Working through complex issues
Each first Tuesday in June, Professor of Nursing Lora Wyss, Ph.D., (pictured right) invites a dozen or so nursing and pre-med students to meet her just 12.6 miles north of Malone's campus for a cross-cultural experience that opens their eyes, hearts, and minds.
For a full day, Dr. Wyss, the students, and alumni nurses, physicians, and translators offer tuberculosis tests, vision and hearing exams, and provide other general medical services to some of the nearly 400 men and women - and their families - who come from Georgia, Texas, Florida, and Mexico to plant, tend, and harvest crops during Hartville, Ohio's growing season.
Almost 15 years ago, Dr. Wyss started bringing students to a migrant clinic in Hartville to offer her students a cross-cultural experience.
"I started with one small thing," says Dr. Wyss. "And before I knew it, I was on the board of directors. And now, I'm president of the board. It's where my heart is. I've grown very close to many of the families we serve, and it's been such an honor to serve here."
Malone students who volunteer at the Hartville Migrant Clinic are also exposed to a collaborative effort of many institutions, says Wyss - volunteers also help from Aultman Hospital, North Canton Medical Foundation/Akron Children's Hospital, the Stark County Health Department, Walsh University, Kent State University's graduate program in Spanish translation, and Northeast Ohio Medical University.
"Students start out with perceptions about a free clinic," said Dr. Wyss. "'Oh, it's going to be scary and dirty.' We help them get past their perceptions and once students get to know their clients, they grow. Some students have even visited clients in their homes before. Students keep journals, and they are usually nervous at first, but they grow so much through the process and just learn so much about themselves and other people. It becomes very meaningful for them."
Alexandra Wilthew '14 (pictured left) enjoys helping at the clinic. A Spanish speaker, she was able to calm a toddler who was getting a hearing test done.
As students graduate and take jobs in the community, many even take vacation days to come and volunteer, like Joe Conway '13, a nurse practitioner at Canton Aultman Emergency Physicians.
Victoria Chavez '11 (pictured right), has volunteered at the clinic as a Spanish translator. Chavez works with immigrants in the city of Canton as well, with alumni Dustin '07 and Jamie White '10, as they help Spanish-speaking newcomers become adjusted to life in America.
Josiah Smith '15, a resident of Hartville, is a pre-med student and soccer player whose brother volunteered with the Hartville Migrant Clinic before attending school to become a physician's assistant, and encouraged Josiah to do the same.
"I've always liked helping people, so this is something I've wanted to do," said Smith. "It's been a really neat experience and helps me prepare for a career in primary care and family practice."
In addition to helping students learn more about medicine, students also encounter complex political issues to think through, such as healthcare and immigration.
"Meeting and getting to know migrants puts a face on immigration," said Dr. Wyss. "It helps students understand that these issues are a whole lot more complex than they originally thought and opens their eyes to what is happening in our world."
Next June, on that first Tuesday of the month, you will again find Dr. Lora Wyss - along with current and former students - developing relationships characterized by love, compassion, and service to others. She'll be hugging her friends she hasn't seen in nine months, and carefully observing her students to help them serve with competency and grace, despite language barriers and cultural differences.
Dr. Wyss will be, once again, modeling for her students how to live their Tuesdays. And all their other days.