Thousand Words

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Cambodia

This summer, WWAMI sponsored four of us to spend six weeks in Cambodia working at the Children's Surgical Centre. We scrubbed in for an average of 4-5 surgeries per day acting as first-assist for much of the time. While there we worked with specialists and medical students from around the world. We spent a lot of time together and took trips to Siem Reap (land of Angkor Wat), Mondulkiri (jungle trek), and Sihanoukville (beach town).

Although most of our time was spent in the O.R., we were able to get away on the weekends and explore Cambodia.

Our guides getting our rides ready for a 2-day trek through the jungle

Exploring the villages north of Phnom Penh by scooter

Bayon of Angkor Thom

Sunset over the rubble and trash as seen from my guesthouse

Young monks strolling through Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious monument.

Monkey

If you are interested in volunteering at the CSC as a medical student, click here.)

The Surgical Center had one O.R. with 3 cases usually happening simultaneously

See one, do one, teach one

Click here to see more pictures from Cambodia ---> CAMBODIA '11

Monday, August 8, 2011

Dillingham R/UOP

After Year 1, we are given several options to fulfill our "Triple I" (Independent Investigative Inquiry) Project. I chose R/UOP (Rural/Underserved Opportunities Program). This is the one that randomly assigns us to remote sites.

Alaska's southwestern town of Dillingham (Pacific Salmon Capitol of the World) was where I was sent.

I spent a month with rural physicians to see how medicine is practiced in The Bush. It was a great experience. Luckily, students from other medical fields were there at the same time so I had a group of new friends my age to explore the town and surroundings with.