Frequently Asked Questions
What is MIA?
Medicine in Action (MIA) is a non-profit 501©3 global medical organization founded in the spring of 2006 by two like minded energetic doctors, Drs. Deborah Chong and Karolynn Echols. The two doctors knew each other from their residency training at Jackson Memorial Hospital, in Miami, Florida. They sensed each other's desire for providing quality healthcare in impoverished countries around the world. It was this common interest that would eventually become the motivation behind the founding of Medicine in Action.
How did MIA get started?
The inaugural mission took place December 2005 in Kingston, Jamaica led by Drs. Chong and Echols. By December 2008, we will have had 6 medical missions so far to Jamaica. On those missions, we have seen about 3000 patients, performed approximately 50 surgeries and screened about 500 women for cervix cancer. Our November 2008 mission will be the largest one yet In Jamaica, we have expanded our time and effort and have built a pediatric team. We have partnered with the Franciscan Ministries through which inner city outreach clinics are organized; St. Joseph's hospital, where we perform our surgeries and Port Maria Hospital and outlying rural clinics where we perform most of our cervix cancer screening program.
Dr. Chong also traveled to Tanzania in December 2007 to set up a relationship with International Health Partners(IHP) and we have now havetwo medical missions each year to Mwanza, Tanzania. Our goal is to have a long term relationship with IHP and to improve women's health in their community as well.
Contact Information
Who do I contact about questions regarding donations, volunteer service or the organization in general?You can email info@medicineinaction.org
Working with MIA
Who works with MIA?
MIA’s board is comprised primarily of dedicated physicians from various academic institutions around the United States. However, non health care providers may also join us on our missions.
Can anybody volunteer? Or must you be a medical professional?
MIA accepts all volunteers regardless of whether or not they are in the medical profession. With the right attitude and willingness to help, we welcome your presence.
Are there volunteer positions available to people who are unable to go on missions?
Yes, please contact us at info@medicineinaction.org for potential volunteer positions.
Are there any job openings or paid positions available at MIA?
Possibly - please contact us at info@medicineinaction.org
Does MIA provide any internships?
Yes - please contact us at info@medicineinaction.org for potential internship positions
Funding and Donations
Who funds MIA?
MIA is mostly funded by private donations. We also have been awarded grants.
I want to make a donation, whom should I contact?
Donations can be made on our website or checks can be sent to the following address:
905 N Ave. 66
Los Angeles, CA. 90042
Is my donation tax-deductible?
MIA is a 501c3 organization and donations are tax deductible.
Can I donate money from currencies other than US dollars?
Donations can be made in Jamaican dollars and US dollars only at this time.
What types of donations are accepted?
We accept monetary donations, mileage donations and UNEXPIRED medical supplies.
What is the money used for?
Donations are used for costs associated with direct patient care or the student scholarship fund depending on YOUR designation. A small percentage of your donation is also used for administrative costs of running the organization. Your donations are NOT used for plane tickets, or room and board. Our volunteers are required to pay for their own way.
Why do you ask first time volunteers for a donation?
We work in places that are under-funded, under-resourced and destitute. As valuable as volunteering is, money is also necessary to support our efforts. An initial donation secures your commitment to the cause and helps fund missions.
Is there anyone waived from the volunteer fee?
All students and residents are not asked to make a donation.
Are there any fundraising events that I can attend?
Join our mailing list to keep informed of future possible events by sending an email to info@medicineinaction.org
Missions
What are the locations of the missions?
We have two to Jamaica each year spring and fall missions.
How many volunteers go on each mission?
Between 5 and 15 volunteers participate in each mission.
Who runs the missions?
Missions are usually run by one or two of MIA’s board members.
When are the next missions?
Missions are scheduled twice a year in the first week in March and November. Please see our schedule for upcoming missions.
What is the application process for joining a mission?
We require a CV and two letters of recommendation to join our mission. A temporary licensing application may also be required to practice as a nurse or doctor. Lastly, we ask for a donation to the organization if this is your first mission with us.
What is the donation used for?
MIA is a grass-roots organization run mostly by volunteers. Each medical mission costs between $5000-$10,000, the donations go towards covering these expenses.
When must the application be submitted?
We usually ask that you apply approximately 4 months before the mission you wish to participate in.
I’ve missed the application submission deadline, may I still apply to join a mission?
Maybe, we evaluate these circumstances on a case-by-case basis. Contact info@medicineinaction.org for more information.
Is there an age requirement or other restrictions for participating in a mission?
