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. 

Contact: Dr. Scott Williams swilliams7@wellspan.org or Dr. Seth Quartey  squartey@wellspan.org

The next trip is Oct 15-29, 2022

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.

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

The next trip is tentatively scheduled for January or February of 2023.

Guatemala

A variety of leaders/ organizations locally have sponsored trips to Guatemala.  These are 5 day trips during which a clinic is run for 2 days.  You will be working along side Guatemalan physicians.  

The next trip is scheduled for May 18-22, 2023.

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

Honduras

Healthy Ninos Honduras focuses on the educational, health, and nutritional needs of Honduran children.  THis organization emerged from teh work of the MAMA Project, which began in 1987 as a partnership between women's groups in Pennsylvania and Honduras.  Healthy Ninos focuses on helping children with malnutrition and their families.  Child Survival Programs include the Nutrition Center, deworming programs, medical & construction brigades, & community education.  You can read more about their work at www.HealthyNinos.org