UM-Flint Nursing Students Help Treat 500 People-Many from Haiti

University of Michigan-Flint student nurses recently carriedover 900 pounds of donated medical items for patients in the DominicanRepublic. The group was told that the clinics and hospitals where they volunteeredin the Dominican Republic were filled with Haitian earthquake victims. Becauseof the great need, the students asked for donations for orthopedic items.

The nurses traveled with a Medical Mission group to remote sugarcane villages to treat many needy people, including dozens of Haitians.

"Our statistics in the volume of people we serviced this yearwas astounding," said Professor Maureen Tippen who heads the trip. "We treated502 people in the clinic and performed 83 surgeries."

Tippen said besides working in the clinic, they were able tofacilitate building a basketball court in a nearby village.

"The people were so appreciative of even the smallest acts ofkindness," said Tippen. "It is truly a life changing experience."

For the past 15 years, thetrip to the Dominican Republic has been part of the International ServiceLearning courses of the nursing program. The students and group leaders saidthey were overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity, and wanted to thank allthose who donated.