951 NW 13th St.3E Boca Raton, FL 33486 (561) 864-0298 info@bicolclinic.org

Volunteer: Mary Clausner

Volunteer

Bicol Clinic Foundation, Inc.
Philippines, 2011

My trip to the Philippines was truly amazing. It was an experience that opened my eyes to a new side of the world, the field of medicine, and people in need. Before the trip, I had no interest in medicine; nor did I have any clue about the adversities facing rural populations around the world. Witnessing firsthand the hard work of the doctors in the Bicol Clinic, the dedication of the medical students, and the success of their surgeries and interactions with patients, helped me understand why so many in the United States work hard to get into medical school--to help people in need.

I spent most of my time in the clinic observing doctors or filling prescriptions but one time I was able to help dress a wound in the surgery room, and I thought to myself, "I really wish I would have taken classes to become a nurse." Having graduated recently without any firm plan for my future, I still think about possibly becoming a nurse or taking classes to help broaden my understanding of health and medicine. Though I've experienced much in my short life so far, I've never felt anything like I did in that surgery room in the Bicol Clinic or while teaching Filipino kids volleyball in Bulan.

The volleyball camp was the other inspiring part of the trip. The Filipino children clearly enjoyed the activities of the camp. After the last day, I wanted nothing more than to continue this camp each year and to keep donating volleyballs to the school. I've never seen so many happy and excited faces. We could have played with the children for hours on end, and we noticed improvement over only a few days. I wondered if students in the US would get this excited over something so simple. Probably not. In short, the Filipino people were welcoming and friendly. Sure the scenery wasn't too shabby (amazing hot/cold springs, beaches, volcanoes, picturesque bays, and more) but the people really made this adventure special.

This trip was, overall, one of the most inspiring and life-changing things I have undertaken. The heart of the Bicol Clinic is in the right place-it lies inextricably with the needs and hopes of the Filipino people. I know I will continue my support of this endeavor, and I wish the Clinic and its patients a bright future.

Mary Clausner
Tulane University
Volunteer

Want To Join Our Team?

BCF has dispatched more than 150 medical students, in addition to dozens of American and foreign physicians and nurses, to provide care to more than 75,000 patients in the Philippines, Nepal and Haiti, many of whom had never before seen a physician. Our team members also volunteer in orphanages and schools to extend health care to other aspects of life. We’d love for you to be Part of the Start!

Join Our Team
The application and all additional requirements MUST BE SUBMITTED BY January 21 , 2020.

My first day of medical school at Tulane University, our Dean asked my class to list the qualities that make a great physician. My classmates and I stated qualities such as life-long learning, cultural awareness, dedication, hard working, good communicating skills, team player, and most importantly compassion. Our Dean then went on to explain that none of these qualities would be taught in medical school. Rather, these qualities could be gained only by seeking out opportunities for individual growth outside of medical school. The Bicol Clinic Foundation experience in the Philippines gave me exactly this.

The trip with the Bicol Clinic provided me with more clinical exposure than in my entire first year of medical school. I was exposed to a vast array of medical conditions and learned a great deal about mechanisms of disease, diagnosis, and treatment regiments. The other doctors and students always took time to share interesting cases with us and encouraged us to read more about them.

In addition to the academic side of medicine, this trip also taught me many other important clinical skills. I was able to work on overcoming communication barriers and practice working with translators. I got to know and experience the unique culture and geography of the Philippines that I had never before been exposed to. I appreciated working as a team with doctors, nurses, other medical students, and translators. I was taught the methods of and became comfortable with taking patient histories, performing physical examinations, administering injections, suturing wounds, and much more.

Lastly, the local people of the Bicol region of the Philippines were so kind and thankful, making our efforts both appreciated and fulfilling. I specifically remember the first surgical case that I assisted on in which the young lady brought us mangos to thank us for giver her the medical attention that she would otherwise never have been able to afford. While it was difficult to see some of the tragic and advanced cases of diseases, it was also rewarding to see how much of a positive impact the Bicol Clinic was able to make on the community.

After a grueling year of medical school, this trip really put things in perspective for me, opened my eyes to international medicine, and reminded me of all the things I am working for. The Bicol Clinic Foundation trip to the Philippines was one of the most rewarding and enlightening events of my life, and I inevitably will become a better doctor because of it.

Carolyn Campbell
Tulane University
Medical Student

Carolyn Campbell

2011 View Carolyn' s testimonial