Nursing Students and Faculty Travel to Guatemala
February 20, 2006
UT Tyler nursing students and faculty are participating Feb 18 – 26 in a medical mission trip to San Raymundo, Guatemala sponsored by Refuge International.
During their weeklong stay, they will operate a temporary hospital, which includes doctor consult rooms, lab facilities, a pharmacy, an operating room and a chapel, and serve around 1,000 Guatemalans who live without healthcare.
The students have also collected hygiene items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap and washcloths to assist in healthcare education.
“The exposure to a different culture and healthcare system has a profound impact on everyone who participates,” said Dr. Gayle Varnell, associate professor nursing. “It also fits nicely with our global health initiative. This is a second trip for some faculty and students, and they can’t wait to return.”
Refuge International was founded by Deborah Bell, former UT Tyler nurse practitioner student and faculty member, and designed to focus on healthcare in Guatemala.
Photo: Pictured L to R: (front) Ericka Fabian, Allison Green, Pamela Smith, Hope Speed and Gabriela Salinas; (back) Dr. Gayle Varnell, associate professor of nursing; Cheryl Cooper, assistant professor of health and kinesiology; Dr. Susan Yarbrough, associate professor of nursing; and Dr. Barbara Haas, associate professor of nursing. Not pictured: Dr. Debbie Mahoney, associate professor of clinical nursing; and Janet Seliga and Kim Britton who are both UT Tyler graduate family nurse practitioner students.
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