Dr. Ted Lee collects a water sample from a storage tank in April. It was analyzed for the presence of bacteria.
You needn’t be majoring in Biology or related science to benefit by serving on a medical brigade in Honduras during the upcoming J-Term.
SUNY Fredonia Distinguished Teaching Professor Ted Lee organizes the annual brigades that assist with the delivery of basic medical services to residents in rural parts of the impoverished Central American country.
He’s no stranger there, having made 12 trips, leading a SUNY Fredonia student contingent during a J-Term, participating in medical and water brigades with other groups or, most recently, conducting research on drinking water during a five-month fellowship earlier this year.
The impact of the experience for students is to see a portion of what life is like for individuals in a country lacking basic resources that many take for granted in the U.S., Dr. Lee explained. Students get to help those at the brigades and the children at the host site. The goal is to provide students with an impactful experience and to provide basic medical care in rural communities,
“These interactions have had a major impact on most students who have participated in the program and students who are interested in helping others and learning about life in a poor country would be a good fit for the program,” Lee said. “There are extensive interactions with children as well.”
Students are assigned to a station during each brigade day, that has a specific function, such as getting background information on the patients, taking vitals to prepare the patient to see a physician or distributing medicine after the patient was evaluated.
Seeing healthcare conditions in Honduras and interacting with children at an orphanage, along with compiling daily journals of their experiences, are among key takeaways for all students.
Students currently enrolled in Spanish, Education, Photography, Psychology, Sociology or Gender Studies can be an especially good fit for the Honduras experience. The ability to put others first, being flexible in their work, responsible and reliable and being able to work with others are common traits among students, Lee noted. It also helps to have patience.
“The key is wanting to help others and to learn from your experiences.” Lee added.
Students enroll in INED 312: Health Care in Latin America during the fall semester to prepare for the experience.
Lee used his Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award during the spring semester, as part of a 2023-2024 sabbatical leave, to continue his research into water quality issues there. He conducted the research while working at the national university in Honduras, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras (UNAH). He tested water samples from homes that have been given point of use water filters by a mission Honduras group from Ohio, and also visited different areas to view other water treatment procedures and tested water samples from different areas in Honduras to see what methods are best in delivering potable water to people.
Lee then returned in July to help out with medical brigades in villages where SUNY Fredonia students will go in January to provide care.
The dates for this year’s program are Jan. 5 to Jan. 13, 2025; students leave Fredonia on Jan. 4 and return on Jan. 14.
There is still time to apply for the program here.
