MEDLIFE

Last week, we joined the Brown University MEDLIFE Chapter on campus for their last meeting of the year. As about 25 students shared pizza and soda, co-presidents Katie Deangelis and Abby Kerson summarized the chapter's accomplishments throughout the year, highlighting their increased visibility on campus, participation in two Mobile Clinics, and multiple large-scale fundraisers.

This year, the chapter raised $1,500 for the MEDLIFE Project Fund – enough to fund approximately 1.5 staircase projects in Pamplona, Peru. One of their most successful fundraisers was a raffle that required prizes to be donated by local businesses, and a heavy publicity push to get fellow students to buy tickets. Members expressed that this was a great way to reach out to the broader community and to cultivate new, local partners.

Nora Orton, a chapter member who now helps organize Brown's Mobile Clinic trips, also shared photos during the meeting from the two Mobile Clinics that Brown students participated in this year. Norah first got involved with MEDLIFE as a freshman when she saw a MEDLIFE Mobile Clinic trip advertised through the campus morning email. On a bit of a whim, she signed up for and attended a clinic in Riobamba, Ecuador, during the spring of 2011.

Watch our latest video for all the information you need to sign up, prepare for, and attend a MEDLIFE Mobile Clinic!

Sophomore Charlotte Groch, a participant on one of our 2012 Mobile Clinics in Lima, was also one of the first students to successfully use MEDLIFE's 50:50 fundraising campaign. Through our online fundraising tool, Charlotte raised $1,400 -- half of which went towards her participation fees and half of which went to the MEDLIFE Mission Fund. Recently, we used the $700 that Charlotte raised for MEDLIFE to build a new staircase in Pamplona, outside of Lima, Peru:


Charlotte's involvement with MEDLIFE began when an informative email from the organization was sent out to members of her pre-health profession club at Macalester and sparked her interest. "I looked at it and thought -- this sounds perfect for me," she said. After researching our website and listening to other student's stories, she knew that it would be the most useful way to spend her winter break.

The 50:50 Campaign was presented to her in another email she received shortly after registering with MEDLIFE. "It sounded like a great way to help me in my desire to travel, do community service, and help out with a non-profit that seemed to be doing really sustainable work. It's not just for me; it also helps out the organization at the same time." Charlotte attributes the success of her campaign to her sincerity with donors:

"I explained that it wouldn't be a one-time thing -- that it would continue on into the future by helping communities become more health-aware and by educating them about prevention."

Charlotte's funds are continuing on into the future in the form of a concrete staircase for the community of Unión Santa Fé, benefiting a community of 380 people. Check out some photos from the inauguration ceremony, and be sure to read the entire story on our website:

Learn more about Mobile Clinics >    Start a 50:50 Campaign >

This winter season, MEDLIFE held one Mobile Clinic in Cusco, Peru; two Mobile Clinics in Lima, Peru; and four Mobile Clinics in Riobamba, Ecuador. In total, 338 students participated, helping to bring primary medical services and sustainable development projects to 5,247 community members across Peru and Ecuador.

During this season, in collaboration with community leaders on the ground, we provided:

• Primary medical services to 4,779 patients
• Pap smear exams to 529 women
• Breast cancer screenings to 321 women
• Dental care to 1,383 patients
• One bathroom project in Ecuador benefiting 88 people
• Four staircase construction projects in Peru benefiting a community of 380 people

Thanks to everyone who participated in each one of our December/January clinics. Check out our video highlights reel below:

MEDLIFE has always been led by extraordinary individuals bent on committing their time, resources, and knowledge to bring Medicine, Education and Development to Low Income Families Everywhere. Tommy Flint has been no exception. As Tommy ends his career with MEDLIFE, our team wishes to extend our gratitude not only for his work as a staff member, but also for his admirable sense of integrity and compassion.

