I will be collaborating with medical mission teams in La Romana, Dominican Republic, through partnerships with local churches and Rotary International and fellow attendings and residents from University of South Alabama. Our focus is on delivering essential medical care to the sugar cane workers and their families living in bateys (sugar cane villages) in eastern DR. These communities have historically lacked access to quality healthcare. Our efforts will support existing infrastructure, including the Hospital General el Buen Samaritano, which serves as a referral center for specialized care. The project will involve providing basic medical care, distributing acute and chronic medications, offering de-worming treatments, and supplying hygiene kits and menstrual products for female prisoners. By expanding our outreach to city barrios, jails, and federal prisons, we aim to address critical health needs and support ongoing medical missions.
The project will benefit underserved populations in the Dominican Republic, particularly Haitians living in bateys and individuals in jails (preventivas) and government prisons. Historically, Haitians have faced significant exclusion from Dominican society and essential services, including healthcare. This population has minimal access to medical care, and our outreach will address health inequities and help bridge the gap in healthcare access.
The project aims to address health inequities and enhance access to medical care for marginalized populations. Through this experience, I will gain valuable insights into practicing clinical medicine in low-resource settings, which I can apply in the United States and other global contexts. Working within a diverse, cross-cultural team of healthcare professionals will enrich my skills and knowledge, allowing me to integrate these learnings into my future practice and contribute to improving healthcare delivery in various settings.
