MSU students arrive in Peru for medical mission

EAST LANSING, Mich. — More than 3,500 miles from home, a group of osteopathic medical students, faculty members and volunteers from Michigan State University have arrived in Peru for a 10-day adventure that will give them hands-on experience in international health.

The 28 students from the College of Osteopathic Medicine arrived today in Trujillo, Peru, where they will spend the first few days of their trip visiting a medical school and hospital. Then it is on to Huamachuco, a village nestled in the Andes Mountains, where the group will operate a clinic and also make visits throughout the village to provide medical care and treatment.

Members of MSU's Big Ten Network are traveling to Peru along with the group, documenting the trip and providing updates. Students also will provide photos and blogs; all content will be updated in real-time at http://special.news.msu.edu/peru/index.html.

The group is traveling with more than $100,000 worth of medical supplies that will help them provide much-needed medical care to villagers. The July 31 to Aug. 11 trip is being led by Gary Willyerd, associate dean for the college's Detroit campus.

Medical student Hailey Wouters, one of the student advisers for the trip, is making her first international medical trip.

"I'm excited because I know the Peru trip will provide us with a great opportunity to use our medical skills to serve people in need," Wouters said before departing for Peru. "My hope is that this trip inspires us all to help those who are less fortunate as we progress in our professional careers."

Medical student Veronica Esmero added: "This trip is a unique opportunity to experience a new culture and provide medical care to those without access."

MSU has a continuing presence in Huamachuco, from the medical trips to other research endeavors, including efforts by College of Engineering students to build a solar water heater for the hospital in Huamachuco to studying water quality issues.

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