Beginning his MEDLIFE journey in 2009 as an intern in Riobamba, Ecuador, Tommy began assisting MEDLIFE's small staff of three in its mission to improve the overall welfare and health of remote communities in Ecuador. Working with our staff, Tommy was asked to wear multiple hats by providing assistance to the MEDVIDA staff during Mobile Clinics, assisting with patient follow-up, and serving as the liaison between MEDVIDA and all the passionate volunteers in the United States. During 2010 Tommy continued his efforts with MEDLIFE by relocating to Lima, Peru to assume the role of Director of Student Operations in the USA and to aid in expanding MEDVIDA's work into Peru. Working with staff in both MEDLIFE's operations in the USA and in Peru, Tommy worked tirelessly to provide Medicine, Education and Development to MEDLIFE's patients. Tommy aided in MEDLIFE's growth of nearly two-fold over the past year. 

Tommy has contributed to helping MEDLIFE's name become synonymous with excellence, integrity and outstanding quality and service to the communities it serves. Keeping with the vision of MEDLIFE's simple yet goal-focused mission has provided a stepping-stone for MEDLIFE's constant growth -- one which MEDLIFE will use to reach even greater heights.

At a glance:

• 2009 – MEDLIFE Year-long intern: Riobamba, Ecuador
• 2010 – Director of Student Operations: Helped establish MEDVIDA's operations in Peru, aided in MEDLIFE's first ever community development project 
• Fall 2011 – Director of Operations USA - Was part of a team that helped MEDLIFE's student chapter base grow from ~ 25 to 52 universities

Written by MEDLIFE Director of Student Operations, Joseph Tylutki

A few words from Tommy:

Arriving alone at the Riobamba, Ecuador bus station to begin my MEDLIFE internship on Sept 15, 2009, I imagine that I had many of the same hesitations and concerns that most MEDLIFE Mobile Clinic participants initially face. Who will be picking me up? Will I be staying in a mud hut? Do they have internet here? Is it okay that I don't speak much Spanish? And, my most pertinent question: What is it the MEDLIFE does, anyways?

After receiving a gracious welcome from MEDVIDA Director Martha Chicaiza, many of my preoccupations were quickly alleviated. I lived with her and another intern, Isa, in a cozy apartment (I slept in the living room) with running water (not potable), electricity (excepting the daily outages), and, thankfully, internet access (abysmally slow). But although I spent the following months shadowing and assisting Martha in her work, I still found myself struggling to answer a question frequently posed by friends and family back home: So, what exactly do you do down there? While I could define the fundamentals of our operation -- at that time, primary care Mobile Clinics and dedicated patient follow-up care -- it still seemed I was leaving out some essential aspect of MEDLIFE's work.

Over the past two and half years, as the number of universities participating in MEDLIFE's mission has expanded nearly ten-fold, the answer to that question has become even more complex. Our Mobile Clinic program has grown to offer not only a much more varied array of medical services and exams, but also a blossoming educational component. Undergraduate students continue to serve in summer and year-round internships, preparing them for future careers in international development and global health. The most exciting innovation came from the creation of the MEDLIFE Fund, where projects are defined not by MEDLIFE staff, but rather by the needs and desires of the poor communities with which we work. In 2012, MEDLIFE will build stairs in Lima, conduct Pap smear exams and STI screenings, promote child nutrition educational campaigns, construct schools and bathrooms in Ecuador, extract teeth and fill cavities, train student leaders, and provide thousands of people with a consult with a doctor. Can all of that be boiled down into a single mission statement?

Recently, as I reflect on my own involvement with MEDLIFE, I've decided that the most relevant question isn't 'What is MEDLIFE?', but rather, 'Who is MEDLIFE?' MEDLIFE is Carlos Benavides, a former community leader who spends his evenings not at home with his family, but rather in the urban slum of Pamplona, seeking out hillside communities that would benefit from a concrete stairway. MEDLIFE is Jose Rodriguez, a Peruvian doctor who attends to each Mobile Clinic patient with an uncommon level of sensitivity and patience -- for some patients, it may be the first time a doctor has treated them with sympathy and respect. It's Martha Chicaiza, who has dedicated seven days a week, 52 weeks a year, towards the MEDLIFE cause since the first day I met her. It's every single student volunteer who arrives in Latin America full of hope, ambition, and the unshakeable urge to lend a hand to those in need. MEDLIFE is each patient who, after graciously receiving medical treatment, humbly and hopefully requests that MEDLIFE help a sick relative, or that we return to build a set of stairs outside of their home.