There is no age requirement, but we do ask that volunteers do not bring their children unless they can also be unsupervised helping members of the team as well. If you are pregnant you may also consider not joining. MIA volunteers often work under extreme working conditions and it is important to consider your own physical health before joining us.
How much money must I spend personally to accompany MIA on a mission?
Costs run approximately $1,000 to go to Jamaica (not including your donation).
Is room and board provided at the site?
In Jamaica, we find accommodations for the volunteers either in the hostel at Immaculate Conception Convent or at people's residences.
How long is each mission?
Each mission ranges in length between 1-2 weeks.
Must I stay for the entire length of the mission or may I leave early?
You must stay for the entire mission.
How frequent are the missions?
Missions are scheduled twice a year.
Does MIA conduct any research or are the missions purely for treatment?
Currently MIA does not conduct any research. Our focus is geared towards treatment and education.
This is my first mission. Is there any orientation or special conditions that apply to me?
You must make a one-time donation of $300 for non-medical professionals and $500 for doctors. We also have a list of suggested readings that we are happy to share with you. Please contact info@medicineinaction.org for this information.
Does the group meet at the mission site or fly over together?
There is no set rule. You may accompany the group leaving from California. Others choose to meet in Miami on the way to Jamaica.
Jamaica FAQ’s
How should I prepare for the trip?
Four to Six months before the mission: Update your CV and ask for two letters of reference to be sent directly from the letter writers’ email to info@medicineinaction.org requesting to participate in the mission. Your CV should also be sent in email format.
Four months before the mission: You will receive a packet from Medicine In Action about the mission to Jamaica. Fill it out in its entirety and send it and all of the supporting documents with notarized papers to our secretary Ann Leiber (whose address will be listed in the packet). These papers are mandatory for the Ministry of Health in Jamaica for all volunteers. Doctors and nurses must obtain a temporary license as well, the forms for which will be included in the packet (and are also to be returned to Ann Leiber). You may either include the requested donation for first time volunteers or donate online at our website. If donating online, please let us know.
One to three months before the mission: Start gathering supplies for the mission. A list of necessary supplies will be circulated via email. Those items should be considered first priority. If you have extra space after this, any other UNEXPIRED supplies may be included. At this time, you should also purchase your airline tickets for the mission to Kingston, Jamaica. You will be arriving at Kingston Norman Manley Airport in Jamaica. Try to schedule your arrival time during the day. Please do not schedule an arrival time after 6 pm (when it is dark).
Days to one month before the mission: Pack one suitcase with medical supplies and another suitcase with your personal items. You may be required to declare items, in which case you will likely be asked to open your suitcases. Keep an itemized list of your supplies and email a copy to Medicine In Action. (This way, if you need to leave supplies with the ministry of health, we can return the following day to pick them up.)
What should I bring with me?
Mission materials: (make an itemized list of what supplies you are bringing just in case we need to leave your supplies with customs and return to pick them up the following day with the ministry of health.)
1. Supplies: equipment, requested medication, suture, instruments.
2. Patient: educational and lecture materials
* Money - bring US$ with you and we will change it for you upon arrival. We suggest bringing about $200 for spending money (see below for answers about cost for lodging and food)
Personal Items:
Insect repellent
Bathing suit
Beach towel
Three pairs of scrubs
Sunscreen
Aqua socks
A long sleeved shirt (in case we go up into the mountains)
Ear plugs (in case your roommate snores)
An alarm clock
Your own surgical hat
Optional- sleep sac
Optional- tennis racquet
What should I wear?
Scrubs and sneakers or OR shoes may be worn to the hospital. You may either wear scrubs or light pants and short sleeve shirt to the clinic (since it can be hot). You do not need to bring a white coat. For the night time you may simply wear shorts and a t-shirt. If we go into the mountains, or out to dinner, we recommend wearing a light sundress with a sweater or jeans, light pants and a light shirt.
Will I need a VISA?
A VISA is not required for US travelers to Jamaica.
Are volunteers responsible for travel and housing? How much will it cost?
Yes, volunteers are responsible for their travel and housing. Airline tickets to Kingston, Jamaica usually run approximately $500 round trip. We normally make arrangements to get you to and from the airport but occasionally (depending on the arrival and departure time) volunteers may need to pay for a taxi which runs about $30 one way. Housing usually costs around $30 per day and is inclusive of breakfast and dinner. Lunch is provided at the hospital. On most days, we pack our lunches for clinic and do the grocery shopping beforehand.
Where are volunteers housed in Jamaica?
