VCU Internal Medicine Training Program
Central American Relief Elective (C.A.R.E.)
In June of 2009 a team of 5 internists (including 3 medicine residents) participated in medical relief in rural Honduras as a part of the Department of Internal Medicine’s Central American Relief Elective (C.A.R.E.) in partnership with the nonprofit organization HOMBRE (the Honduras Outreach Medical Brigada Relief Effort). The team saw over a thousand patients in direct clinical consultation in the towns of Coyolles and La Hicaca. In addition to direct patient care, residents participated in a large-scale water filtration project and administered needs assessment surveys. The C.A.R.E. elective is offered yearly by the Department of Internal Medicine and those interested in this rotation should contact Mike Stevens for further information.
 Clinic in Coyolles |
Coyolles: end of a busy day |
Coyolles: HOMBRE Team |
Coyolles: Reena, Mike and Gonzalo at end of day of clinic |
Coyolles: Reena, Dan and Erin |
Coyolles: Team in front of Dole Bananna fields |
Erin and Reena at Pico Bonita |
Getting ready to collect water samples and do surveys |
La Hicaca: Doing needs assessment surveys |
La Hicaca: Erin and Dan collect water from filter to test |
La Hicaca: Erin and Dan in clinic |
La Hicaca: Erin Gonzalo and Reena in the medicine clinic |
La Hicaca: Gathering water samples |
La Hicaca: Hanging with the kids |
La Hicaca: Internal medicine clinic |
La Hicaca: Internal medicine team |
La Hicaca: Out gathering water to test |
La Hicaca: Reena and Mike test water samples |
Light drawing in La Hicaca. |
Dan examines a trauma victim |
Medical student Dan practices ear exam |
Team at Pico Bonita |
Town of La Hicaca at dawn |
Links:
- VCU School of Medicine: Disover Medicine—Going Global
- Central American Relief (C.A.R.E.) Curriculum
- Honduras Outreach Medical Brigada Relief Effort (H.O.M.B.R.E.)
- Stevens MP, Bearman G. The Importance Of Preparation: An Examination Of The Principle Health Concerns Encountered On A Medical Relief Mission To Central Honduras With Implications For Future Relief Missions: The Internet Journal of Third World Medicine. 2007; Volume 4, Number 1.
