As students across the nation were vacationing both near and far, a group of UofL students spent their spring break a little differently. Three ULSOM students, 16 undergraduate pre-health students and three administrators accompanied Dwayne Compton, Ed.D., senior associate dean of community engagement for the 2025 International Service Learning Program (ISLP) in Trinidad and Tobago.

Focused on health equity and enhancing universal health care coverage, ULSOM students Shannon Derkson, Gbemisola Owolabi, and Grace Hong immersed themselves in a transformative experience. Their journey included medical education insights, clinical shadowing, cultural engagement, and hands-on public health experiences.

Beginning at The University of the West Indies (UWI) Mount Hope Campus, students explored the medical education structures and facilities, shadowing in specialty wards to understand health care processes and universal health care systems firsthand. They also toured classroom spaces and the Anatomy Museum, which houses over 100 anatomical specimens. A roundtable discussion, led by faculty from the Department of Family Medicine and Department of Public Health covered topics relating to public health, equity, and education, where ULSOM student Shannon Derkson participated in a Q&A panel representing UofL, offering insights on their experiences in health care education.

During a more close-up look at the lives of those living in Trinidad and Tobago, students traveled through the mountainous region while learning about the agriculture and sustainability practices of the locals. Students were even able to attend a steel pan workshop at the UTT National Academy for the Performing Arts.

Wrapping up their experiences, students attended a presentation on portable x-ray equipment challenges, emphasizing health care accessibility. They actively contributed to the North West Regional Health Authority’s Health Month initiatives by conducting health screenings that included blood pressure and cholesterol checks, gaining valuable community-based health intervention experience.

“The ISLP trip sparks crucial conversations about global health,” noted Compton. “As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, global health education continues to be a priority at ULSOM. With a Distinction Track in Global & Public Health, Disaster Medicine Certificate Series, Global Health Lecture Series, and other programs available through the Global Education Office, our medical students have numerous opportunities for exposure and engagement with global health initiatives.”

Through their combined dedication to global health and compassion for people, medical students Shannon Derkson, Gbemisola Owolabi, and Grace Hong made a tangible impact on the communities they touched while in Trinidad & Tobago. Their experiences reflect the importance of creating a cross-cultural understanding in the medical field and will undoubtedly contribute to their future successes as physicians, whether serving communities at home or abroad.