 |
|
|
|
|
Click here to jump to the daily blog entries from the trip!
Jefferson College of Health Sciences Faculty and Students Undertake a Medical Mission to Choctaw Reservation in Mississippi
Linda Rickabaugh, M.S.N., Associate Professor in the Jefferson College of Health Sciences (JCHS) Nursing Program, will lead a team traveling to the Choctaw Reservation in Mississippi on a Medical Mission from August 10-14, 2009. An estimated 10,000 Choctaw Native Americans live on the reservation (for more information about the Choctaw, visit the tribe's official website at www.choctaw.org).
“Medical missions like this one are vital to good health for the people who live in the region where the reservation is located," says Rickabaugh. "We will even be traveling to some communities up to 45 minutes away to provide education and care. Those trips will supplement the care provided by the Choctaw Health Department.”
During the mission trip, the team will screen between 200 and 400 people for blood pressure, blood sugar, body mass index, dental health and more. In addition, they will provide health fairs and education on dental health, infection prevention and control, stress management, diabetes management, good nutrition, cardiovascular health and cancer prevention.
"Native Americans like the Choctaw face a growing number of health and social issues today, including poverty, substance abuse and suicide, and a high rate of diabetes, dental problems and HIV/Aids. Hopefully with this mission, we can help with some of those issues," says Rickabaugh.
In addition to Linda, the team is composed of 19 members, including 14 JCHS students from the Nursing and Physician Assistant Programs, as well as five Nursing faculty members from the College.
Team members pictured above are: (from left to right, first row) Asmeret Yohannes, Amy Neuhs, Lisa Foote, Rebecca Chafin, Rebecca Reynolds; (second row) Annette Strickland, Cindy Burke, Megan Theimer, Monica Cooper, Sarah Reynolds, Linda Rickabaugh; (third row) Veronica Stump, Melanie Johnson, Ava Porter, Teal, Clark, Shannon ( Jeani) Weakley, Michelle Hartman, Curtis Stowers, Jonathan Pender. Team members not pictured are: Jon Cornett and Kaylee McMahan.
Many of the team members are paying their own way, while the JCHS Physician Assistant students participation is being supported by their professional organization, the Captain Sean Grimes Student Society.
The team will left on Saturday, Aug. 8 and carpooled to the Methodist Mission near the reservation in Philadelphia, Mississippi.
See below for daily blog entries and photos from the Mission trip!
Daily Blog Updates
|
|
|
Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009
Halito! Last night the children arrived by the pickup truck load in anticipation of a wet-n-wild night. No one excaped 100% dry. The highlight was when Dr. Ava Porter became the prime target of some of the students.
Our last health fair was held in Pearl River at the tribal headquarters. We had the opportunity to tour the hospital/clinic and witness firsthand how well a small facility can address the needs of an entire community.
As we reflect on the week, we realize that our team has gained as much from this mission trip as the Choctaw community. This week we have:
· formed many new friendships
· developed a greater appreciation for our faculty members and students from other programs
· been very thankful for air conditioning, bug spray and caffeine
· gained insight into the art of flexibility
· experienced hands-on knowledge of a different culture
· benefited from the experience of woriking as a teamAs this mission trip ends we each leave Mississippi with our own thoughts, fond memories, and new friendships.
Journals are submitted each evening by RN-BSN students.
- Michelle Hartman, DNP, RN, CPNP, Assistant Professor in Nursing, Jefferson College of Health Sciences
|
|
|
Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009
Halito! Last evening's ultimate frisbee match ended in a draw with all participants soaking wet from exertion.
Today we traveled to the community of Bocque Chitto (Big Water). The day began cloudy and overcast with predictions of poor turnout due to the weather. However, we were pleasantly surprised to have the largest turnout yet! To summarize our day, we polled several members of our team about their experiences at Bocque Chitto.
"It was really good. I referred people for multiple peridontal problems, a lesion, and 2 emergency dental appointments."
 "A few moms and a 12 year old were interested in HPV vaccine and the importance in preventing cervical cancer."
"Lots of high blood sugars."
"I think everyone got a hand or shoulder massage."
"A couple who smoked came by our table and we talked about quitting. I told them it didn't have to be done all at once and they said they would consider trying to quit."
"A lot of people were interested in the fat jars."
"Everyone was interested in what was taugh."
As you can tell, we had many positive outcomes. One of the most rewarding was the enrollment of * individuals in a diabetes prevention program offered by the tribal government.
We have to go now to fill up water balloons for tonight's watter battles. More to come tomorrow....
Journals submitted by RN-BSN students
- Michelle Hartman, DNP, RN, CPNP, Assistant Professor in Nursing, Jefferson College of Health Sciences
|
|
|
Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009
Halito again from Missisiippi! “Halito” is the Choctaw word for “hello”!
Since our last update, we have started nightly activities with the Choctaw Indian children. These activities have been planned to promote exercise and fitness. Monday night’s waffle ball game demonstrated the children’s competitive nature and physical agility. Winner, losers, and the sideline cheerleaders all celebrated with refreshing freeze pops. The children left promising to return the next night with even more friends.
Tuesday morning we woke up to a delicious sausage and pancakes breakfast prepared by Jon Cornett, our helper for the week. After breakfast, we were once again greeted by Sharon Hockett, RN, the tribal community health educator. She led our caravan of vehicles to our next destination, Red Water Community Center.
We saw an increased number of participants who have co morbidities including diabetes, hypertension, and a history of smoking. Appropriate referrals were made to the Choctaw Health Clinic for further evaluation and follow-up. A greater percentage of the attendees today demonstrated and interest in our educational materials and were more open to participating in the oral exams and stress relieving massages.
Stay tuned tomorrow to see if we survive the ultimate Frisbee challenge.
These journals are submitted each night by our RN-BSN students.
- Michelle Hartman, DNP, RN, CPNP, Assistant Professor in Nursing, Jefferson College of Health Sciences
.gif)
|
|
|
Monday, Aug. 10, 2009
.gif) After five months of preparation, five faculty members and 14 students from Jefferson College of Health Sciences have arrived in Philadelphia, Mississippi for a Hands of Healing mission trip. The goal of the mission is to provide medical screenings and health promotion information to the Native Americans of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. Education topics include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, infection control, dental care, stress management, nutrition and exercise. We arrived on time, despite a torrential rain storm, bumpy roads and many forks in the road. We were met at the Green Hill Family Life Center with warm smiles and a hardy welcome by Steve and Robin Claris, the Methodist Mission workers.
On Monday, our first day of the health fair, we set up at the rural community center in Conehatta. Although attendance was not as many as we would have liked, several medical referrals were made to the clinic for high blood pressures, elevated blood sugar, and abnormal oral exams. Many of the attendees of the health fair have pre-existing conditions and from the information gathered, non-compliance is a major concern of this community, as it is in the general population. Many preschool children visited the health fair. As with ALL children, they were shy at first, but soon they were smiling and laughing at bubbles, running after little stress balls and tolerating us wanting to hold and play with them. One tribal elder who had a stroke kept us entertained with stories of his family and past careers as a truck driver and ex-military man. He expressed great pride in his heritage and shared information about tribal customs and traditions.
Tomorrow, we look forward to another day on the tribal land in the community of Red Water.
- Michelle Hartman, DNP, RN, CPNP, Assistant Professor in Nursing, Jefferson College of Health Sciences
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