MEDLIFE is a group of incredible people, each of whom provide a unique skillset and perspective to our mission. It's a work ethic that demands that we all be ready to do whatever it takes, whenever it takes, to get the job done. It's a mentality that puts the needs of our patients as a top priority. It's a firm belief that our dedicated efforts can lead to long-term improvements in the lives of the poor.

I wish I could list here every single MEDLIFE staff member and intern, and recite their positive qualities and the impression they've made upon me. I wish I could personally tell each student volunteer that their enthusiasm for MEDLIFE's mission is what has driven my work since I arrived in 2009. And I wish I could tell each patient that there are thousands of MEDLIFE supporters in the USA and Canada that care about their well-being.

As I've now superceded my initial three-month commitment to MEDLIFE by some 27 months, the time has finally come for me to seek out new opportunities. I'm profoundly grateful to have met and worked with MEDLIFE staff, interns, and volunteers, and entrust that they will continue to fight for MEDLIFE's cause for years to come. Thank you to everyone who has supported me during my time here.

Sincerely,

Tommy Flint

Although our staff members, doctors, and student volunteers conduct Mobile Clinics that last one to two weeks, the preparation for these clinics begins well in advance. MEDLIFE Fund Project Director Carlos Benavides visits several different communities, assessing needs and attempting to pinpoint locations that will serve the greatest amount of patients. Carlos also looks for a "compromiso" from the community -- a commitment to collaborate with MEDLIFE by providing community support and local labor. Community leaders also pledge to publicize the dates of the clinics and clinic services to the members of their neighborhoods.

Three to four weeks before the clinic date, another meeting is held with each community to share our plans and to receive questions. This meeting serves as an opportunity to speak about common health problems, to inform the community about our Mobile Clinic process, and to explain the types of services we offer.

In preparation for our most recent Mobile Clinic in Lima, Peru, MEDLIFE staff members held a meeting with the community of Villa El Salvador to present information about our diagnostic screenings (breast and cervical cancer) and dental services. Check out our before and after photos below!

MEDLIFE staff members meet with the community of Villa El Salvador in preparation for an upcoming Mobile Clinic:

Photos from a subsequent January Mobile Clinic in Villa El Salvador:

MEDLIFE'S FIRST WEST COAST CONFERENCE OFFERS STUDENTS FROM A RANGE OF UNVERSITIES A CHANCE TO DISCUSS, BRAINSTORM, AND FOSTER A COMMUNITY OF STUDENTS EMPOWERED AND PASSIONATE FOR PROMOTING HEALTH EDUCATION AND ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE THROUGHOUT LATIN AMERICA.

UC Berkeley's MEDLIFE Chapter cordially invites all MEDLIFE chapters and their members to UC Berkeley for a chance to meet with one another, share, and discuss various aspects of MEDLIFE. The conference will be held February 17th-18th at UC Berkeley (about 25 minutes outside of San Francisco). We have a great weekend planned, including bonding activities, public health guest speakers, interactive workshops, and more! The conference will be a unique opportunity for MEDLIFE members from across the nation to meet in person and promote our important cause.

Attendees should arrive between 5:00 PM and 7:30 PM and will be hosted by one of the UC Berkeley members. Upon arrival, Friday night will include a welcome dinner and a fun-filled scavenger hunt on the Berkeley campus! Various activities and workshops will commence on Saturday -- including a UC Berkeley professor's lecture on his/her work in the healthcare sector in poverty-stricken, developing countries as well as various workshops on establishing a successful chapter and reflections on experiences in MEDLIFE.

There will be a participation fee of $30, which includes all meals and costs for activities during the conference. We hope you will be able to join us!

Register Now >>

The 50:50 Campaign is MEDLIFE's online fundraising tool that allows students to raise money towards their participation fees and travel grants. University of Denver student Andrea Reinig shares her experience fundraising with our 50:50 Campaign:

How did you get involved with MEDLIFE?

