Our Mission:
The mission of Pitt Medical Brigades is to educate students about the disparities in healthcare in communities worldwide and the role of individuals to the world they inhabit. We hope to empower community members by assisting in bridging connections between local government, international and local physicians and student leaders in order to develop an economically sustainable and self-perpetuating system of healthcare. Three initiatives that have been implemented in order to reach the ultimate goal of long-term quality of life improvements are the establishment of mobile clinics, resident community health workers, and the initiation of a patient referral program with the aid of local specialists.
Our Focus:
Our current region of focus is in the southern region of Honduras, with much of our work taking place in the community of El Cantón. Global Brigades staff, local community members and Pitt Medical Brigades collaborate in order to implement education seminars, provide medication and quality medical care to community members, promote awareness of preventative health measures, and track the general health status trend of the overall community in order to ensure sustainability.
Our Approach:
Global Medical Brigades isn't about rescuing those less fortunate or imposing western medicine on locals. It isn't about fulfilling a savior-complex.
An integral piece of the holistic model, its aim is to address the disparity in communities in which access to healthcare is nearly impossible—either due to understaffed health clinics, geographical barriers, or financial burden. By collaborating with resident community health workers, international and local physicians, and student volunteers, access to healthcare is greatly improved through an economically sustainable model.
Brigade Logistics:
The Medical Brigade lasts 7 days in Honduras. Upon arrival in Honduras, Global Brigades staff pick up students from the airport and transport them to a safe and secure compound where they will stay for the entirety of the brigade. Each day, volunteers and staff travel alongside each other, to and from the communities to carry out projects.
Student activities include:
Cultural immersion day
Triaging patients
Vision examinations
Systematic organization of patient information
House calls
Dental + OBGYN assistance
Physician observation
Gathering prescriptions
Educating the community about dental hygiene and health habits
All supplies, translators, coordinators, in-country transportation and meals are provided during the brigade.
When is the next Medical Brigade?
TBA
Questions?
Feel free to contact us at [email protected].
Join the Team!
The Medical Chapter is a part of Pitt Global Brigades. Come to our meetings on Sundays to learn all about GB - sustainability, empowerment, holistic model – and have a lot of fun! Learn how the medical field is impacted by the rest of a person’s environment and become a fellow brigader. We would love to have you!
2016-2017 EXECUTIVE BOARD
LINDSEY MACLAYEDUCATION CHAIRSophomore
Biology major Medical brigades JASMINE AMAYASOCIAL ENGAGEMENT CHAIR |
ALISON CHILCOTTEDUCATION CHAIRMy name is Alison Chilcott and I am the co-education chair of the Medical Brigade. I am also trying to start a Women's Health Brigade with Mary Morcos. I am a sophomore from Cleveland Ohio, and I am studying Biology and French. I've (briefly) met Emma Watson.
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CRAIG DeHANISVISION CHAIR
Hi! I'm an Architectural studies major with a Neuroscience minor on the Pre-med track. I hope to attend medical school in the future and continue to expand GMB. One fact about me is that I love to travel!
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SAMANTHA PURDYSECRETARY |