Last summer and with support from a Page Fellowship grant, I had the opportunity to travel to Mandeville, Jamaica, for two weeks to complete a medical internship. This program was through Projects Abroad, a volunteer and internship initiative that allows students and adults to complete service across the globe in a designated area of interest. I picked the Medical Internship for Teenagers in Jamaica because this program highlighted two of my favorite passions: service and medicine. Medicine has fascinated me from a young age, and the opportunity to combine this practice with giving back to my community reinforced my sense of purpose.
The primary goal of the program was to improve access to healthcare for vulnerable populations in Jamaica by developing clinics and outreach programs. Through hands-on experiences, I learned the basics of working with patients, including taking vital signs, suturing, conducting medical workshops, and shadowing alongside medical staff in a hospital. During the week, I designed and led two health fairs for local residents to attend. I performed basic medical tests, including blood pressure, glucose levels, weight, and temperature. I recorded these numbers and referred patients to a local doctor if their values fell outside the reference range. I enjoyed interacting with different individuals and having the opportunity to perform tangible work.
Apart from working with adults, I visited a local daycare where I promoted personal hygiene and physical activity to young kids. My partner and I created a lecture discussing why these topics are important, the consequences of not following them, and led a game of Bingo to reinforce their learning. Addressing the younger generation about these topics is particularly important because they are our future; educating them now allows them to make more informed decisions in the future.
In my downtime, I explored the beautiful nature and cuisine of Jamaica. I traveled to Ocho Rios Beach and YS Falls to enjoy the great outdoors, and tried an assortment of foods.
This internship allowed me to work on the preventive side of medicine. It taught me that stepping outside of my comfort zone can lead to meaningful experiences and to embrace my curiosity. Hearing and learning from diverse perspectives across Jamaica has allowed me to become a more rounded individual who is better equipped to serve various communities. I encourage anyone interested in medicine to apply for the Page Grant and to continue serving the community!
_________________
Meg Page ’74 Fellowships honor Meg’s commitment to compassionate healthcare. They are awarded annually to students who wish to explore an experience or course of study devoted to the provision of better health care in areas such as public health, family planning, medical research, mental health, and non-Western practices of healing.