On academic days, there is always a 90 minute lecture on the subject - today cardiovascular and pulmonary with the med students. Both the medical and vet programs are covering the same body systems throughout the time we're here. Dr. Loukas (cardiologist) is the main lecturer for the medical group. He has great rapport with the kids and really makes his lectures fun as well as informative. After the lecture - there is a 2 hour lab session in the wet lab. Students work in small groups with medical students and medical professors handling organs and cadavers and studying actual pathology cases regarding the info they learned in lecture. They will see normal hearts as well as diseased one - atherosclerosis, cardiomegaly, inflate lungs, see pacemakers, EKG evaluation, etc.
There was a new lab component added to the med program: Microbiology. Today the students had an intro to micro (many have not taken Medical Micro) - they were able to inoculate some agar plates, viewed different bacterial smears under the microscope and learned some basic micro techniques. Their plates will be ready to read in 24 - 48 hours.
This afternoon they participated in cardio clinical scenarios - practicing taking pulse, blood pressure, auscultation and palpations. As they practice these basic skills on each other they are also learning what to look for in different cardiac conditions. Dr. Marshall is reviewing various pathologies and Dr. Hague has a patient with a cardiac condition and the kids get to practice asking clinical questions and learning the importance of asking "good" questions when trying to evaluate a patient.
Dr. Loukas (the main lecturer) just had a new baby - born at 2:40 - it's a BOY!! He got the call during the afternoon clinicals with our students!
The Vet students began their day with a morning lecture by Dr. Ivaldi on the musculoskeletal system (muscles, bones and joints) of the horse, dog, cat, pig and cow. After lecture, we convened at the lab and put our old and new knowledge to the test, once again completing station identifications of the above mentioned animals muscles, bones and joints. Students took their time looking at radiographs, preserved specimen and models.
After lunch, it was time to go to the small animal clinic/farm and started our work there. Students learned several knots and various vet tools that would be found on a farm. Students worked with the goats and learned how to safely flip them on their side. Students looked at some of the large animals on the farm... cows, donkeys, horses... and started learning the different parts of the horse!
This evening after dinner - half of the students recieved CPR training and certification while the other half played dodge ball against the staff - this is really fun - they really get a work out.
The weather has been very rainy - after a long drought in Grenada. Today looks sunny so I am hoping the rain is dissipating. That is the chance one takes in the Caribbean. The kids have been great - all are getting along. A few have whined about the heat and the walking (all uphill it seems) - I tried to tell them it would be hot and steamy and there is no flat land in Grenada - they believe me now.
I know the moms probably want to know what their babies are eating: breakfast is fairly traditional - eggs, bacon/sausage, cereals, toast/pancakes/French toast, lots of fruits - melons, mango, papaya and orange and pineapple juice. Lunch and dinners: chicken (prepared in variety of ways - sometimes spicy), fish, lots of veggies and salad, rice, pasta, potatoes - sometimes new veggies that they are not used to easting. They eat very healthy on the island - the kids are missing desserts. There are several meals that will include desserts.
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