REFLECTIONS ON NICARAGUA
Caitlyn Cecil, MD
It wasn’ t until I was a senior in college that I decided to pursue a career in medicine. Undoubtedly influenced by my father who is a pediatrician in Paducah, I clearly recall the moment I had the realization …“ I think I could become a doctor.” As I encountered the unforeseen challenges of medical school, I second-guessed my decision repeatedly. Over the following months to years I started to envision myself in the shoes of my mentors. I feel fortunate now to have a solid foundation of medical knowledge that allows me the opportunity to lend a hand to those in need.
This past January, thanks to the GLMS Foundation, in partnership with Hand in Hand Ministries, I had the opportunity to provide medical care to underprivileged children in Managua, Nicaragua. Our primary mission in Managua was to provide care to the children( and their families) sponsored by the Pathway to Change program. Pathway to Change is a scholarship program started by Hand in Hand in 2006 that makes top-quality education available to bright children from families living in poverty. The program currently sponsors 85 children, providing tuition, uniforms, books and school supplies, along with transportation to and from school. Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere where only 40 percent of the children who start 1st grade will finish 4th grade. Pathway to Change is dedicated to overcoming the barriers that deny children living in poverty access to a good education.
It was truly a privilege to meet these bright children and families. On our first morning in Managua we had the opportunity to visit the homes of three of these families. Despite the crowded living conditions, limited access to running water and dusty dirt floors, the families were so incredibly grateful for what they had. It was a
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special experience to see parents standing with their child, so very proud and blessed, because their child has a future.
Each afternoon in Managua was spent at the San Francisco Clinic where we were met by busloads of children accompanied by their families, neighbors and friends. We addressed their health concerns and performed physical exams. This being the ninth year for the trip, many of the children had paper charts so we could monitor their growth and reassess the concerns from the previous year. We were able to obtain screening CBCs and urinalyses when indicated. We provided medication to prevent parasitic infections. In many cases, we offered reassurance and anticipatory guidance. Their genuine appreciation was heartwarming.
In addition to our clinical assignments, we had an opportunity to experience the Nicaraguan culture. We visited a local coffee farm and drank lots of Nicaraguan coffee. We explored the city of Granada, one of the oldest colonial cities in the Western Hemisphere. We bought handmade pottery from artisans in the village of San Juan de Oriente. And, we had the opportunity to visit local hospitals which illustrated the Nicaraguan standard of care, a stark contrast to the clinical conditions in our own country.
I am so grateful for my experiences during the 2016 Nicaraguan Medical Immersion Trip with Hand in Hand Ministries in support of their Pathway to Change program. This opportunity was made possible by the Greater Louisville Medical Society Foundation as part of the Foundation’ s Medical Missions Initiative. Not only did my perspectives on health care delivery deepen, but also my appreciation for my everyday life expanded. If you haven’ t yet ventured into the field of missionary medicine, I hope this article inspires you to go on that first trip. It was a truly unforgettable experience!
Caitlyn Cecil, MD, is a third year pediatrics resident at the University of Louisville Hospital.
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