MSU CHM Students Work and Study in San Jose, Costa Rica
In early March, nine third-year students from MSU College of Human Medicine Synergy Campus in Saginaw returned from San Jose, Costa Rica, where they spent six weeks as part of the international health component of their Leadership in Medicine for the Underserved/Vulnerable Program. These photos tell their story.
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Leaving Saginaw’s blustery weather behind, the nine MSU medical students arrive in sunny Costa Rica, January 19, where they are met by members of the Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children (FIMRC.org) for orientation to their home stay experience. The students are dispersed to their individual homes to be integrated within that family and culture.
The students spend their first week becoming immersed in the culture, learning about the health care system and the local population of Nicaraguan immigrants with a unique set of health care needs.
The clinic where the MSU medical students are working is in the San Felipe barrio of Alajuelita where they provide direct medical care, health education and community assessment for children and families who are in need of services. These students work with the medical director, Dr. Christian Elizondo, and a visiting Minnesota family physician, Dr. Nancy Struthers, for delivery of medical care within the clinic.
Costa Rican child awaits her appointment in the clinic waiting room
The MSU students see approximately 20 children per day at the clinic. In addition, the students make home visits with the faculty to assess living conditions and ways to increase the level of wellness throughout the community.
The students triage patients as they appear in the clinic initiating the medical record, getting chief complaints, taking preliminary vitals and begin the process of providing a safe, secure and caring environment in which the children and families are evaluated and treated.
During the afternoons students participate in developing health education programs for the children and families. This is frequently delivered at a nearby soup kitchen that is a vehicle to address the nutritional needs of the children. The students present the information in creative ways to capture the children’s interest while conveying positive health knowledge and behaviors.
