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, Guatemala Dates: July 11-18, 2009 Teams  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 DateActivity Saturday, July 11Arrive in Guatemala City, bus to Santa Cruz del Quiche Sunday, July 12See patients/schedule surgeries Monday, July 13Begin surgeries Thursday, July 16Finish procedures Friday, July 17Free day Saturday, July 18Return home

Cost $1,500 per student Fee includes airfare, local transportation, all meals, housing, medical staffs’ fees Also 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 $ Round-trip flight $520 Total $ Nurses Number of nurses 8 Nurse Agape fee $1, Nurse Flights $4, Pre-Med Society Donation $ Total Nurse Flights Minus Fee from$1, Students & Pre-Med Society Per Nurse Total $ Students Number of students 4 Nurse Agape Fee Per Student $ Nurse Flights Per Student $1, Extra Fee $ 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