FHSU UNIVERSITY RELATIONS AND MARKETING
HAYS, Kan. — Eight Fort Hays State University nursing students spent two weeks in June providing nursing care to residents of the area in and around San Jose de las Matas, Dominican Republic, for a “humbling, educational and life-changing adventure.”
During the mission trip, the students were able to assist in surgery, provide pre- and post-operative care, prepare medications in the make-shift pharmacy, and provide medication education to the clients.
“We did some pretty incredible things during the two weeks,” said one student.
Daily, the students would divide into two teams with four students attending clinics in various small villages around San Jose de las Matas. The other four students traveled to a vacated hospital to provide surgical suite care for patients at birth and beyond.
“I panicked at first, but I just went for it, and it ended up being amazing,” said another student.
Students who went on the medical mission trip are listed by hometown:
Hays: Arin Straub, senior.
Jackie Balzer, senior.
Molly Willhoft, senior.
Minneapolis: Riley Baker, senior.
Olathe: Abbie Gaylord, senior.
Pratt: Payton Hoeme, senior.
Taylor Ibarra, senior.
Weskan: Kelsey Hale, senior.