YSU Nursing students participate in annual medical mission trip to Mexico  

A group of Youngstown State University Nursing students and faculty are preparing for a medical mission trip to Mexico, March 13 to 19, as part of a course in study abroad in health and human services.

For the past 10 years, each spring semester, students have traveled to San Quintin, Mexico, where the nursing students set up and run a clinic in a small rural church. With residents of the fishing-farming town having little access to health care, the YSU delegation will be an important part of a medical team that treats the underserved population of this rural community.

In preparation for the trip, the nursing students have been raising funds so that the team can distribute free medications to people who come to the clinic.

Faculty and students participating this year are: Cynthia Shields, professor of Nursing; Pamela Schuster, professor of Nursing; Alyssa Blosser, sophomore; Carly Greenwood, junior; Kaitlyn Kalicatzaros, junior; Maggie Lauer, junior; Jayme Ritchie, junior; Emily Shields, junior; Jennifer Troutman, junior; and Mary Wardle, junior.

Spanish linguistics interpreting/translation graduate students from Kent State and other team members, in various disciplines, from around the country will join the YSU delegation.

The group collaborates with Good Hope Lutheran Church in Boardman, St. Timothy Church in San Diego, The Fountain of Living Waters Church in San Quintin and the Mexican Ministry of Health.