The Haiti Clinical Service Learning program is an opportunity for students in the College of Health Professions to experience the country of Haiti, specifically its health delivery model. In rural Haiti, people are also seen in local clinics, triaged and treated by doctors, nurses and community health workers. Sometimes they are sent to the hospital by motorbike or truck (a “tap tap”) but only if the transportation can be paid for. In the Bon Samaritan clinic, a local doctor provides diagnosis and treatment once a week and she also strives to provide health education to the patients. The role of the visiting team is to assess children and adults for occupational therapy needs including orthotics, assistive devices and provide patient and family education. 

Program The Haiti program is planned to expose students to global health issues, cultural awareness and competence, social justice and healthcare development. A team of 2-3 faculty and 5-10 students travel once per year to Gros Morne, Haiti. The program combines service to the community with an opportunity for research, clinical reasoning and reflective thinking. The groups provide free healthcare clinics to the underserved populations in this rural area. Our intention is to serve targeted community needs based on assessments with local leaders; collaborate with the local community; and integrate our missions into our health professions curriculum. Working alongside Haitian healthcare providers and students on patients with diseases often not seen in the U.S like polio, tuberculosis of the spine and hydrocephalus, any visiting student will learn the value of evaluating and treating children and adults with severe disabilities without the resources available in the United States. The Haiti clinical service learning program is open to PY2 Occupational Therapy students for either fieldwork or capstone credits. There will be up to three MANDATORY pre-trip orientation sessions.  Each session will provide in-depth details about the program including exercises in cultural sensitivity, what to expect in a developing country, and clinic information. Students will experience that week’s Level I fieldwork hours in Haiti and will not be required to make-up hours stateside for that week missed.    Faculty Sheelagh M. Schlegel MPH, OTR/L Center for Healthcare Education N122  Phone: (203) 365-4773 Email: schlegels@sacredheart.edu   Accommodations Housing type: hotel Meals: three meals per day and purified water are provided All meals are provided and included as part of the program fee.  You are responsible for your own snacks, if desired.   Costs Fall 2021 Program Costs The total program cost due to Sacred Heart University is $1,985 $815 confirmation fee, $1,100 program fee, $35 application fee, and $35 emergency fund fee Payment Due Dates: Upon acceptance- $815 CHP confirmation fee, $35 emergency fund fee and $35 application fee (via check payable to SHU - Mail to Molly Higbie, Assistant Director of Global Health Programs 5151 Park Ave Fairfield, CT 06825 or drop off at CHE N104) or by credit card August 1st- $1,100 balance (payment by check made payable to SHU - Mail to Molly Higbie, Assistant Director of Global Health Programs 5151 Park Ave Fairfield, CT 06825 or drop off at CHE N104) or by credit card PROGRAM FEE INCLUDES: Program orientation, international airfare from NY area, U.S. and local ground transportation from NY area, housing in a shared hotel room, all meals and potable drinking water, program excursions, and mandatory basic international health and evacuation insurance. PROGRAM FEE DOES NOT INCLUDE:  Snacks, major medical insurance, visa/resident permit fees if required, and all personal expenses.     Excursions A day trip to hospital or pediatric clinic. Sightseeing in Cap Haitien. Scholarships The Ellie Weinsten Scholarship is available to all students traveling to either Haiti or Guatemala. Details are in the Occupational Therapy Program Student Manual.   Be sure to check the CHP/CON Fundraising Guide Sept 2017 for additional scholarship information.     Contact Meggie Adorno Assistant Director of Global Health Programs Phone: 203-365-4509 Email: adornom2@mail.sacredheart.edu Location: College of Health Professions - CHE N257   Location Gros Morne, Haiti   Duration Dates: TBD Day One - Travel to Haiti; Orientation Days Two - Four: Prep day Day Three -Five – Excursion Day Six – Clinic wrap-up Day Seven – Travel to Cap Haitien/Sightseeing Day Eight – Travel to U.S. Please note the itinerary is subject to change.