IMO Trips
Throughout the year, International Medical Outreach offers UCF students opportunities to travel, volunteer, and experience different cultures. Some of our trips are consistent from year to year, such as Haiti and New Orleans. Other trips are centered around shadowing doctors in other countries to observe and learn. These trips differ each year and Colombia and Peru are shadowing trips IMO has done in the past. Check out the information below for more on each trip!
Haiti
Twice a year, IMO would travel to the South-Eastern region of Haiti to set up a clinic that offers free health care for the community of Mare-Brignol. With the help of Haitian doctors, we are able to see around 600 patients and offer them the medical attention that they would not have otherwise had access to. In addition to the days we spend in the clinic, our team hosts workshops for the community with a focus on preventative healthcare to teach topics such as nutrition, cardiovascular health, and hygiene. Our partner with Vitamin Angels has allowed us to give vitamin A to the children, helping to prevent eye diseases that accompany vitamin A deficiency.
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Due to unforeseen circumstances, IMO has been unable to travel back to Haiti since December 2019. Thankfully, IMO has been able to still fulfill our mission with Haiti from afar through donations we send regularly and the completion of building a pharmacy.
Learn more about Vitamin Angels
Learn more about our research project
Brazil
During Summers of 2022 and 2023, IMO shadowed doctors over the course of three days and continued to observe and learn about the healthcare system in their country. Excitingly, they saw numerous surgeries which gave members the opportunity to learn more about the patient-physician relationship. This trip also included a visit to a retirement home, where members created memories that the residents surely will not forget.
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Aside from volunteering, members were also able to participate in engaging extracurricular activities.
New Orleans
IMO travels to New Orleans, LA two times a year to volunteer at the Magnolia Community. Here, our members are able to spend the week with adults with developmental disabilities. IMO has also volunteered with Green Light New Orleans to help reduce the environmental footprint of homes and Garden on Marais to give back to the community.
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Learn more about Magnolia Community
Peru
During spring break 2019, IMO traveled to Peru to shadow and volunteer. At Hospital Sabogal del Callao, we were able to observe oncology and plastic surgery and learn about radiology, vitals, and diagnostic techniques. In addition to shadowing, we were able to visit schools throughout Lima and volunteer with the National Institute of Child Health to hand out donations at the children's hospital. IMO is excited to head back to Peru in Winter 2022!
Colombia
In May of 2022, IMO traveled to Colombia on a mission trip to provide medical care to the local population. We were given the opportunity to shadow physicians and interact with other health care professionals. In addition to volunteering at Institutó Neurologicó de Colombia, we also expanded our knowledge on cultural awareness by interacting with local residents.
Puerto Rico
During Spring Break of 2023, IMO traveled to Puerto Rico on a mission trip to volunteer at Casa Ronald McDonald and San Jorge's Children Hospital . IMO was able to help by sorting clothes and toys, painting buildings, and any additional assistance needed by the staff. We were also given the opportunity to engage with the community and provide them an educational health workshop.
