Project C.U.R.E Clinics Team Treats More Than One Thousand Patients in Ahafo, Ghana
On my way to my first clinics trip in Ghana with Project C.U.R.E, I already felt at home. Our team consisted of:
- 2 doctors
- 1 physician’s assistant
- 2 paramedics
- 8 nurses
- 1 who endearingly referred to herself as our “medical friend”
We all quickly became close and worked together seamlessly to treat 1,026 Ghanaian patients at five different clinic sites in the Ahafo region. What I admired the most about our team was our openness with each other. Despite different ages, stages of life, and backgrounds, we all seemed to find something meaningful to connect with each other, whether it was a crazy story from our current jobs back at home or dancing the night away at a restaurant in Accra, it truly felt like we were cut from the same cloth.
My Experience Delivering Healthcare in Ghana
Our team connection proved to be vital to our job at hand. As one of the triage nurses, I had the privilege of getting to know the patients that came into our clinic, learning about their life, their families, and their medical problems. With the help of an eager nursing student who interpreted for me, I was instantly inspired by the people and felt truly connected to their positive spirit. Despite their living conditions, laborious jobs, and lack of resources, they seemed to be the happiest people I’ve ever met. Their smiles were contagious, especially when listening to my sad attempts at Twi, and their gratefulness for our care truly warmed my heart.
I knew going in that I was going to give back to a community in need, but I had no idea that this community would help restore my faith in humanity, remind me why I chose nursing, and touch my heart in such a meaningful way. I felt challenged by the work we were doing, and the feeling of accomplishment and humility was unparalleled. Thanks to Project C.U.R.E and my fearless team, I’m already thinking about which C.U.R.E. Clinics trip I want to do next!
Menstruation Education for the Girls of Ghana
A couple of my colleagues also had the opportunity to provide education and resources to over 200 young girls to help reduce the stigma and limitations surrounding menstruation, a program created by Days for Girls.
About the Author:
My name is Courtney Graetzer, and I’m a nurse in the Medical ICU at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. I started volunteering with Project C.U.R.E a year ago writing blog posts and newsletter articles as a creative outlet. I’ve always been interested in going on a Clinics trip and was instantly inspired after interviewing a few nurses who had just returned from India with Project C.U.R.E. They became such close friends and had already planned their next trip, and I was so excited to have a similar experience while in Ghana. I am so thankful that I was able to combine my love for travel with my profession on this trip, and Project C.U.R.E was the perfect organization to help me do that!
Looking to Travel with Purpose?
Learn More About our International Clinics Trips
We are always accepting applications for C.U.R.E. Clinics trips! If you are an interested medical provider (physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants) or a medical professional, please email us at [email protected].
