Medical mission trips to various parts of the world are not new to respiratory therapists. On May 22, an interprofessional team of respiratory care, nursing, medical, and speech/language pathology students led by Lisa Trujillo, DHSc, RRT, FAARC, Program Director at the University of Kansas Medical Center’s (KUMC) Respiratory Care and Diagnostic Services, and Karen Schell, DHSc, RRT, RPFT, RRT-NPS, RRT-SDS, RPSGT, AE-C, CTTS, FAARC will leave for three weeks to Ghana. Since 2006 these types of teams have been traveling to Ghana to provide services and outreach. This year’s team will focus on engaging with clinical care providers in large teaching hospitals and rural clinics. The team will also assist in establishing Helping Babies Training centers in several areas across the country.
This mission is in partnership with long-standing community partners and clinics. The goal of this project is to establish sustainable Helping Babies Breathe training programs that are equipped to provide services to a growing number of providers in the communities surrounding the location. All manikins and teaching supplies will be provided to each location through a grant from Dr. Anthony Kovac, KUMC Alumni Emeritus. Annual visits will include follow-up and support training at each location.
These clinics are in dire need of assistance. Dr. Schell is currently collecting items to take with them. Please click here to see a list of needed medical supplies. Items can be picked up in the Kansas City area or you can mail them to:
Karen Schell
109 West 2nd Street
Frankfort, Kansas 66427
Deadline for donations is May 15.
Please feel free to contact Dr. Schell at kschell54@gmail.com for questions, concerns, or pick-up locations.