The housing is at a hostel in the Convent of the Immaculate Conception run by the Franciscan Ministries. Lodgings consist of a basic room with two twin beds and a bathroom. You will probably have a roommate unless you request not to (although it is a lot of fun).
What are the hours of the working day?
There are surgeries and clinics with a typical day running from 7am to 8pm.
What is the typical working day like?
For the hospital:
6:00 – 6:15am – Wake up time for the surgical team.
6:15 – 6:30am – Breakfast.
6:45 – 7:00am – We leave for the hospital (otherwise a normal 20 minute ride can turn into an hour due to horrendous traffic).
Upon arrival - The first day - We sort supplies and see patients in the preop clinic in the hospital for surgery for the week.
- After the first day – We typically round upon arrival at the hospital and gather our supplies for surgeries for the day to be immediately accessible.
8:00am – 5:00pm – Surgeries.
5:00pm – We see our post op patients, gather information for the next day’s surgeries, lock up our supplies and leave the hospital for home (which can take up to an hour ride because of traffic).
For the clinics:
7:30 – 8:00am – Wake up time for the clinic team(s).
8:15 – 8:45am – Breakfast.
9:00 – 9:30am – Depart for the clinics.
10:00am – 5:00pm – Clinics.
5:00pm – We pack our supplies and head home.
Is there anything I should know about staying in Jamaica that is different than the United States?
It is important to be culturally sensitive. Things sometimes do not run on time and one must be willing to accept the delay without any issues.
How is the clinic run differently than my own hospital?
Each clinic in Kingston is organized by a community leader. The community leader collects $100 Jamaican for each patient and uses this money to maintain each clinic. Usually we arrive to clinic around 9:30am and the patients are waiting to see us. A patient signs up for an appointment with the community leader who keeps track of the order in which the patients are to be seen. Many questions you have can be addressed to the community leaders (for example- where to find the garbage, toilet, etc…).
Some of our clinics are “make-shift clinics” whereas others are permanent. Typically, the clinics do not have supplies, so we must bring our own each day and restock at the end of each clinic.
Pap smears- These can be wrapped in paper, folded into the requisition and sealed with a rubber band or tape. Do not forget to write the name and date of birth on both the pap smear slide and the outside of the wrapped paper so it is easily identified.
The pap smears should be labeled in three places with name and DOB.
The slide
The requisition
After wrapping the pap smear, on the outside of the wrap so they can easily be identified.
Is there anything I should know about communicating with the patients?
Patients who are given medications for chronic problems from our supply (ie metformin, HCTZ) should also be given a prescription in case they run out before we or another group returns. Please give at least 3 months supply of medications (excluding pain meds).
Patient education is one of the most important ways we can effect change! All patients should receive instruction and information on SBE, STD’s, contraception options (if appropriate), healthy diet and dietary needs specific to DM, HTN, and weight loss (if appropriate).
Consider spending the first 30 minutes of clinic giving short educational session, while some of the group are still setting up. Make sessions interactive whenever possible.
Ideas include: Patients who need mammograms should be referred to Jamaican Cancer Society. Patients who need to be referred to ER for acute problems should have a referral written on a prescription form. This should also be done for patients who are being referred to Specialty Clinics.
Are there particularly common illnesses or treatments that I should be aware of?
HTN - first line therapy should be HCTZ. If a patient is on HCTZ and needs more control, then give a beta blocker or Calcium Channel blocker. Diabetics should be on an ace inhibitor. HCTZ can be given out in abundance, since they are inexpensive. All others are second line, but be sure to give the ace inhibitors to diabetics.
Diabetes - This is very common in Jamaica and most of our patients have very little education on proper eating habits. Check fingersticks liberally, however, this can become very expensive. Sometimes patients will come to clinic just to get their glucose level checked. Before doing so, assess the need for this. Once in a while you will have a patient who comes in for a glucose check who is not diabetic but had it checked a few months ago. Educate this patient that she/he does not need another glucose check rather than wasting a glucose strip.
What medication must I take before or during the mission?
There is no specific medication required for you to take before or during the mission. If you are on any medications at home you should of course bring these and take them as regularly scheduled. Any medical issues i.e. pregnancy or illnesses such as HTN or DM need to be disclosed to the mission leader before the trip just in case.
Is there time to see the sights of Jamaica?
There is usually one day for sight seeing but we do work hard.
I’m a first time volunteer. Is there any financial or other information that applies to me?
Yes, we require first time volunteers to donate $500 if they are doctors and $300 if they are nurses, surgical or medical assistants or any non-medical personnel.
I’m a student and resident of Jamaica. Must I donate the required $300?
No, neither students nor residents are required to make the donation.