DMU sending care team on spring break in Honduras for third consecutive year

DES MOINES, IA (02/22/2013)(readMedia)-- Twenty-seven Des Moines University students are forgoing the traditional spring break destinations for a week of interprofessional training in Honduras. Instead of spending their week off in the sun or on the slopes, students from all three DMU colleges will be addressing the health care needs of the less fortunate March 16-24.

This is the third straight year that Des Moines University students, faculty and alumni are making the trip to Honduras. The group is comprised of representatives from five of DMU's nine degree programs, including osteopathic medicine, physician assistant, physical therapy, podiatric medicine and public health. They will be joined by residents from Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines and students and faculty from Drake University.

"This year's trip is gearing up to be another outstanding experience in interprofessional education," says Yogesh Shah, M.D., associate dean of global health at DMU. "This experience is critical to students. Studies show that the best, most appropriate and responsible care for patients is delivered by health professionals working together."

Des Moines University's global health department organized the experience, its ninth annual medical service trip. DMU and Drake University are members of the Heartland Global Health Consortium, a group of Iowa colleges and universities that collaborates to offer international health learning experiences for their students.

Donations of health supplies are being accepted by DMU. The following items are of greatest need:

• Body soap
• Floss
• Band-Aids
• Antibiotic creams
• Tylenol, aspirin and Motrin
• Multi-vitamins

Donations can be dropped off at the Des Moines University Global Health office, Academic Center, 3440 Grand Avenue, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Thursday. For more information about how you can help, contact Chris Catrenich at 515-271-1425.

To learn more about the trip, interview students or shoot footage, please attend a March 6 meeting in Munroe Building, room 101, at 5:30 p.m. or contact Jordan Bahnsen at 515-271-1576.

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Des Moines University (DMU) is the only private medical school in Iowa, offering graduate-level, professional degree programs in osteopathic medicine, podiatric medicine, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, biomedical sciences, anatomy, health care administration and public health. Founded in 1898, the institution offers superior academics in a collaborative environment. DMU students' pass rate on national examinations and board certifications is consistently higher than the national average and the rates at similar institutions.