Marymount Service Trip
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By: Michelle Maryfield and Christina Holl
This Spring, the Marymount third year class had the opportunity to travel to Latin America for a medical mission trip. The class was divided into two teams, travelling to Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
Nicaragua:
Twelve students had the opportunity to travel to Nicaragua for one week in our flagship year in the country. We were divided into two groups: those serving Humberto Alvarado Hospital and those serving Hogar San Antonio, a skilled nursing facility. The group assigned to Humberto Alvarado treated primarily orthopedic and pediatric patients in conjunction with the Nicaraguan therapists. In addition, they created exercise posters and donated a treatment table to the pediatric room. At Hogar San Antonio, students performed evaluations on the residents, organized group exercise classes, and made seat cushions for wheelchair users. Both groups were challenged to identify the needs of their location as well as educate the staff. Despite the challenges they face, the love and pride the people of Nicaragua have in their country is contagious. We are so thankful for the memories that we will take with us throughout our careers.
Costa Rica:
After the team for Nicaragua left, the three teams who remained in Costa Rica prepared for their first 
treatment day. The two teams working with Manos Abiertas began their first day with a presentation and orientation to the grounds, therapists, and the patients they would be treating. They were split up into three groups: One group would be traveling to Tres, and two remaining at Manos in Alajuela. Each team was asked to select a patient at the end of every treatment day to present upon the following week during a Grand Rounds presentation. The two teams at Manos treated mostly children with profound neurological deficits, contractures, and scoliotic curves. In addition to treatment sessions, the teams at Manos performed wheelchair fittings for the patients. The team at Tres Rios treated primarily adults with similar deficits and worked on educating the therapy team there on lymphedema management and taping techniques.
The final team in Costa Rica began their first treatment day at Santiago Crespo, an Adult Day Center, with Jody. The students here were thrown right in on day one practicing their Spanish, education, and motivation skills to get patients up and walking. Many people at this facility had not been walked in months. Not only did they treat patients, but they built a gym equipped with handmade weights and other equipment the residents could continue to use after they departed.
