All of these photos are from 2014 
Students had the chance to meet with doctors, dentists, nurses, public health care workers and health care administrators while we were in Costa Rica.
In the Children’s Hospital, this nurse was happy to show off a healthy newborn baby.
The symbol of the health care system in Costa Rica is a mother and baby. In Costa Rica, the bond between the mother and child is valued and greatly supported.
The San Rafel Hospital had a beautiful butterfly garden for their patients to enjoy. Our visit there was also a highlight for many students.
A favorite activity for many students was shadowing the public health care workers in the village of Los Juntas. In the below photo a patient is having her blood pressure checked outside of her home. She also received a flu vaccination. The public health care worker also made sure all of the children were up to date on their vaccinations.
Most of the patients we visited with ate a very healthy diet consisting of rice, beans, protein and fresh vegetables. In the below photo you can see a car trunk filled with local fresh vegetables. People are able to buy vegetables right outside of their door.
In the village of Los Juntas the community was building a skate ramp in an effort to keep their young population active and healthy.
The public health workers took time to explain to us what they were doing after each home visit. They were very patient answering all of our questions!
We enjoyed going on a home visit outside of the town of Los Juntas, and presenting the family with a walker. Durable Medical Equipment, such as walkers and wheelchairs are not given to patients for free in Costa Rica. This patient could not afford a walker, and he was very grateful. Thank you to Mount Nittany Medical Center for donating the walker and wheelchair.
Rice and Beans are a normal diet, and we found them cooking on many stoves!
In the mountain town of Monte Verde we learned about Tele Medicine and how a remote clinic functions.
On our way to Mote Verde we enjoyed a scheduled stop at a local school where we donated some needed items.
Students enjoyed learning about the economy and the importance of tourism in Costa Rica.
An optional activity was to learn about the cloud forest in Monte Verde by participating in a zip line adventure.
