Quinn Bott '13

International Service Learning in North Central Mexico

I spent six incredible weeks in and around the quiet, rural city of Jaumave, in the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico. Through a program called International Service Learning (ISL), I traveled to churches in rural villages where I was responsible for interviewing and registering patients, triaging and helping to diagnose illnesses, and filling prescriptions at clinics that I, and other medical students from around the country worked to set up each day. I also learned and practiced my medical and conversational Spanish, hiked to a remote mountain farming community, zip-lined across a canyon, participated in a ceremonial cleansing vapor bath called a Temazcal, swam in the Gulf of Mexico at South Padre Island, Texas and in Rio Nopal, visited historic churches and sites around North Mexico, watched Mexican artists, dancers and musicians perform in town squares, shopped in busy open air markets, enjoyed delicious meals, played soccer with local teenagers, and even celebrated my birthday in good company of new Mexican and American friends.

I first arrived in Brownsville, Texas and was greeted by a man that would soon become my mentor, teacher, and guide, Dr. Adrian Mendoza. Although his stature was unimposing as I stood next to him, it would not be long until his knowledge of medicine, culture, and history, along with his fantastic sense of humor would have me feeling chaperoned by the most important man in all of Mexico. Arguably, I was. His many years of service to his country have included work on fighting drug trafficking, treating narcotic abuse and depression associated with traumatic events and poverty, and advancing natural and alternative medicine. His knowledge and ability to teach was impressive and many nights the members of our team and I would sit for hours listening to his stories, some funny, some serious, about the Mexican healthcare system, common illnesses, and the many things he has seen and experienced in his travels. Other nights we would all stay up late playing anatomy bingo to learn the Spanish names for body parts, or quiz him about antibiotics and the names and uses of various drugs.

For nearly ten years, he has been welcoming groups of students from around the country and world to his home to help him set up day clinics in the churches of poor villages to treat, teach, and counsel patients, some of whom may have never seen a doctor before. The medicines and medical supplies are obtained through donations from students, and students are given the opportunity to take their time in meeting and examining each patient.

As part of a Hike for Humanity team, I hiked six kilometers uphill to a small, isolated village. The people there, although they lived humble self-sustaining lives, were incredibly welcoming and sweet. They drank the rainwater, and had no electricity except for one government issued solar panel to power lights and an old computer in their one room schoolhouse, which also served as the church and meetinghouse of the town. It ended up raining on our campsite, but the clearing rain made for a beautiful view of the foggy jungle that surrounded us, and the green valley below us.

On one of the trips, in addition to a medical team, we traveled with a team of dental students, under the supervision of a Mexican dentist, Doctor Daniela. They performed routine dental examinations, cleanings, extractions, and gave out toothbrushes and brushing tips to each person who came to the clinic. I earned an honorary spot on the dental team when I had the opportunity to pull a tooth! I was able to stop my nervous hands from trembling enough to carefully remove it, under the close supervision of Doctor Daniela, without any troubles. The kind older woman I worked on had many teeth removed that day, but still left with the comforting knowledge that her teeth would no longer be causing her pain. I sent her home with her prescription for some ibuprofen and antibiotic to relieve pain and prevent infection, and a hug, thanking her for an experience I will not soon forget.

Experiencing hands-on medical care, especially when providing for needy and underserved populations, has been a valuable experience for me and changed the way I understand the global healthcare need. I believe that every student, but certainly medical practitioners, should travel abroad and donate their time to teaching and healing the many sick that struggle, yet persevere in difficult conditions. The people I met in Mexico were some of the most selfless, strong, and proud people I have ever known, and they appreciated everything we did for them so immensely. My time there provided me with lifelong friends, unforgettable memories, and a strong, positive foundation of what health care is all about as I continue my path to a career of medical service.

Asi sea.

-Quinn Bott, Pharmacy, ‘13