. The roads were impassable and we arrived very late in the day which forced us to start seeing patient’s Monday morning. Our day would typically start at 8am and would end around 5pm, with time in between for lunch.  We saw patients until Thursday morning when we packed up and left the mountains to make our way back to San Pedro Sula.

My job was to dispense medications in the pharmacy the physicians had prescribed, give instructions and ensure that medications were taken properly. Luckily, I worked with a Honduran pharmacist, who was a wealth of information and two Honduran teenagers who were my interpreters. Often, I was able to help out and provide medical care by assisting with pap smears, IM injections and working in the triage area. During the week, a dentist, hygienist and physician drove out to a remote area to care for patients whose walk discouraged them from seeking medical care.

I once a heard a quote that says 'there are more differences between the sexes than there are between cultures' – I am unsure of who the author is, but I have found this true many times over, including in Honduras.  The people I met are similar Americans - they are hard-working and are doing the best they can with what they have.  In the village there was a main square and the surrounding area had a beautiful church, school buildings, a soccer field, vendors on the street selling food and clothing, a mill, a small general store, and many homes.  It appeared to be a very small, quaint town with absolutely amazing views.

I enjoyed everything!  I don't think I could pick what I enjoyed the most.  Even dealing with horrible roads, which took several more hours to drive on, was enjoyable because it's all a part of the overall experience, which I loved.  One of the highlights was working with the Honduran doctors.  They were lovely people and to experience their care and compassion for their people was inspiring.  It was quite evident they love what they do.  One pediatrician, Dr Paredes is recognized on an international level for the work he has done for children in need.  He is an excellent a role model not just for other physicians, but for everyone who should be doing more for their own country/people.  

I guess if I had to pick just one moment that was my favorite I guess it would have to be the impact this trip had on Andrea, our 14 year old interpreter.  Andrea has gone on other medical mission trips with MEDICO.  This time she met a little boy named Batilio, who was often around the clinic before and after school.  He was about 5 years old and didn't own a pair of shoes.  Andrea spent a lot of her time with him during our down times in the morning and evenings.  On our second to last day she bought him a pair of shoes with her own money.  When our group had its last dinner together in San Pedro Sula, Andrea mentioned how much Batilio changed her life.  I'm not sure of all the things they talked about, but to see this experience had a huge impact on this young girls life is unforgettable.  At such a young age, she could have spent this week of her life at the beach, with her friends, doing things most 14 year olds would be doing, instead she choose to spend her time working on her feet 8-9 hours a day and helping us and her own country.  To see her have this experience with the little boy is something I'm truly blessed to have been a part of.

One Nurse At A Time not only provided financial support which was greatly needed but I knew that they would be there if I ever needed anything.  If I just needed to talk to someone about my experience they would be there for me.  I think this mission trip, and others I have gone on, having greatly impacted my medical career.  For one, it has opened my eyes in seeing that working in a large teaching hospital will all the newest equipment is not the only way to provide excellent nursing care.  The setting in which you work is irrelevant.  Its how you treat the person you are taking care of that determines if you are providing excellent nursing care.  

I guess I've always known that I'm a simple person.  It doesn't take much to make me happy.  I don't need a lot of money, or a fancy car, or all the up-to-date technology, or even hot showers.  Life is about being kind, warm, compassionate, giving, and caring.  Going on trips like this one to Honduras, allows me to forget about my phone and emails and to focus on helping those in need.  I hope I was able to give as much as I received.

Emily returned home from Monte Verde, Honduras in April, 2012. She traveled with the medical team MEDICO from April 14^th-21^st, 2012.

2 ONAAT Scholarship Nurses Leave for Haiti and Honduras this Saturday!

Beth Langlais, MN, RN is traveling to Haiti with the organization Christian Medical Dental Association March 17 - 25. 
"I will be working with a team of 20-30 medical professionals in a free medical clinic set up at a school for 6 days. We will be providing medical, dental, physical therapy, medications, etc. to the Haitian people. I am very excited and nervous about this trip. It is my first real medical mission as a licensed, experienced nurse. I did spend ten weeks living in Costa Rica during nursing school, providing medical care the the people there. It was the best experience of my life.  While getting my Master's degree, I have learned a lot about the injustice, suffering, and lack of adequate medical care globally. I have become very passionate about these issues and want to do everything I can to change them. I am especially interested in improving the health of women and infants because this is my clinical area here. I can't wait to go into the field and give all I can to the Haitian people."

Robin Phillips, RN is traveling with the organization Friends of Barnabas to Plena Blanca, Honduras March 17-25.  
"I have the privilege of joining a Mountain Medical Mission Team to Honduras sponsored by the Friends of Barnabas Foundation (FOBF). As a team we will travel to selected villages to provide care. The village is notified in advance of the date, time, and services that will be offered. Our team is comprised of nurses, nursing students, oral surgeon, translators, and non-medical volunteers. We will set up stations to provide preventative and primary care.  Stations include anti-parasite, vitamin A, general medical, eye, dental and prayer.  This is my first medical mission trip. I graduated from nursing school in 2009 and entered into my second career. My desire to become a trained healthcare professional was a response to a very specific calling. I have longed to serve in this field as a trained professional, providing expert and compassionate care. My expectation is to serve the people of Honduras in addition to my team with a loving and tender heart. I am grateful that I have been prepared for this moment."

The members of One Nurse At A Time would like to send thoughts and prayers their way for safe travels.  We look forward to sharing their stories when they return home!