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Charity Beyond Borders (CBB) and the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), under the direction of Drs. Lisa Trujillo (KUMC) and Karen Schell (KUMC), have been providing medical and humanitarian education and assistance throughout Ghana for 11 years. Recognizing the need for respiratory therapists in the country, they have spent the last six years focusing on developing a respiratory therapy bachelor's degree at the University of Ghana. It is believed to be the first bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy in Africa.
While many individuals from several institutions, hospitals and governments have contributed to the program, Dr. Trujillo and Dr. Schell are leading the charge. The duo, both Respiratory Care professors, have been involved every step of the way. They participate in the student selection process and provide lectures, lab experiences and side-by-side clinical interactions while in Ghana.
Global health education offers invaluable learning opportunities that are difficult to replicate. As such, the KUMC Respiratory Care Department is seeking $5,000 to assist with expenses for three junior respiratory students to travel to Ghana in May. While there, they will interact and engage with respiratory therapy students from Ghana in a dynamic and rich learning environment.
Dr. Anthony Kovac, who started the Kovac International Observership Award, and CBB, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing basic healthcare services and health education to the people of Ghana, have teamed up to offer a matching gift challenge. They will match dollar for dollar the first $1,000 to this initiative! “I created the Kovac International Observership Award fund because I feel strongly about Global Health education for students and doctors to observe health care delivery in other parts of the world. The ultimate goal is to aid doctors and students from Peru, Ghana and KUMC.” Charity Beyond Borders has a similar mission. They have made it possible for nearly 200 students and clinicians from across the country to participate by donating their time and talents to the people of Ghana.
Please consider supporting this initiative, and thank you in advance for helping us send KUMC respiratory therapy students to Ghana for this invaluable learning experience.
A donation of $10 can purchase a saturation monitor for student use in a community clinic
A donation of $25 will provide gas and bus travel expenses for one student per day
A donation of $100 will purchase a saturation monitor and automated blood pressure cuff and fund travel and lodging expenses for one student per day