Hepburn Internship: Unite For Sight Ghana

1. Hepburn Internship: Unite For SightGhana Kristina A. Sandquist ‘13

2. Goals/ Objectives • Volunteer as a Unite For Sight Global Impact Fellow in Ghana which partners with five local eye clinics to improve access to eye care in low-income areas. • Observe and assist doctors and nurses to gain clinical experience and learn about eye pathology in West Africa. • Learn about the most effective ways to reduce patient barriers to health care.

3. Activities/ Responsibilities Assisted three eye clinics (North Western Eye Clinic and Save the Nation’s Sight Eye Clinic based in Accra, Friends Eye Clinic based in Kumasi) • Participated in outreaches with each clinic helping to take visual acuity, distribute medications and glasses, and record patient information across Ghana. • Observed surgeries sponsored by Unite For Sight.

4. Outcomes • Learned how international NGOs can effectively and responsibly partner with local medical institutions to provide low cost, high quality, sustainable medical care to low-income communities • Learned about eye pathology and eye conditions found in West Africa • Gained practical experience in interacting with patients with varied socio-economic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds. • Learned about how different clinics tackle patient barriers to health care in low-income settings

5. Appreciation • Thank you to the Ghanaian ophthalmologists, optometrists, nurses, and volunteer coordinators who taught me a great deal and helped ensure that my internship went smoothly and safely. • Thank you to the Katharine Houghton Hepburn Centre for funding for this internship!