This summer, students and faculty from Belmont’s College of Pharmacy traveled to Honduras for a 10-day medical mission trip to serve rural areas where health care access is limited. Trip participants included Assistant Professor Tavajay Campbell, PharmD; University Provost David Gregory, PharmD; students Shima Daryan and Jasmine Assadolahzadeh; and mission partner Mission of Harmony.
Located in Central America, 83 percent of the 10.6 million people in Honduras are without health insurance. With less than 1 physician per 1,000 people and a staggering infant mortality rate, the nation suffers from significant gaps in its health care system. Throughout five days of clinic, the team saw nearly 1,000 patients providing medical, pharmaceutical, eye and dental care.
“I was truly overwhelmed with a sense of empathy and compassion for the people of Honduras, who had traveled long distances, especially from challenging circumstances, to be seen by us,” said student Shima Daryan. “Being able to have firsthand encounters with patients and being able to personally help them was truly gratifying. I was excited to be able to use the knowledge gained during pharmacy school and applying it to actual patients. I was able to learn a lot on this mission trip, clinically and emotionally.”
In addition to treating patients, the team was able to sight-see and participate in a few excursions including the San Cristóbal Fortress, Copán Ruins, Danilo’s Leather Factory, Gaumilito Market and attending a service at a local church.
“As we made our way in the small sanctuary, we were greeted with smiles, handshakes, and warm welcomes of "dios lo bendiga," which means "God bless you,’” said Dr. Campbell, reflecting on their time worshipping at a local church. “The desire to connect was obvious from the moment we walked in, but so too was the feeling of being limited in our ability to do so because of our language barrier… In that room, the language of worship was universal. I do not take for granted what being able to communicate in the same language can do for connecting people, but I am grateful that we were able to connect in alternative ways in worship that evening.”