A team of faculty and staff from Utah Valley University (UVU) recently traveled to the Dominican Republic as part of an initiative in collaboration with La Universidad Católica Santo Domingo (USCD) to provide emergency medical services (EMS) training. Led by faculty members Jeannette Vargas German, Steve Allred, and Ben Williams, the project aims to offer clinical experiences for UVU students, deliver critical medical training to local communities, and foster cultural exchange.
The Dominican Republic EMS project has been in development for four years, initiated through Jeannette Vargas German's professional connections with the Dominican Republic. After extensive planning and coordination, the team recently conducted a site visit to solidify partnerships and assess training needs.
Their objectives included three key goals: providing US students with clinical experiences that count toward their required hours and skills development, delivering service projects that include CPR and medical training for local communities, and offering cultural immersion opportunities to enrich students' understanding of global healthcare practices.
Steve Allred
Jeannette vargas German
Ben Williams
For me, it’s really opened my eyes in regards to what patient care can look like in other places... being able to step into someone else’s shoes.
To get to experience both EMS and hospital work in a different country, to see how they operate... has been super beneficial for me.
