Tampa, FL (Dec. 15, 2006) - Thirty-five USF Health students--members of the International Health Service Collaborative (IHSC) -- and two physicians depart Dec. 16 for La Sabana, Dominican Republic, where they will help construct new latrines. "Many families in this community do not have latrines and of the families that do, their latrines are either not working or in very poor condition," said participant Ga Le, a first-year medical student.

During the weeklong trip, the students plan to build chicken coops to help provide a sustainable source of nutrition, distribute anti-parasitic medication to help alleviate diarrheal disease, and provide basic health education on such topics as water safety, first aid, fecal oral routes of bacterial transmission, and safe ergonomic practices. They will be accompanied and supervised by Dr. Beata Casanas and Dr. Robert Casanas, who will direct a small clinic in La Sabana.

\"By improving the sanitation conditions within this community we hope to reduce and prevent the amount of fecal-oral transmitted bacterial infections. Generally, we would like to offer the community a healthier standard of living through education and provision of basic health needs." Le said. "This trip provides invaluable international experience and the empowering idea that together, alongside our colleagues in health, we can make a difference if we unite under a common goal to promote sustainable health solutions for our global community."ÝÝ

Jane Mai, College of Public Health graduate, first-year medical student and IHSC President, summed it up. "This is the first international service trip for IHSC where the participants include ALL the disciplines in USF Health," she said. "We hope to not only make a difference abroad, but also come away with an unforgettable and rewarding experience."

This initiative follows up other successful IHSC projects in the Dominican Republic and Ecuador over the last year. The IHSC is a group of USF Health students, faculty, and professionals who promote sustainable health projects in underserved communities within the United States and developing nations.