Please Donate Supplies for our Community Health International Clinical Experiences in Panama

The College of Nursing at the University of South Florida is preparing for our Community Health International Clinical Experiences in Panama, Central America for nursing students. This program has been very successful in allowing College of Nursing students and faculty to gain first-hand experience in dealing with global health issues with various populations in Panama. Now in its 6th year, the program has expanded focus to include rural villages and indigenous communities in several regions throughout Panama.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! First Shipment leaves APRIL 20, 2011!

Please check your home, or when you are shopping – review the attached list and bring in the supplies that our students and faculty can use during this international experience. A table is set up in the Nursing Gathering Space near the big screen (please place your donations under the table; boxes will be rotated out as they fill).

In the past, taking much needed supplies into Panama was cost prohibitive. Today, USF College of Nursing faculty and students are Official Volunteers of the American Red Cross. This collaboration allows us to collect and purchase the medical and daily supplies so needed to improve the health of the people in Panama, and the American Red Cross will transport them at no cost. This will make the Community Health experiences much more meaningful both to our students and the people seen at rural sites in Panama.

Clinics in places like Alto Caballero are understaffed and under supplied to serve the needs of its people. The health care received from USF nursing students as part of this program is often the only attention some of the individuals will get all year. Our students learn to face many situations, conditions, and illnesses that they would not see here in the United States. Many students are struck by the basic lack of daily care and medical supplies that most Americans take for granted in our everyday lives.

“Today we went to the clinic in Alto Caballero and were able to help with so much. Two of us worked in the E. R. where we inserted IVs, gave injections, and oral medications. The room next to the E.R. was the women’s health room where they performed pap smears. In another room they were giving antibiotics to children and in another room the doctor was consulting with pregnant women. Today’s experience was incredible. Working in an environment where you reused alcohol wipes, gloves, etc. and didn’t follow all the specific health regulations we have in the U.S. was difficult at times, but at the same time it was amazing to see how other cultures work and function. The patients we treated were not well off and it was very difficult at times to help them and their children, knowing that this may be the only healthcare they get this year. Today’s experience was great and will stay with me for the rest of my life.”

~Hannah Pettersson, USF Nursing Student

Monetary Donations will be accepted via the Faculty Staff Campaign (fund: 270090)