Students travel abroad to minister through medicine

PIKEVILLE, Ky. – As good stewards of God’s grace, the Bible, in the book of Peter, teaches us to use our gifts to serve one another. Traveling to the small sugarcane community in the Dominican Republic, first-year medical student Janey Watts knew the medical mission trip she was on would be life changing.

“The people were so appreciative of our efforts,” said Watts. “To see the conditions they live in, yet live with a happiness many of us may never know, is amazing. God is truly working in Batey Nueve and to be a part of that was a blessing. The hard work, hot weather and the obstacles we faced getting there are all forgotten when you look into the eyes of a child or an adult and see how grateful they truly are for what we were doing.”

Watts was one of more than a dozen student-doctors and family members from the Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine (PCSOM) who volunteered for the weeklong mission trip. They were also joined by Laura Griffin, D.O., FAAO, associate professor of osteopathic principles and practices at PCSOM. The trip is sponsored by the medical school’s chapter of the Christian Medical Association in conjunction with G.O. Ministries in Louisville, Ky., a Christian non-profit organization dedicated to the ministry of short-term missions and the development of global partnerships of ministry.

The mission team treated about 800 patients in the village of Batey Nueve, which is located about two hours from the Haitian border. Patients were provided with prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, first-aid care and osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). Patients visiting the clinic also received a personal hygiene kit for each member of the family.

This was the first year a member of the PCSOM faculty accompanied the students. Griffin, who became interested in the mission trip after hearing her students talking about it in class, served as both physician and teacher.

Watts recalled the case of a two-year-old girl who’d been diagnosed with meningitis at six months of age.

“She was unable to turn her head, to focus her eyes, to speak or even walk,” said Watts. “Dr. Griffin performed OMT on her and after a couple of treatments tremendous improvement could be seen. Her head was more in alignment and she was beginning to focus her eyes more on objects. It was one of the most memorable aspects of the trip.”

“This was valuable for all of us on so many levels,” said Griffin. “The students got to see really severe clinical situations and the impact that lack of health care can have. We all grew so much from experiencing our own personal challenges and hardships in order to share our gifts and fortune with others who are not as blessed as we are. I can’t wait to do it again and encourage as many students as possible to participate.”

In addition to medical assistance, ministering to those in need was an integral part of the effort. Students traveled throughout the village, praying with people and inviting them to church. A children’s ministry, a special part of every mission trip, included puppet shows, singing and playing “endless games of catch.” Other PCSOM mission team members included student-doctors Ashley McCarty, Michael Smutko, Gabe McCoy, Chase Moran, J.T. Silvers, Valerie Hammonds, Cassie Rice, Candice Goh, Kyle Wheeling, Carissa Lucas and Mikal Hicks.

Preparations for the mission trip begin early last year when students began fundraising efforts. Through the generosity of individuals and businesses across the country, PCSOM’s mission team raised $30,000 and collected $300,000 in pharmaceutical donations.

“We would like to thank all those individuals and groups who supported our trip, whether through financial support, prayer or just words of encouragement,” said Watts. “Although there were 18 who traveled to Batey Nueve, there were so many others there with us in spirit and prayer.”

Caption: More than a dozen representatives from the Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine (PCSOM), along with other volunteers from G.O. Ministries, traveled to the Dominican Republic on a mission trip this summer. The team treated about 800 patients and ministered to the residents of Batey Nueve.