Dominican Republic
Health Outreach Program
January 2-15, 2009
In this program, participants deliver community health services and education while attempting to overcome basic obstacles such as language barriers and different educational and social conditions. Participants are immersed in the culture as they work personally with local partners and with the hundreds of patients who seek out this service. This twice yearly program is directed by USM faculty members Whitney Lutz, Carol Doane, and Ben Towne. Other USM faculty and health professionals assist with the services and learning opportunities.
This service-learning program is open with permission to nursing, health science, and language students. Spanish language proficiency is helpful but not necessary to participate. The program also welcomes community volunteers as translators, medical and health specialists, and community health advocates and supporters. The program requires a substantial planning period prior to the trip with fundraising for health supplies, planning meetings and packing of village health supplies.
Faculty
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Carol Doane, RN, MS is a clinical instructor/lecturer in the College of Nursing and Health Professions and is a family nurse practitioner. Carol has assisted in the Dominican partnership since 1999.
Whitney Lutz, RN, MSN, CPNP-PC is a clinical instructor/lecturer in the College of Nursing and Health Professions and is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner. She teaches in the Lewiston/Auburn campus and has assisted in the Dominican partnership since 2003. Whitney is the director of the Dominican Republic Health Outreach program.
Ben Towne, MA, ATC, is a Lecturer in the Exercise, Health and Sport Sciences Department and also Interim Program Director and Clinical Coordinator of the Athletic Training Education Program. Ben first assisted with the Dominican Republic program in the winter of 2007.
Courses
Students can take a variety of courses while in the Dominican Republic. Academic students should check with the faculty members and ensure that they meet all prerequisites.
NUR 327 DR Community Nursing Partnership II |
4 Cr. |
NUR 419 Community Nursing Partnership for RN in the D.R. |
2 Cr. |
| NUR 436/437 Community Nursing Partnership for Accel B.S. Students | 4 Cr. |
NUR 495 Independent Study in the D.R. |
Var |
CON 495 Independent Study in the D.R. |
Var |
| SPM 499 Athletic Training Service Learning in the D.R. | 3 Cr. |
NUR 538 Community Nursing Partnership - Option Students |
3 Cr. |
NUR 595 Independent Study in the DR |
Var |
CON 595 Independent Study in the DR |
Var |
SPA 399 Spanish Language in the DR |
3 Cr. |
The cost for the Dominican Republic program is $643. The fee includes housing and food while providing clinical services, scheduled in-country travel, site visits and a one-day excursion to an ocean-side town.
Not included in this program are items such as airfare, books, passports, academic supplies, tuition, regular academic fees, immunizations, health insurance, food while on the one-day excursion, and other personal expenses. Airfare on the group flight is approximately $515 but is subject to change based on tax and fuel surcharges.
Short-term travel programs have special tuition rates for out-of-state students. The out-of-state tuition rate is equal to the in-state tuition rate. For more information please contact the Winter Session Office.
Application
A complete application includes all of the following and is due to the Office of International Programs by September, 29:
* Signed, completed application form
* $200 non-refundable deposit (applied to the program cost)
* Typed 200-word essay
* A letter of recommendation from a faculty member or academic advisor
* Proof of Medical Insurance **
* Official copies of all academic transcripts
Incomplete applications will not be accepted. You will be notified by e-mail of your application status. If your application is not accepted, the nonrefundable deposit will be returned. If the program is canceled for any reason by the USM, all deposits will be returned.
* If you are having trouble downloading the application, please contact us at (207) 780-4959 or e-mail the webmaster and we will send you one. You may also want to try upgrading to the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.
** Medical insurance is required for all travel programs. A photocopy of your insurance provider ID card is sufficient documentation. Students without medical insurance may be granted provisional acceptance, with a requirement that they purchase short term medical insurance. Please call the Office of International Programs at 780-4959 for more information.
Admissions
Short-term travel programs are open to any student who meets the academic prerequisites of the course and has at least 15 credit hours of university instruction. You must have a minimum of a 2.0 GPA to participate in any travel abroad program or carry the permission of the instructor. All participants require final approval by the faculty member. The University of Southern Maine also reserves the right to review conduct records as part of our application process and student conduct records are taken into account when making the determination on an applicant. Individual programs may have specific academic requirements not listed here.
Financial Aid
Federal financial aid and loans are available to matriculated students who participate in travel programs. In order to receive the benefit of financial aid, students must be enrolled for a minimum of 6 credits during the summer. Please apply as early as possible. If you have questions about financial aid, please contact the financial aid office at (207) 780-4166. If you are not a matriculated student at USM, please check with the financial aid office at your institution.
Scholarships
USM undergraduate and graduate students who have completed Spanish courses and have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 may apply for the Dorothy B. Padula Memorial Fund Scholarship. Demonstrated financial need is not required, but may be considered. Applications are considered twice during the fall semester. Students may apply by October 5th or November 9th.
Students may also seek scholarships through external sources. The following two organizations have study abroad scholarship databases: IIE Passport: Study Abroad Scholarship Database and Transitions Abroad: Study Abroad Funding Web Sites
Pre-Departure Orientation
Short-term international study programs have a mandatory pre-departure orientation to help prepare you for your program. The pre-departure meeting will be scheduled in the fall and cover issues including travel tips, student safety, conduct, and medical concerns.You may download the pre-departure orientation in PowerPoint. Be sure to view it in "Notes" format for more information.
All accepted students also receive a copy of our pre-departure manual.
Program Policies
Student Conduct
Participants in short-term travel programs are expected to conduct themselves in a mature and responsible fashion. Any violation of the University of Maine System Student Conduct Code may be sufficient grounds for dismissal from the program. If dismissed, a participant forfeits all payments and deposits and is responsible for his or her own return as well as other fees associated with their dismissal. USM does consider prior student conduct records when making acceptance decisions.
Cancellation Policy
USM reserves the right to cancel the program due to low enrollment, changing political or economic factors, unusual circumstances or any other event which would dramatically impact the nature of the course or the ability of the faculty to conduct such a course. If USM cancels the course due to low enrollment, the non-refundable deposit and any payments made toward the program will be refunded to the student. Other costs incurred by the student will not be subject to refunds.
Medical Insurance
Medical insurance is required for all travel programs. Students without medical insurance may be granted provisional acceptance, with a requirement that they purchase short term medical insurance. Please call the Office of International Programs at (207) 780-4959 for more information.
