Student Life

International Experiences – Jamaican A Difference

 

URI pharmacy students and Dr. Kelly Matson led by Courtney Barnas (Class of 2014, College of Pharmacy) completed a pharmacy mission trip over winter break 2013.  They traveled from Kingston, Rhode Island to Kingston, Jamaica for a week in January to provide pharmacy education to caregivers from the Mustard Seed Communities (MSC).
MSC is a community organization that cares for over 600 children who have mental and physical disabilities and also children who are affected by HIV or AIDS.  Pharmacy students held several workshops to educate on proper medication administration, adherence and recording keeping, as well as, to educate on basic physical assessment skills.  They also provided a HIV treatment and medication use workshop and educated caregivers on dosing, side effects, and drug interactions from the MSC Medication Formulary the students developed for each orphanage.  Additionally with the help of family and friends, the group was able to donate hundreds of office, medical, and baby care supplies, as well as, toiletries, toys and clothes for the children in need.