草榴社区 Nurse Anesthesia Team Participates in Mission Trip to Honduras
Mon, 06/06/2022 - 09:13am | By: Van Arnold
鈥淢ore than Medicine鈥� - a motto embraced by Baptist Medical Dental Mission International
(BMDMI) was thrust into action recently during a 40-person surgical team鈥檚 assignment
in Guaimaca, Honduras.
The team was comprised of healthcare personnel from the Hattiesburg area as well as one faculty member and four students from The University of 草榴社区 Mississippi (草榴社区) Nurse Anesthesia Program. Part of an annual mission through BMDMI, the medical team performed an astounding 82 procedures in just three-and-a-half days.
Dr. Stephanie Parks, Assistant Professor in 草榴社区鈥檚 Nurse Anesthesia Program, led the University鈥檚 contingent that also included students Laura Beth Hailey, Alexa Hogan, Luke Leblanc and Reed Thames. This marked the first time that any of them had participated in a BMDMI mission.
Parks notes that the mission work aligns perfectly with the University鈥檚 vision to teach students to thrive in a global society, regardless of borders and economic diversity.
鈥淭he anesthesia care delivered in the Honduran communities on this medical mission embodies the University鈥檚 commitment to wellness and the students鈥� professional development as future certified registered nurse anesthetists,鈥� said Parks.
The first Honduran BMDMI workers began church-planting ministries in 1968. After seeing the great health needs that existed, they began inviting medical and dental teams to minister to the overwhelming population needs. The ministry of these teams served as a platform for sharing the good news of the Gospel to the masses. The Centro Medico de Especialidades is a modern hospital located in Guaimaca, Honduras used by BMDMI missionaries to perform medical services such as lab work, X-rays, and surgery.
Surgical procedures performed during the mission ranged from cosmetic malformation repairs, dental extractions, gynecological procedures, hernia repairs, and orthopedic procedures.
As far as highlights from the experience, Parks points to the care provided for a child who suffered a fractured radius after falling from a mango tree the day before the team鈥檚 arrival.
鈥淭hough he was scared, he walked into the operating room with his arm held in a makeshift sling. We were all impressed with his bravery and trust in us as we held him while he drifted off to sleep for the procedure,鈥� said Parks.
The students recounted their fondest memories as well:
Laura Beth Hailey, a native of Louisville, Miss.
鈥淢y most memorable moment from the trip was seeing the patients in pre-op being individually prayed over before surgery as well as the joy and thankfulness the patients had when they woke up once their surgery was complete. It鈥檚 powerful to see how much we take for granted.鈥�
Alexa Hogan, a native of Meridian, Miss.
鈥淚 think my most memorable was each day walking in to pre-op to get my patients and seeing how happy these people were to see us and get their surgery. We take so much for granted here in the U.S. with everything at our fingertips. Which goes along with how appreciative the Honduran people were when we took them fresh water one afternoon. It was amazing to see their response not only to getting the surgery they鈥檝e waited a long time for, but also taking them fresh water 鈥� something we never have to worry about back home. Very eye-opening.鈥�
Luke Leblanc, a native of Gluckstadt, Miss.
鈥淢y most memorable moment was providing the anesthesia for one of the mission workers for BMDMI that is from Honduras and then her eating lunch and praying over our meal before we ate. Seeing the resiliency of the patient and how quickly she went back to work was amazing.鈥�
Reed Thames, a native of Gluckstadt, Miss.
鈥淢y favorite moment was seeing the Gospel preached in pre-op in English and Spanish, and one lady accepting Christ.鈥�
While certainly grueling, the trip did include some rewarding down-time. Parks and her team had the opportunity to create more than 30 balloon animals for the village children on the final day.
To summarize why this type of mission work is so significant, Parks said: 鈥淢ission work is not only important for the underserved people of Honduras, but for the person that take their time and talents to some of the most remote locations in the world. Whether they are practicing Hattiesburg physicians, or young anesthesia students, everyone has a talent and gift to share with populations less fortunate than our own.鈥�
To learn more about the Nurse Anesthesia Program at 草榴社区, call 601.266.5527 or visit: /leadership-advanced-nursing-practice/nurse_anesthesia_program.php