UNE's Cross Cultural Health Immersion-Ghana departs for Africa Aug. 2nd

On August 2, 2013, 24 students, faculty and community-based health professionals will travel to the Western Region of Ghana to work alongside health workers in the communities of Sekondi, Takoradi, Kansawarado, and Mpintsin.  

Cross Cultural Health Immersion-Ghana, a UNE program has been conducting travel experiences for students at UNE for six years under the leadership of Jennifer Lee Morton, D.N.P., M.S., M.P.H., RN, associate professor of nursing, Westbrook College of Health Professions.

A rich cultural/clinical immersion, participants engage in community based clinical and related services that include primary care, health promotion activities, health education, and more.  In addition, participants work alongside Ghana Health Service workers and community health outreach workers to truly understand and practice culturally focused care under the Ghanaian health paradigm.

The August 2013 interprofessional cohort includes:

Students

Claudia Burns (DPT ’14)
Gia Calabrese (DPT ’14)
Mitchell Chan (Pharm ’14)
Stephanie Fyock ( MPH ’14)
Thomas Gjeltema (DPT ’14)
Ryan Hill (DPT ’14)
Rachael Hohmann (DPT ’14)
Emily Farnham (alum Nsg ’13)
Heidi Jones (DPT ’14)
Jayme Keith (DPT ’14)
Emily Melzer (DPT ’14)
Amy Muntifering (DPT ’14)
Tho Ngo (MPH ’14)
Kirsten Shangraw (DPT ’14)
Georgia Smith (alum, Nsg ’13)
Liane Vogel (Nsg ’14)
James Walrath (DPT ’14)
Chris Hill (alum DPT ’12)

UNE Faculty

Jen Morton, D.N.P., M.S., M.P.H., RN, associate professor, Department of Nursing
Dennis Leighton, DPT, associate professor, Department of Physical Therapy
Erin Koepf, PharmD, assistant professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice
Sarah Smith, PharmD, assistant professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice

Community Health Professionals

Hilarie Jones, NP, APRN
Anne Tompkins, RN
Kathy Vezina, RN, JD

Leighton and several students have coordinated fundraising and supply collections with Partners for World Health and local venders.  These donations will be presented to the local hospital (EKG machine, walkers, wheelchairs, canes) as well as other supplies for the various clinics.

There are also several student projects that will take place.  Ngo is completing her MPH practicum with Professor Morton and Linda Vanotoo, MD, of the Ghana Health Service. Specifically, Ngo will be working with the Ghana Health Service to build a database for the collaborative clinic that tracks epidemiologic trends.  Other students will collect clinical hours for their various disciplines of study.

In addition to practice environment activities (clinical and public health), participants will engage in many cultural activities that include attending a semi-pro soccer game, visiting the local markets, touring Elmina Castle, visiting Kakum national park, and being entertained by a local drumming corp.

For more information on the students, faculty and special projects, visit and follow trip blog.

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.