Allison Sowers received Professional Experience Grant to gain medical experience in Kenya

 Allison Sowers, biology, pre-medical sciences major and chemistry minor, spent three weeks at the  Coast Provincial General Hospital (CPGH)  in Mobassa, Kenya shadowing in pediatrics, surgery, and the emergency department.  CPGH is the second largest government hospital in Kenya. Allison also had the opportunity to experience a private hospital, for those that can afford it. She found the private hospital to be better equipped and staffed. Allison was impressed with the passion of the doctors at the CPGH especially there creativity in providing needed medical care, despite a lack of resources.  One of her lessons that Allison will carry with her in the future as she prepares to become a physician is "that heart is more important than privilege, resources, or money."   

 While in Kenya. Allison also participated in community outreach activities including a hygiene clinic  and a menstruation clinic at a local school and a medical clinic at Milele Elimu Center for  students and their families. In her free time, Allison explored the surrounding area of Nyali and met  Kenyans and interns from all over the world.  Allison shares that it "is hard to understand how privileged we are in the US, but traveling to a poverty-stricken country and experiencing it firsthand not only made me appreciate everything available to me in the US, but also lit a fire inside of me to want to help and give back to places like Kenya."  Allison plans to contribute to global health care initiatives in the future and hopes to return to Kenya  when she is a  physician to share aid, resources, and assistance. 

Allison's trip was supported by a Bloomsburg University Professional Experience Grant. Allison is the Pre-Medicine Club Vice President, Colleges Against Cancer Fundraising Chair, and a member of Tri-Beta Biology Honor Society.  She is a recipient of the Dr. Stephen Schell Scholarship. 

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