Podiatry and Nursing Students Head to U.S.-Mexico Border

For Leticia Juarez, a third year student at the California School of Podiatric Medicine, the annual trip to San Ysidro is a bit of homecoming.

Juarez grew up in Southern California and lived in the small town for a few of her teenage years.

But later this week, on April 9 and 10, she’ll be among 35 students and faculty from Samuel Merritt University who will make the yearly trip to provide free health services for the underserved residents who live near the U.S.-Mexico border.

“Growing up in that community I saw how people didn’t want to reach out for help,” Juarez said. “First it was the language barrier (most speak only Spanish). Then it was the money – they didn’t want to go to doctor because they couldn’t afford it.”

The experience put Juarez on a path to becoming a healthcare provider.

“I felt like I wanted to learn about medicine so one day I could help my family and community,” she said.

This is the third year Juarez will attend the weekend visit to the Centro Romero Community Center, where SMU has visited eight consecutive years. Along with 25 podiatric medicine students, 3 students from the family nurse practitioner program will attend as well.

Last year (see video above), students treated close to 200 patients.

“Many people feel oppressed that we don’t have services here,” said Dr. Carlos J. Correa Bernier, Director of Education and Immersions Programs. “We don’t have a clinic in the community; we don’t have a hospital in the community. Many of them don’t get any medical care throughout the year, especially the elderly. So by your school coming here with the students to San Ysidro, it’s the only opportunity that many of them will take care of the problems they’re facing.”

To donate to the student fund, visit the Online Donations Page, click on “See More Funds” and select the “CSPM Student Medical Mission Project.”

Or contact Dr. Timothy Dutra at tdutra@samuelmerritt.edu or 510-869-6511 ext. 7564