To prepare for a week-long research trip, students complete the Health Science 380: International Health Care - Field Research course. The class studies the health care structure, systems and delivery in a country outside the United States. The Fall ‘21 section studied Costa Rica for their January journey.
“The underlying goal is to get students outside the classroom and push their boundaries. We give them an opportunity to spread their wings and be uncomfortable. A lot of health care is uncomfortable,” said Clinical Associate Professor of Health Science Studies Jason Scozzofava, who has led trips for the past four years.
Once in the remote village of Corozalito, students conducted health screenings, gathered research from water tests and set up training areas. The class also donated an AED unit, provided by non-profit In a Heartbeat.
“One of the village elders, who always welcomed our Quinnipiac team into his home, played music for us and spoke to the students about his culture, died of cardiac arrest last summer. The village was devastated, and I spoke with the village leaders at length, and they were interested in getting an AED in the village,” said Scozzofava.
A Costa Rican-based group then came to the village and certified four members in CPR and the use of the AED, he said.
Read the Quinnipiac Today article