primary care nurses, nursing care beyond the ... - School of Nursing

Primary Care NursingNurse Anesthetist Aids Patients inThird WorldWhen Scott Pearson was anurse anesthesia student atthe University of Pittsburgh,he attended a lecture onthird world surgical missionsduring a summer seminar.The experience left enoughof an impression on him thathe decided to volunteer asan anesthesia provider fortrips through SurgicorpsInternational, a Pittsburgh-based organizationthat provides medical care to overseas patientsin need.To date, Pearson has traveled to Vietnam,Guatemala, Bhutan, and Uganda.“I have been fortunate in my life, and volunteeringmy time and resources provides methe opportunity to help others,” says Pearson,who also serves as a certified registered nurseanesthetist in the U.S. Army Reserves, throughwhich he was deployed to Iraq in the summerand fall of 2008.Most of the Surgicorps cases involve plasticsurgery to repair cleft lips, cleft palates, burnscars, congenital defects, and traumatic injuries.Although the organization treats all ages, mostof its patients are children.The groups work long hours—in somecases, 12-hour days—but, as Pearson reports,“the work is very rewarding.” In Bhutan, forexample, the team completed 72 cases in fivedays of surgery.In addition to directing patient care,Pearson also gave morning lectures to nurseanesthesia students in Mbale, Uganda, to teachthem about use of the intravenous generalanesthetic Propofol as well as an alternativeairway device.“My education at the University ofPittsburgh School of Nursing has providedme the skills to be an effective team memberon Surgicorps trips,” says Pearson. “I amvery thankful for the wonderful experienceat Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMCand other clinical sites where I gained experiencetaking care of children.”“I have beenfortunate inmy life, andvolunteeringmy time andresources providesme theopportunity tohelp others.”Above: Scott Pearson with anesthetists in UgandaRight: Pearson and Guy Leone, MD, with Bhutan burn victim6 university of Pittsburgh