Nicaragua 2017
NICA2017@tbridgegroup.org
OUR MISSION
Since 2011, The Bridge Group has been bringing hope and healing to the people of Nicaragua by coordinating teams of volunteers from the Henry Ford Health System and Henry Ford OptimEyes to work alongside national health care workers. For the second year in a row, volunteer clinicians and support staff will be partnerning with our friends from Hope Clinic International and the Nicaragua Ministry of Health to take mobile health clinics to several areas to meet the needs of many children who would not otherwise have access to care.
Hope Clinic International
Based in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Hope Clinic International is a non-profit medical mission organization based upon Judeo-Christian principles working to build a model of high quality health care for impoverished and ill children in developing countries.
Their model includes providing essential medical and surgical care, especially by equipping and training local medical providers. They seek to link Nicaraguan doctors with professional links to surgeons and specialists in the US for ongoing mentoring. We take medical mission trips to supplement the care provided by clinics and doctors in Nicaragua.
They rely on the volunteer efforts of medical professionals, Spanish translators and others in the US who are willing to fund and work on our medical mission trips to Nicaragua.
About our Partners
Hope Clinic International and our full-time children’s and women’s health clinic in Estelí, Nicaragua- El Consultorio Medico Tim (Tim’s Clinic).
Tim’s Clinic was dedicated in 2005 in honor of Tim Anderberg, son of one of our most dedicated volunteers, Roger Anderberg, MD. Tim’s dedication to the well-being of everyone he met during his life serves as a perfect motivation for the work we aim to do with the poor and disconnected of Nicaragua. We employ two part-time physicians, an in-country coordinator, care coordination nurse, pharmacist, lab technician and clinic assistant. Tim’s Clinic is dedicated to serving the community of Estelí as well as all of the many outlying areas of the Department of Estelí year-round.
Tim's Clinic
Team members representing Henry Ford OptimEyes will provide eye exams for children and their family members. Unlike other groups who only bring used glasses and try to make a "close match" to the needed prescriptions, our team provide brand new, SAME DAY, glasses. Last year this hard working team made over 500 pairs of glasses and expect to provide even more with the gift of clear site this year!. What a joy it was to witness some children and adults as they were able to truly see for the very first time! It was definitely a life changing experience!.
Eye Exams & Glasses
Women's Health Screens
In addition to providing care to remote areas in the moutains, this year our teams will have the privelidge of working at a home for women founded by a world renoun mid-wife.
In addition to screening for cervical cancer, they will teach women how to do breast self-examinations AND how to teach this life-saving skill to the women in their community.
Our team will include mid-level providers, a nurse-midwife, a birth doula and child birth specialist all on a mission to provide support and education to women in their child bearing years.
Health Care
The children of Nicaragua are among the most underserved and at risk population in the world. Water safety, sanitary and general living conditions make them vulnerable to many illnesses. Infections, respiriatory and skin disease is common.
Our medical mission team of pediatricians, nurse practioners, dermatologists and nurses will provide much needed vitamins and medicines to approximately 1,000 children.
