KK
Kyle Kinderman
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Class of 2013
  • Oshkosh, WI

Oshkosh native Kyle Kinderman brings medical help and hope to Honduran families

2012 Jan 18

Oshkosh native Kyle Kinderman, a junior in the College of Health Sciences at Marquette University, embarked on a medical service trip to Honduras last week. More than thirty Marquette students, four Marquette advisors and nine Milwaukee-area healthcare providers went on the trip. The organization they represented, Global Brigades, is the world's largest student-led health and sustainable development organization.

At the start of each year, Marquette Global Brigades sends a medical brigade of about fifty volunteers to Honduras. This year the group spent Jan. 9 - Jan. 12 in Honduras. They provided medicine, checkups and dental services to Hondurans who normally do not receive the medical services they need. Marquette Global Brigades' mission is vital to Honduran residents, because more than half the country's population lives in poverty without access to healthcare.

"We pride ourselves on the amazing people we attract to our program and the incredible people we serve in Honduras. The unique medical brigade experience is something we carry with us throughout all of our future endeavors," said Toby Peters, a co-advisor of the group and Associate Senior Vice President at Marquette.

Students involved with Marquette Global Brigades are not just pre-med and nursing majors, "We accept students from all across the board," said Gabrielle Guzzardo, a senior in the Helen Way Klingler College of Arts and Sciences and student chairperson of the group.

Going to Honduras are students from the College of Nursing, J. William and Mary Diederich College of Communication, Helen Way Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, and the College of Health Sciences.

"The trip's focus is on public health, but there are many ways to apply different fields of study to our service work since the trips are also geared toward global well-being and sustainability," said Guzzardo.

Global Brigades was founded at Marquette in 2003. The non-profit has grown tremendously since its inception and now has 273 chapters across the United States. As a whole, the Global Brigades organization has sent nearly 12,500 volunteers to deliver healthcare services to more than 300,000 people in Honduras, Panama and Ghana.

"Our volunteer efforts make such a difference to many Honduran families. They graciously accept our medical expertise and in return give us so much love," said Ashley Hinkamper, a senior in the College of Health Sciences and one of four student leaders who helped plan the trip.

"Seeing all the smiles and appreciative faces on those we help is unforgettable," said Ashley Hunt, a senior in the College of Nursing and student leader of the trip.