ACADEMY FOR FUTURE INTERNATIONAL LEADERS

APRIL 23, 2009

Texas A&M International Summer Surgery Program

Overview

The Texas A&M International Summer Surgery Program is a one-week surgical mission trip designed to give undergraduate students the opportunity to gain valuable experience directly assisting surgeons in the O.R.

The goals of the program are to teach students the importance of helping those who need it most and help students understand global health issues and the problems with health care systems in underdeveloped areas.

Agape in Action

Agape in Action is a mission founded in Guatemala that hosts international surgical teams

They will provide lodging, transportation, and connection to the local hospital

Trip Details

Santa Cruz del Quiche, GuatemalaDates: July 11-18, 2009Teams

3 teams: OB/GYN, Plastics, General Surgery 6-7 people per team: 1-2 surgeons, 1-2 students,

~3 nurses, 1 anesthesiologist Total: 4 students, 4 surgeons, 8 nurses, 2

anesthesiologists

Students will scrub in and directly assist surgeons in their procedures

Trip Itinerary

Date Activity

Saturday, July 11 Arrive in Guatemala City, bus to Santa Cruz del Quiche

Sunday, July 12 See patients/schedule surgeries

Monday, July 13 Begin surgeries

Thursday, July 16 Finish procedures

Friday, July 17 Free day

Saturday, July 18 Return home

Cost

$1,500 per studentFee includes airfare, local transportation, all

meals, housing, medical staffs’ feesAlso includes extra costs to help alleviate the

price for nurses to travel.Provided students with solicitation letters to

send to family, friends, and businesses.

Cost Table

Per Person

Agape daily fee   $22.50

Number of days   7

Total Agape fee   $157.50

Round-trip flight   $520

Total   $677.50

Nurses

Number of nurses   8

Nurse Agape fee   $1,260.00

Nurse Flights   $4,160.00

Pre-Med Society Donation   $800.00

Total Nurse Flights Minus Fee from $1,360.00

Students & Pre-Med Society    

Per Nurse Total   $170.00

Students

Number of students   4

Nurse Agape Fee Per Student   $315.00

Nurse Flights Per Student   $1,040.00

Extra Fee   $500.00

Per Student Total   $1,492.50

Application Process

Requirements: Current Pre-Med Society member U3 or U4 classification by Fall 2009 semester Overall GPA of at least 3.25 Good standing with University

Documents: One-page application Official University transcript Two letters of recommendation One-page personal statement Copy of passport

Problems

Recruiting professionals (surgeons, nurses, etc.) Short notice, lack of interest, etc. Lack of planning (supplies, funds, etc.)

Supplies Lacked knowledge to create supplies list Where to find necessary supplies and how to transport

Students Only received four applications Most likely due to short notice and multiple

requirements

Solution

Joined with OB/GYN team Recruited Dr. Mark Schusterman as our trip mentor Spoke with another team traveling to Guatemala Had necessary supplies Had multiple surgeons and nurses They needed anesthesiologist, which we had recruited Also needed funds, which our students help provide Changed their trip dates to ours Mission will help obtain and transport supplies

Use Medical Bridges to donate supplies