Lessons Learned

I signed up for this rotation thinking that it would be an amazing experience, and an AMAZING experience it was. It hard to put into words how much the rotation has meant to me and how much it will continue to mean to me in the future. I will always remember the times our group had with eachother on such a great island. Being on the island in general is an eye opener, but being able to participate in clinic days, days at schools, and helping with the house of hope gave me an even greater appreciation for the life we live here in the United States. We take so much for granted, it honestly blows my mind. It amazes me that people can stay so positive with far less than we have here. My goal while being back is to always cherish the relationships that I have and the relationships that I will form in the future. I need to continually tell myself that there are people in this world with far less physical possessions that are much happier because they have love in their life. If I always cherish the love in my life I should be set no matter what happens.
-Beth-

Lessons Learned

There are so many things that I have learned while doing this rotation in Dominica.  This rotation was such an amazing experience I am so grateful that I was able to experience it.  There are so many things that I have learned while doing this rotation. While in Dominica, I realized how much we take for granted in the US.  I think it's hard to really realize the extent of what we take for granted until you actually have the experience of seeing how little these people live with and yet how happy and grateful they are for what they have. I think that is what meant to the most to me is seeing how little these people have, how limited they are on basic medical supplies, and even in the schools how limited they are on basic things such as children's reading books, but yet are still so happy. I could not believe how caring everyone is to eachother and how eager they are to always help eachother out. There is always a friendly smile on all of their faces. While being back in the US, I have been more aware of my surroundings and have realized how much we stress over the little things and how busy we seem to be in our lives to not take the time to enjoy what we have. This rotation has taught me to enjoy and be grateful for everything that we have, to not sweat the small stuff, to enjoy the company of others, and also to take the time and help someone in need. The people in Dominica have taught me these valuable life lessons of helping others and to always be thankful for what we have that I will be sure to take with me forever and always cherish.
-Sara

Lessons Learned

It’s hard to pinpoint only one lesson learned from the vast experiences I’ve had while in Dominica.  This small country and its people have taught me many valuable lessons that I will never forget.  For starters, from the moment we stepped into the clinic for the first time I quickly realized how much we take for granted in the US.  We have nearly everything at our fingertips, while some people in Dominica go without basic necessities and medical care due to cost or unavailability.  We have adequate housing, clothing, medical care, and schooling among many other things yet still some of us Americans aren’t happy enough.  The people in Dominica have far less than we have in many aspects of life but oddly enough they are overall much happier people.  They trust and love one and other and will always go above and beyond to help a neighbor out.  From these interactions I’ve learned that the simple things in life are the most meaningful and money doesn’t mean much when it comes to happiness.  The people of Dominica may not have everything, but they surely do make the most of everything that comes their way.  I’ve also learned that you can still achieve your goals while leading a more relaxed and peaceful life.  We won’t stop achieving our goals if we give up our hurried and competitive lifestyle.  Since I’ve been back, my goal has been to stop worrying about the small stuff and I’ve quickly realized that when it comes down to it, it’s almost all small stuff!  When I find myself stressed and overwhelmed, I will do my best to think back to my experience and the lessons I’ve learned from the people of Dominica.

- Jess

Visit to Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) and last Roseau Trip

Dr. Abrons here again.  To round out our posts, I thought I'd update you on our most recent days.  We took a recent trip to Roseau to Princess Margaret Hospital or PMH.  Princess Margaret Hospital is one of the few hospitals on the island.  We got to spend time with Mr. Erol Thomas, who is the Chief Pharmacist for the Country of Dominica.  Mr. Thomas allowed us to visit both the inpatient and outpatient pharmacies.  Here, unlike in the rural health clinics, computers are used.  The difference from the US is that the computers use an access type program more for inventory purposes.  You do have the capability of searching by patient.  However, you don't get to view a patient profile and there are not interaction checks.  The hospital had access to a much larger supply of medications. There were even some medicationsthere that are currently on backorder in the US.  It was interesting to see where all of the medications were purchased from too.  For example, there were medications from Israel, from India, and largely from Canada.  In fact, we got asked at the hospital if we were Canadian.  The students and I helped prepare prescriptions, and counseled on prescriptions as well.  A great experience, and we were also able to make a connection with a Dominican anesthesiologist.

After the rotation day, we went and purchased a traditional Creole outfit.  I've been here now 3 years for Creole festival and each time make more and more friends.  I promised this year that I would dress in the celebratory attire. 

Then, the owners of Jungle Bay, Sam and Glenda, and I took the students to Creole in the Park.  This is a cultural festival that is sponsored by one of the local cellular phone companies - Lime.  I hope that the students say it provided added exposure to the culture of Dominicans.

Tomorrow, I'll have the students post on lessons that they'll take away from this experience.  I always realize many things about myself when I am here and try to make at least one change for the better.  Last year, I gave up drinking Diet Coke.  This year, I've promised Sam and Glenda that I will make more time to relax and exercise.  Each day that I've been here (with the exception of the last few since we've not been near Jungle Bay), I've started this task by walking the mountain, Paix Bouche.  "Paix Bouche" means "Keep Quiet" in Creole and is an apt name for this mountain: it's supposed to leave you so breathless from the climb that talking is not an option.

Safe and Sound In Dominica

The students are safe and sound in their cabins- enjoying a weekend day of relaxation before we return to the states.  Today, we have another significant experience - a tropical storm.  I thought I would post for those parents and loved ones in the US who may be worrying about us.  We are safe and sound right now at Jungle Bay.  We have good shelter, good company, and good food.  Although Tomas is now considered a Hurricane elsewhere in the carribean, it is currently only at Tropical Storm level in Dominica.  Right now reports are saying that it should pass overnight, and we should be on schedule to depart the island tomorrow at 3:45pm tomorrow.  We'll keep you posted and let you know if any changes in travel plans are made.  Safety first.

Best wishes to all-
Dr. Abrons

Painting the house of Hope

Hello everyone,

So today we got the opportunity to go back to the House of Hope which is a establishment set up to help take care of the mentally disabled. As you can see from the "before picture" there was not much to the walls, only plain white. So we decided to help out by making the place more lively! As you can see from the before and after pictures that there is quite a difference. This was a great way to end our trips to the House of Hope on this rotation, and hopefully future students would be able to continue our work.

- Tyler and Anthony

Health Benefits of Cinnamon

Cinnamon is one of the oldest known spices in the world.  It is either used or sold as sticks or ground into powder and used in many drinks and bakery products.  Other than being used as a culinary spice, cinnamon is thought to have many medicinal purposes.  It is an anti-oxidant that is known to have positive effects on blood sugar, indigestion, the common cold and many other things.  In Dominica we learned that cinnamon is used for abdominal pains, diarrhea, the common cold, and relieving nausea and vomiting. It was used by ancient practitioners, such as Dioscorides and Galen for sore throats and cough, while it was used for arthritis and inflammation in folk medicine.  Recent studies have shown that cinnamon does in fact lower blood sugar levels by up to 25% when taken in higher doses.  Studies have also shown a moderate decrease in cholesterol and triglyceride levels with increased cinnamon intake.  Although cinnamon has been granted the status of “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) by the FDA, substantial amounts of ground cinnamon can be unsafe due to the cinnameldehyde, which is the oily constituent that gives cinnamon its smell and flavor.

- Sara, Beth, and Jess