The Nicaragua Service Learning Project
For
the past several years, faculty from the University of Florida Department
of Physical Therapy have taken physical therapy students to Managua, Nicaragua.
These faculty and students
teach one course each year on a topic relevant to physical therapy practice,
ranging from proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) techniques
to shoulder impingement. The success of these trips is a result of the combined
efforts of numerous individuals who helped translate teaching material,
donate equipment for distribution (medical supplies and toys for pediatric
clinics), and provide monetary donations to offset travel expenses.
Our mission is to improve the quality of physical therapy care in Nicaragua
by providing in-depth, hands-on instructional courses for professors and
local clinicians. These courses combine instruction with patient treatment
in hospitals and local clinics and are designed to enhance the
content
of the current curriculum and standards of physical therapy practice in
Nicaragua. We hope that by educating the “educators” we will
have the greatest impact on the standards of practice throughout the country.
This opportunity also exposes physical therapy students to clinical practice
in developing countries and offers students a unique educational experience
that stimulates creativity, enhances an awareness of cultural barriers,
and often encourages students to seek out additional opportunities to share
their professional knowledge.
View more photos
Terese Chmielewski, PhD, PT
Attn: Nicaragua Project
Department of Physical Therapy
Box 100154
Gainesville, FL 32610
tchmiele@phhp.ufl.edu
How You Can Help: Supply Donations [pdf]; Translate written teaching material
Links of Interest: Health Volunteers Overseas