I heard about MEDLIFE through my friend's roommate, who is a part of the MEDLIFE club on campus at University of Denver. I looked at the website, went to a meeting about the winter break Peru trip, and decided I really wanted to participate.

How did you hear about MEDLIFE's 50:50 campaign?

While researching the Mobile Clinics on the MEDLIFE website, I read about the 50:50 campaign and thought it was a great idea. I did not want to raise money just for my own benefit, so this campaign allowed me to give back to the Mission Fund as well.

How were you successful in raising money and getting the word out?

In order to raise money, I sent out emails to friends and family explaining what I was partaking in and how half the money collected would help cover my personal costs to participate in the clinic, and the other half would help MEDLIFE provide the health services that I would be helping out with. I also told my parents that I did not want any other Christmas presents this year since they were paying for me to go on this trip.

I am not typically the kind of person to ask others for money, so when I asked for help and explained how badly I wanted to go via email and in person, my family and friends were more than willing to help out.

What drives you to continue raising funds for MEDLIFE?

After participating in the clinic in Cuzco, I realized how badly people need health care in certain communities. It is one of those things that you have to see in person, in order to understand the severity of the conditions. In America, you can drive ten minutes and be at a hospital or doctor's office. That is not the case in Peru. All of the communities we went to were far away from any form of health care. I was able to see how the money was spent and how much it benefited the patients.


What stood out to you about the Mobile Clinic experience?

The whole Mobile Clinic experience was unbelievable. I saw a different side of the world I have never seen before, and I am very glad I got this opportunity to see it. It was touching for me to see kids circling our tent, excited to learn how to brush their teeth. Several of the women that were lined up to see the doctor shook my hand and smiled which showed me how much they appreciated our help.

How do you plan to share the experience with those who donated to your 50:50 campaign?

I plan on sending out thank you cards with pictures to those who donated to my 50:50 campaign. I want to show them how much I appreciate their donations and how their money was put to good use.

Having had the Mobile Clinic experience, how would you encourage other students to atttend a Mobile Clinic and start a 50:50 campaign?

This was a life changing and humbling experience for me. I think it changed me as a person because it made me realize how fortunate I am. I encourage any student to attend a Mobile Clinic because it is such a fun way to help those who really need it. Plus, you meet tons of awesome friends along the way. The 50:50 campaign is a great way to give back, and reduce the financial burden of participating.

Thank you to the communities surrounding Riobamba and the student volunteers from Ohio State, Northwestern University, and Florida International University for all their hard work conducting MEDLIFE's first 2011-2012 winter clinic in Ecuador -- we're gearing up for three more clinics this January!

Jose Antonio, a 7 year old from the community of Sacaca, was one of the 751 patients that we saw last week during the MEDLIFE Mobile Clinic in Cuzco. Jose suffers from congenital paralysis, but was brought by his parents to the Mobile Clinic for treatment of fever and throat pain. After our doctors treated him for these symptoms, MEDLIFE staff members also talked with Jose's parents about their child's paralysis -- no one had ever spoken with them before about the need for physical therapy. Jose's parents were shown how to do perform basic physical therapy exercises and how to rotate their child's position throughout the day to prevent infection, and then directed to other local resources in order to continue his treatment in the future. Our doctors believe that although it would be difficult for Jose to ever walk, it's not impossible.


Among the many illnesses seen on Mobile Clinics, it's rare to see patients who are completely free of health problems. Yet, Yirema Quello -- a baby from Sacaca and a patient seen in Cuzco -- is healthy and strong. Yirema's mother, who lives in a community without a health center, brought Yirema to our Clinic for a regular check-up and to see how she was developing.


Yirema's mother told us that she tracked her birth and knew when she was about to deliver. That day, she prepared herself for an hour-long walk to the nearest hospital and was able to give birth safely. Yet, she said that many women are not as lucky as she was. Many women cannot wait and get to the hospital, and instead give birth in their homes. As a result, many babies die during childbirth.

Thanks to our Cuzco team for making it possible to treat Jose, Yirema, and our other 749 patients this past week!