Albuquerque Area Indian Health Service

A collaborative agreement has been made between the Albuquerque Indian Health Service and WellSpan York Hospital as well as WellSpan Good Sam.  Zuni Pueblo is one of the oldest inhabited Native American Villages in the US, estimated to be 800-900 years old.  It is high desert, located 2 1/2 hours from Albuquerque.  The Zuni Comprehensive Community Health Center is a Public Health Service hospital that provides care to the Zunis, Navajos, and others living in the surrounding area. This rotation will provide you with an opportunity to work in a variety of settings, including outpatient clinics, the emergency room, walk-in clinics, inpatient, and obstetrics.  This is a 3-4 week rotation that can be scheduled based on availability at the health center.

Contact: Dr. Nagib at nnagib@wellspan.org 

Ghana

The Apam, Ghana trip has occurred annually since 2006 to a small fishing village in the gold coast of Africa. The trip started in Aldersgate Methodist Church, and Building Solid Foundations 501c was then established by Dr. Seth Quartey and his wife, Grace Quartey. This trip has very personal connections, as both are from Ghana. Members of the team work in Apam Catholic Hospital for medical and surgical clinic with nurses going out into the community for screening clinics. Most common surgeries are hysterectomy for fibroids, thyroidectomy for goiters and hernia repairs. It is a very busy surgery schedule with up to 200 cases per trip. All surgery cases are prescreened, and team members only see patients to be sure they are in agreement. The vast majority of the time is operating. The medical team cares for hypertensions, diabetes, asthma and many infectious diseases including malaria, which is endemic in the area, tetnus and typhoid. Water borne disease is still a major killer in the area. In addition to the health care team, there is a non-medical team. There has been a close connection between Rotary Club of York and Apam Rotary Club, and they are putting toilets in schools, as sanitation is a major health risk. 

The next trip is Nov 3 - 17, 2023

Contact: Hollie Walkley, hollie.walkley@gmail.com or 717-916-2287

Mauritania

This trip is organized by Dr. Amanda Beattie and Dr. Tiru along with the York County Medical Foundation.  Dr. Beattie directs a hospital in Chinguetti, Mauritania. The goal of this experience is to provide chronic care, surgical care, and an education to Dr. Beattie's hospital staff.  In January of 2022, laparascopic equipment was taken to Chinguetti and used to perform the first laparscopic surgery at Dr. Beattie's hospital.

The next trip is tentatively scheduled for January or February of 2024.

Contact: Dr. Nancy Nagib, nnagib@wellspan.org.

Guatemala

Servants a local nonprofit organization in Red Lion, PA that is sponsoring short-term meidcal service trips to Guatemala. Servants will partner with Fraternidad Cristiana de Guatemala Church (Frater) in Guatemala City.  The team will travel to a remote village that has invited them to set-up a clinic.  You will be involved in the clinic set-up which is typically in a school building. The team will be working alongside Guatemalan physicians as you see a variety of patients.  In assisting the Guatemalan team with their medical outreaches it increases their effectiveness, enabling them to purchase more medicine and see more patients. We also assist in educating the children in Guatemala about food, cleanliness, dental care, and self-care.

The next trip is scheduled for October 5-9, 2023.

Contact: Dr. Nancy Nagib, nnagib@wellspan.org.

Kurdistan

 Living Word Community Church has been sponsoring short-term medical service trips to Kurdistan since 2021. Their primary work is to operate a primary health care medical clinic in the Ashti IDP (internally displaced people) camp located near Sulaymeniah, Iraq.  In the clinic the medical team will treat a variety of conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and gyn problems. The team leaders are building relationships with three local hospitals to provide continuity of care as well as public health education and training.

The next trip is scheduled for September 14-23, 2023 with plans to go in April and September of 2024.

Contact: Brian Newman, bnewman@lwccyork.com or 717-755-0089