WSU Faculty-Led Guatemala: Hearts in Motion - Spokane Interprofessional Outreach Program

This program is an opportunity for students to work with the non-profit organization, Hearts in Motion, whose mission is to provide care and medical treatment for children, families, and communities through its programs and sponsorships in the U.S., and Central and South America. Their goal is to provide opportunities for individuals to partcipate in short-term mission experiences. The impact of the experience on each student is at least as great as the impact on the lives of the people they touch. Many lives are changed. Hearts in Motion works to complement resources already in place while respecting the culture of those whose lives are touched.
This particular mission includes four main activities, and students are expected to participate in all of them in some way, be it as translators or helpers: Cleft Lip and Palate / Plastic surgery, medical and dental clinics, ongoing construction in the HIM nutrition center, and work at the school and day-care center. In August, followup with the children who received surgeries, as well as visit and consult with rehabilitation centers, senior centers, a nutrition center and special education programs.
Dr. Mark Paxton, a Spokane Oral & Maxillofacial surgeon and a WSU alum, has been working with Hearts in Motion, a non-profit organization that works in Central America, for over 25 years providing surgeries for children with craniofacial anomalies. Dr. Paxton was instrumental in getting his alma mater involved with HIM by bringing students to volunteer in Zacapa, Guatemala over their March spring break. In addition to the focus of cleft lip and palate repairs, there are also dental and medical clinics provided. The depth and scope of this trip has increased every year.  Students in health studies, such as nursing, dental hygeine, speech language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and nutrition are all encouraged to apply for this unique interprofessional opportunity.