Fall 2012 - Villanova University

The experience is curriculum-driven, moving education fromthe classroom or clinical setting into this Peruvian community.In the morning, students perform home visits with members ofthe community; they meet with community health advocates topresent health education in the afternoon; and in the eveningthe students and faculty meet to reflect on the day.“These students chose this clinical experience, which alignsperfectly with the University’s greater mission,” says AdjunctAssistant Professor Elise Pizzi, MSN, CRNP.“People were inspired tohelp their community andthat, in turn, inspired us.”–Brooke Bettis ’12 CONSparks of changeSamantha Scordino ’12 CON says the education and workdone by previous groups was evident in the community. Shewas also struck by how interconnected the health care experiencewas—when you treated one patient, the ripples could befelt throughout the community.“Even one piece of information could be very powerful,” shesays. “Whether through faith or service, it was gratifying to seethose sparks of change moving across other people.”This was the second Peru experience for Brooke Bettis ’12CON. As soon as she had come back from a service break experience,she began making plans to return for the nursing experience.“People were inspired to help their community and that,in turn, inspired us,” she says. It shaped her goal of finding acareer in international health care. “I was amazed at how muchwe were able to educate people in managing their health.”Chulucanas provides a clinical experience that aligns with theUniversity’s greater mission.The home visits impacted Jennifer Gil ’13 CON, who acted asan interpreter. She learned a community needs emotional supportas much as health care to thrive. “I felt very connected tothem,” she says. “What you learn in a classroom or from a bookdoesn’t come through until you see how it affects real people.”Building relationshipsOne experience that drove that feeling of connection homefor student leader Elena Sciulli ’12 CON was when sheaccompanied a health promoter to the home of a man in his60s with diabetes and who was deaf. She mistook the peoplewho were with him as the man’s children. They were actuallyhis neighbors who had taken on the task of caring for him.“They didn’t have much, but they shared everything theyhad with him,” says Sciulli, who is an NICU nurse. “ProfessorMcKenna and the wonderful memories from Chulucanas mademe into the nurse I am today.”Fellow student nurse Kerry Schindler ’12 CON agrees. “Thisshowed me how you can build a relationship with the patientthrough nonverbal communication. It is very helpful as I thinkabout my future career as a nurse.”Chulucanas is always in the back of Samantha Wu’s ’12 CONmind, especially when she considers preconceptions about apatient’s base of knowledge. She remembers her surprise whendiscussing with the community how to treat ear infections.While explaining the proper use of antibiotics she had passedaround a model of the parts of the ear and quickly realized theyhad never been exposed to that information before. It meantshe had to ensure they understood the ear’s anatomy before theycould move deeper into the discussion.“I definitely want to have another global health experience,”she said. “It might seem like a normal day at work for me, but itcan greatly benefit a community’s health.”Professor McKenna has seen the relationship between Villanovaand Chulucanas grow and expects that the bonds willcontinue to deepen, with benefits for all involved.“When we come back, the community knows the Villanovanurses and values the students.” 24 Villanova MAGAZINe FALL 2012