What did you do during your summer vacation? If you were Cornell College juniors, Elinor Handlin and Samantha See, you traveled halfway around the world, spent twelve hours days at a hospital, and volunteered for a week-long medical mission that restored mobility through joint replacement surgery.
Operation Walk has had a long-standing partnership with Cornell College and its pre-healthcare program, Dimensions. Cornell College being Dr. Dorr’s undergrad alma mater, he wanted to involve students at the ground level, experiencing healthcare in its truest form. These two incredible young women applied to the program and were rewarded with a week’s worth of hands-on learning, seeing each part of our organization in action.
Patient screening, unpacking and repacking cargo, warehouse organization, shadowing anesthesia, physical therapy, internal medicine, observing surgery, patient interaction, and documentation; these were all experiences both Sam and Elinor were able to experience firsthand. Both women are inspired to join the medical field, Elinor in orthotics, prosthesis research and development and Samantha in nursing. Here’s how this experience has inspired them:
“My first time off the North American continent, this experience has been really exciting. Meeting all of the people from Tanzania, who are all so welcoming and kind made a lasting impression on me. Getting to know the nurses, surgeons, physician assistants, the ortho techs, implant reps, people in the warehouse and the volunteers was amazing. They are incredible people who care so much about our patients and their families.
One of the highlights of my trip was working with the Physical Therapists during patient rehabilitation. They were awesome and I loved watching the patients take their first steps and grow in confidence with each round of therapy. I appreciate you all and give my thanks for letting me be a part of this mission.”
-Elinor Handlin
“I would like to start out by saying, thank you Dr. Dorr. Without him thinking back to his undergraduate education, neither Elinor nor I would be here for this mission. It’s really exciting that this opportunity was something he cared so passionately about.
Thank you to the team for being so welcoming to us both. I had an amazing experience and it was because of you. This mission was extremely rewarding and I hope I continue to do missions like this in the future.”
-Samantha See
Thank you both for taking a leap of faith, stepping outside of your comfort zones and hitting the ground running. Your enthusiasm and hard work inspired us all and made an impact on both patients and volunteers alike. Best of luck to you in your upcoming studies and futures.