ST. GEORGE — A group of Utah college students recently had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in Montana by providing care to post-9/11 veterans in their search for purpose as they adapt to post-combat life.
This trip, in partnership with the Warriors & Quiet Waters Foundation, is designed to show future healthcare providers the power of service and the impact service can have on communities in need, according to a news release from the Utah Center for Rural Health
The students are part of Utah Health Scholars, which included representatives from Southern Utah University, Utah Tech University, Utah State University-Eastern and Snow College. They participated in the healthcare cultural immersion trip to Montana May 14-20.
“Their dedication and compassion have provided disabled veterans with a transformative experience through the power of fly fishing in the serene landscapes of Montana,” Valerie Orlemann, a program coordinator with the Utah Center for Rural Health and chaperone on the trip, said in the news release. “Witnessing the profound healing and newfound sense of peace achieved by our veterans has been both humbling and inspiring.”
Orlemann shared that this unique opportunity has not only enriched the lives of the veterans but has reaffirmed to pre-health students, who will one day become healthcare providers, about “the importance of fostering empathy, resilience, and making a positive impact in the lives of those who have served our nation.”
Jennifer Liebert, MSN-Ed, another trip chaperone and program manager with the Utah Center for Rural Health, highlighted the impact the trip had on the student participants.
“Through their involvement, students connected with veterans on a personal level,” Liebert said in the news release. “They built lifelong relationships by engaging in conversations, sharing experiences and developing a deeper understanding and appreciation for the sacrifices made by veterans. The volunteers also developed close friendships with other students who are like-minded and dedicated to making a difference in health care.”
Cultural immersion trips are an important piece of the Utah Health Scholars program, the news release said. These trips allow students to have opportunities to gain diverse experiences prior to their application to health graduate programs and help them become increasingly culturally competent.
Warriors & Quiet Waters is a veterans service organization and an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving post-9/11 combat veterans, including disabled veterans and their loved ones. Click here for more information, call 406-585-9793 or send email to [email protected]
The mission of the Utah Health Scholars Program is to assist students in reaching their goal of becoming informed healthcare providers through education, resources, and advising to support and sustain a strong healthcare workforce, the news release said. Click here for more information about the Utah Health Scholars program or send email to [email protected].