Medicinal mission to aid Africa

Immediately after graduating, senior Mike Ursiny will travel to Yaounde, Cameroon to join a grassroots medical team.

Some of the people he will encounter have never even seen a doctor before, but this medical team makes it possible, Ursiny said. 

He and his co-workers are setting up a field clinic, pharmacy and an operating room in the middle of the jungle. "It's like surgery on a kitchen table but with as much sanitation as possible," Ursiny said.

The conditions will be primitive but the medical team is doing their best to help these Cameroonians, he said.

This grassroots movement was started by Dr. Georges Bwelle 10 years ago.  He is a native Cameroonian surgeon that pays for all the medical supplies and expenses from his own pocket. 

Bwelle's philanthropic deeds inspired Ursiny to take advantage of an opportunity that he probably would never have a chance to do in America, Ursiny said.

 UVM has given Ursiny the opportunity to experience the underdeveloped medical field in Africa through the Professional Development Grant. 

He will be allowed to administer injections, assist in the operating room and work in the pharmacy, he said. 

To perform these activities in the United States would require much more experience, but given the dire need of untreated villagers any kind of help is valued, Ursiny said.

Ursiny has interned with Dr. Peter Zvara, assistant professor of surgery in the urology division at the College of Medicine, and Dr. Katarina Zvarova in their science laboratory for the past two years.

"Mike's mission to Africa is a testament to his remarkable passion for medicine and drive to learn and gain experience, which will ultimately help him in his quest to become a physician," Zvara said.

Ursiny has devoted much of his time to his medical ambitions.

His advisor and professor at the School of Engineering, James Iatridis, said that he is an "outstanding engineer who's had a long time interest in medicine and he will do great things and go far in life."

Iatridis has supported Ursiny's initiative and has donated to the cause. 

Donations are encouraged and more information about his volunteer abroad experience can be found at his website www.MikeUrsiny.com.