Health through Walls

Event Details

Team I-PhiT Medical Mission: Bringing Healthcare Learning to the Dominican Republic

( August 11-13, 2025 )

Team I-PhiT Medical Mission: Bringing Healthcare Learning to the Dominican Republic

Introduction: Expanding Nursing Education Beyond Borders

The Team I-PhiT study abroad nursing program in the Dominican Republic was more than an academic excursion — it was a life-changing global health nursing trip. In partnership with the National Evangelical University (UNEV) College of Nursing (BSN Program) and Health Through Walls our team immersed itself in local hospitals, surgical suites, clinics, and correctional facilities to understand healthcare delivery from a global perspective.

This mission incorporated not only hands-on nursing skills training abroad, but also critical exposure to community health in underserved populations, particularly through the Health Through Walls initiative.

Day One: First Steps in Santiago – Hospital & Skills Lab

Our international nursing experience began in Santiago, where we connected with UNEV faculty members: Professor Grisell López (RN) and Dr. David Odige (DNP, RN).

Clinical Observation at HOSPIMED Hospital

We toured and observed operating rooms at HOSPIMED, a regional surgical hospital. This experience offered a unique comparison to U.S. clinical environments, challenging us to appreciate the creativity and adaptability required in resource-limited healthcare systems.

We witnessed:



  • Surgical prep and aseptic technique




  • Post-anesthesia care workflow




  • Multidisciplinary teamwork under time and resource constraints



Skills Lab & Post-Conference Reflection

The day concluded with focused skills lab sessions, where we practiced wound care, assessments, and procedural prep. Post-conference discussions helped us debrief and reflect on clinical and cultural lessons learned.


Day Two: Expanding Horizons in Santo Domingo – Specialty Clinics & Suturing

Traveling to Santo Domingo, we spent the day at MD Ojos, a specialty clinic with a focus on surgical and outpatient procedures.

Surgical Exposure & Specialty Practice

This phase of our global health nursing trip emphasized specific clinical techniques and medical specialties not often encountered in basic BSN training.

Hands-On Suturing and Wound Care Training

We engaged in nursing skills training abroad, guided by:



  • Dr. Suazo (MD) – Suturing and tissue repair techniques




  • Dr. Jenny Cabrera (MD) – Wound cleaning, dressing, and infection control



Each student participated in supervised hands-on stations, boosting confidence and precision in clinical technique.

Day Three: Health Through Walls – Community Health in Prisons

Perhaps the most impactful part of our trip was participating in the Health Through Walls initiative at the Victoria National Penitentiary.

Serving Underserved Populations

Led by Ms. Grace Martinez and Dr. David K. Odige, we explored how healthcare professionals extend care to incarcerated individuals, many of whom lack consistent access to medical services.

Key components of our final day included:



  • Emergency care observation within the facility




  • HIV treatment education and medication delivery programs




  • Tuberculosis (TB) prevention education




  • One-on-one interaction with inmates during care provision



This experience taught us that community health in prisons is not only necessary but integral to holistic public health strategies.

Reflections: A Life-Changing International Nursing Experience

This Dominican Republic medical mission redefined our perspectives on healthcare, cultural competence, and the role of nurses in global health systems.

What We Gained:



  • Real-world experience in global healthcare delivery




  • Enhanced critical nursing skills




  • Greater appreciation for cultural humility and patient dignity




  • New international partnerships in healthcare education



Looking Ahead: Future Nursing Study Abroad Opportunities

Team I-PhiT continues to create study abroad nursing programs designed to prepare students for diverse care environments and humanitarian work. These global health nursing trips help students not only grow professionally but also become agents of compassionate care worldwide.






































👉 Interested in joining our next mission?

Contact us at +1 (305) 954-1337 or follow us on .

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