New York, NY — June, 2012
On Wednesday, April 25th the professional Medical Guild of La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc. and volunteers embarked on a medical mission trip to the Dominican Republic. Over their one week mission in several poverty stricken areas they were able to assist over 1000 patients in need of medical care.
The Lambdas in Medicine Guild was formed in 2011 with the goal of uniting professional medical members of La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc. in order to deliver more efficient care, advocate for the Latino community, and to serve as a resource for Latinos at every level of medical training and practice.
Planning for their first major project as a Medical Guild began in the Fall of 2011 with the recruitment of Hermanos in the field of medicine. “This is an initiative that has never been done before and we are setting a precedent,” Julio Carballo said. As the Director of Alumni Affairs for the fraternity, Carballo stressed the historical implications this mission would have for the fraternity and Latino community as well.
Lambda members and volunteers partnered with the non-governmental organization (NGO) Corazon Del Siervo. Together they visited 5 different towns all across the island and helped over 1000 patients who lacked proper medical care. Carballo recalls many of the harsh conditions they were faced with while visiting certain villages. “We went into villages that had nothing, from no sanitation to dying patients. We gave these people some hope and kids’ especially appreciated the time we spent with them” he said. Several patients who suffered from diabetes and AIDS had not been treated for their diseases or illness for over a year. One of the highlights of the trip was Hermano Vicente Diaz saving a patient’s eye sight by performing a surgical procedure never before done in the Dominican Republic. Dr. Vicente Diaz was recently honored for his leadership during the mission at the 2012 Dream Garden Gala hosted by the Hostos Education Project.
The medical mission came to an end on Wednesday, May 2nd as the group left the Dominican Republic accomplishing many goals and undergoing a life changing experience themselves. The Medical Guild of Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc. is planning their second medical mission for 2013 in a location to be announced later in the year. Following their initial trip they will now also call upon non-medical members of the fraternity and volunteers to assist in other areas of need such as education.
For more information on the Medical Guild or mission trip please contact Julio Carballo at julio.carballo@launidadlatina.org.