Billikens In Belize Find Joy in Volunteering at Pro-Bono Clinic

Billikens In Belize Find Joy in Volunteering at Pro-Bono Clinic 
By Carol Beckel, PT, PhD, Director of Clinical Education

Returning to Belize is like returning to a 2nd home for me. This trip marked 10 years since the first time I traveled to Punta Gorda, Belize. It was a joy to recall memories with the staff and volunteers at Hillside Health Care International (HHCI). The changes in Punta Gorda and at HHCI over the past 10 years are amazing. 

Carol driving one of the HHCI vehicles back from a mobile clinic in Aguacate

Any trip back to HHCI that includes working with SLU PT students is extra special. This year I worked with two students in their 3rd Professional Year, Bailey Flynn and Jessica Dworak. Any day in the clinic watching students connecting with students and evolving as physical therapists is a great day. Bailey and Jess jumped into their roles at the clinic during the two weeks I worked with them. That included participating in a radio broadcast promoting the physical therapy program at HHCI.

Bailey and Jess during a commercial break on 100.9 Sunshine Radio

I also enjoyed participating in First Friday Fitness class sponsored by HHCI and provided by the PT students. This activity is part of the community-based rehabilitation program at HHCI to assist in advancing wellness and disability awareness beyond direct patient care. Jess and Bailey selected the education component and designed the fitness portion for the participants.

Bailey and Jess leading the educational component of First Friday Fitness

It is always hard to leave students during their clinical experience but I know I they are in good hands under the supervision of the rehab directors and the wonderful HHCI rehab tech.

Carol and Amira, HHCI Rehab Tech

It is a personal and professional joy to continue to partnering HHCI. I encourage any physical therapist to consider volunteering with HHCI. For more information on HHCI check out their website at hillsidebelize.org.

SLU PT Student Discovers Opportunities Through Collaborative Health Care in Jamaica

Service Trip Spotlight - Jamaica
by Bailey Flynn (DPT Class of 2019)

Over the summer, I had the opportunity to spend ten days in Jamaica participating in an intensive physical therapy camp benefiting individuals who had recently suffered from strokes. I was paired with another PT student from a different university and together we created and implemented an individualized treatment plan for our patient in collaboration with experienced clinicians. Treatment days consisted of various stations focusing on improving proprioception, gait, and strength along with some group activities and home visits. I got to practice my clinical reasoning and other skills I had learned in my PY1 year, in addition to learning techniques or other interventions that I had not previously been exposed to.

This experience, though, did not come without its challenges. There were points during the week where I doubted my abilities to really make an impact, as I was the least experienced student since others were at least PY2s. However, through collaborative efforts and conversations with both other students and clinicians, I was able to quiet those doubts and focus on what I could contribute which ended up being more than I thought. Regardless of experience level, students or clinicians all have different perspectives to bring to the table, which when shared ultimately leads to better patient care.

The most rewarding part of this experience was seeing the progression of our patient. After just a week and a half, these improvements in not only our patient but also all the patients attending the camp were incredible, and I feel fortunate to have shared in that experience. I would 100% recommend that other PT students go on an international clinical experience. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and gave me the opportunity to rise to new challenges while getting to collaborate with students and clinicians from all over the country. I hope you all have the chance to take part in some kind of international experience because I know my own experience in Jamaica changed the way I look at my future in physical therapy, and it might just change how you, too, see your role in this world.

To learn more about the stroke camp, visit their website: http://www.friendsoftheredeemer.org/

This is one of a series of posts by the Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy students who have participated in service trips. Service is an integral part of the Saint Louis University experience. SLU  is currently #4 on Washington Monthly’s list of universities who participate most in community service. To learn more about service at SLU, visit the Center for Service and Community Engagement website at www.slu.edu/service.