Recently, Christina Madill, a graduate Nurse Anesthesia student at ADU, found herself assisting with surgery in conditions much different than the squeaky clean sterile environment she was used to. Christina arrived in Lima, Peru, as the only student member of a medical mission team from Florida Hospital. The team was also scheduled to visit the remote town of Juliaca which is situated at 13,000 feet above sea level.

The trip was part of Florida Hospital’s Global Mission Initiative and included several ADU alumni on the team. As the only student member of the team, Christina assisted FH anesthesiologist Kurt Jones, and ADU adjunct faculty member Mike Tran, in five days of surgery in both Lima and Juliaca. While part of the mission team performed surgery, other members visited orphanages in the area to help with basic care and introduce fundamentals of healthful living. “This experience really made me appreciate all that we have here in American and how fortunate we are to have access to the simplest things,“ said Madill. “But it gave me confidence in what I am able to do. I now know I can work under adverse conditions and still be able to do what is needed.”

Dr. Kathy Wren, chair of the Nurse Anesthesia Department at ADU, described Christina as, “a very bright, energetic, and caring student. She’s always willing to step in and help.” According to Dr. Wren, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) have “the unique opportunity and privilege to help individuals less fortunate. The nurse anesthesia field provides the training and monetary means to help others.”

Not only do ADU and FH mission trips accomplish several of the University’s learning outcomes including: caring, communication, service to the community, and professional expertise, but they also embody the College’s vision words—Nurture, Excellence, Spirituality, and Stewardship. “This trip was a personal achievement for me,” said Madill. “Not only was I able to help the underserved, but I grew personally from the experience and now have a new appreciation for the facilities we, as professionals, have but also as Americans living in a country of comparative prosperity.”