Medical mission to Mexico seeks to expand efforts

YOUNGSTOWN — Local organizers of a medical mission to Mexico this summer say they want to serve as a clearinghouse for similar trips by others.

The group also plans to go back to Mexico and expand efforts to Africa.

Dr. Pamela McHugh Schuster, professor of nursing at Youngstown State University, led the one-week mission to San Quintin, Mexico, last month.

A total of 23 people made the trip, including YSU nursing students and faculty and area medical personnel. Each paid $800 to participate in setting up a medical clinic in the poverty stricken area.

“The need is so tremendous,” Schuster said, adding that the plan now is to train and coordinate additional teams to make the same effort.

It would be a combined effort by YSU and area nurses and doctors, she said, noting that the group is working with YSU’s international studies department on the coordination/training idea.

The goal would be to expand participation beyond nursing students to include Spanish students, dietary students, dental hygienist students and others, she said.

Read more in Sunday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com