FORT LAUDERDALE – On Wednesday, June 11, Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-COM) sent over 130 volunteers to rural areas of Jamaica to participate in a 10-day humanitarian effort to provide health care services to the community.
The volunteer medical group comprises 42 practitioners and 90 students in the fields of osteopathic medicine, dentistry, occupational therapy, public health, pharmacy, optometry, and physical therapy. Since its inception eight years ago, the college’s annual Medical Mission to Jamaica has allowed the participants to develop relationships with community residents and compile medical histories on the patients.
“We are prepared to treat a variety of medical conditions while visiting two areas of Jamaica,” said Paula Anderson-Worts, D.O., associate professor of family medicine at NSU-COM who coordinates the college’s medical missions to Jamaica and serves as director of the family practice residency at Broward General Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale. “Over the past eight years, we have had the unique opportunity to provide a variety of health care services to these communities and have seen some worthwhile outcomes in the area due to our efforts.”
During the medical outreach endeavor, the participants will first visit the capital of Jamaica—Kingston—and spend the remainder of the trip visiting St. Mary, which is one of Jamaica’s smallest parishes. In total, they expect to see approximately 3,500 patients. Because the humanitarian excursion is volunteer-based, the participants are responsible for all incurred expenses, including airfare, food, and lodging.
“I went on the Jamaica mission when I was a student and am thrilled to be returning to work with these warm and welcoming communities of people,” said Joanna Drowos, D.O., who is currently completing her family medicine residency at Broward General Medical Center. “I am proud of the international humanitarian efforts NSU participates in and am honored to serve alongside this group of incredible physicians and students that is donating its time and skills to this wonderful cause.”
