In March 2019, Aspen University’s Director of Clinical Simulation, Tammy Drewett — along with 5 Aspen University nursing students — traveled to Puerto Penasco, Mexico on a 6-day mission trip.
Tammy, Karlisa, Shelby, Aida, Hayley, and Katelyn* worked alongside physician assistant (PA) students from Boston to help serve a poverty-stricken area in rural Mexico. They toured the neighborhoods to talk to locals and invite them to free clinics.
The First Clinic
Before opening the clinic, they set up supplies and a pharmacy that covered many of the prescriptions physicians wrote. At the first clinic held in an old neighborhood church, the nursing and PA students worked together to assess patients and present cases to the physicians who then provide a plan of care. The team also spent time in the local health clinic completing assessments and administering immunizations to adults and children.
The Second Clinic
More than an hour outside of the city of Puerto Penasco in a rural farming community, the second clinic fulfilled a local pastor’s longtime dream. Many patients waited hours for a chance to talk to someone about their ailments. Aspen University donated field dressings, gloves, bandages to this rural farming community that they will be able to use in the future. Farmers gave the students vegetables from their garden as a thank you, and patients invited them into their home as a sign of their gratitude.
This trip was rewarding for Tammy and our Aspen students. International Service Learning (ILS) — who organized the medical mission — have been invited us to participate again in the future.
*Karlisa, Shelby, Aida, Hayley, and Katelyn are from our first Phoenix ground cohort who will graduate in 2020 with their BSN from Aspen University.
