CURE Hospital - Dominican Republic
Cure Hospital
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 
Summary
Dominican children suffer from a disproportionately high number of physical disabilities, including congenital limb deformity, congenital hand deformity, clubfoot, hip dysplasia, spinal deformity, and burn deformities. Most are from families of little financial means. CURE Hospital, known locally as the Centro de Ortopedia y Especialidades, is dedicated to serving these children with specialized orthopedic, surgical, and rehabilitative care.
CURE Hospital is lead by Scott Nelson, MD, a professor of surgery at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and fellowship trained in children’s orthopedic surgery. Students from the United States regularly study at CURE Hospital and report outstanding experiences, highlighting the one-on-one attention from faculty and the hands on training in the operating room. Their level of responsibility in patient care is usually limited only by their language skills.
Location & CommunitySanto Domingo, population about two million, is the capital and largest city of the Dominican Republic, a nation on the island of Hispaniola just east of Cuba. The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern side of Hispaniola, with Haiti to the west. Santo Domingo has a tropical climate. December and January are the coolest months (71-82 degrees F, 21-27 C) and July and August are the warmest (76-86 degrees F, 24-30 C). Rain falls almost every day.
TransportationVisitors fly into Santo Domingo (SDQ), where a representative of CURE Hospital will meet them.
Visa RequirementFor current information, please visit the Embassy website appropriate for your country. United States citizens can visit the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in the United States.
Traveler’s Health & SafetyPlease check the CDC travel website for the most up-to-date health information: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx, and consult with your physician before traveling.
Visitors are advised to regularly check the U.S. State Department website for the most up-to-date information regarding travel advisories: http://www.state.gov/travelandbusiness. Visitors are advised to regularly check the U.S. State Department website for the most up-to-date information regarding country specific travel information http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html
PatientsSome 400,000 Dominicans have physical disabilities, including congenital limb deformity, congenital hand deformity, clubfoot, hip dysplasia, spinal deformity, and burn deformities. Many of these people are children and most are from families of poor financial means (Pan American Health Organization). Very little social or medical support is available in the Dominican Republic to assist such persons. Most public hospitals are consumed with providing acute medical care, with few resources devoted to the disabled.
LanguagesSpanish is the spoken language of the Dominican Republic. It is necessary for one to at least have some primitive knowledge of Spanish or participate in a work study program to learn. Several of the staff at CURE Hospital speak English, but few patients do so. Those capable of communicating in Spanish will have greater independence.
FacilitiesCURE International is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of disabled children and their families in the developing world. CURE seeks to transform lives by providing medical and surgical care, establishing specialty teaching hospitals, and advocating for disabled children. As a result of CURE International, many disabled children now have their first opportunity to walk, run, and smile.
CURE Hospital Dominican Republic, known locally as the Centro de Ortopedia y Especialidades, is one of ten hospitals for children’s reconstructive surgery operated by CURE International. Each month, the hospital serves more than 700 outpatients and performs over 100 major surgeries. It has 30 beds and two operating rooms. There is no emergency department, as the hospital is focused specifically on reconstructive surgery and serving those with physical disabilities. The hospital also sends surgical teams into Haiti where they work at a public hospital in Cap Haitian to provide similar care to disabled Haitian children.
Health Profession StaffScott Nelson, MD, is the medical director of CURE Hospital. He is a professor of orthopaedic surgery at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and fellowship trained in children’s orthopedic surgery. He is assisted by several other Dominican surgeons and by a nursing staff of twenty. Dr. Nelson and his staff regularly pray with their patients and uphold the importance of spiritual care.
Websiteshttp://www.pbase.com/scottnelson/cure_santo_domingo
http://www.helpcurenow.org/site/c.nvI1IeNYJyE/b.4475915/k.C368/Dominican_Republic.htm
http://curecaribe.blogspot.com
Student ExperienceCURE Hospital is an ACGME (Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education) approved site for post-graduate training in orthopedics and also provides training in general surgery, neurosurgery, and plastic surgery. Medical students from the United States regularly study at CURE Hospital and report outstanding experiences, highlighting the one-on-one attention from faculty and the hands-on training in the operating room. Their level of responsibility and involvement in patient care is usually limited only by their language skills.
Student Lodging & MealsThe Hospital will assist in arranging lodging. Options include a hotel/apartment located 3 km from the hospital that has kitchen facilities and a Dominican national’s home who houses Hospital guests and provides meals. Lunches are provided at the Hospital, and evening dining options are plentiful.
Outside CommunicationThe Hospital has wireless Internet and phone access. Internet café’s are also available throughout the city.
DiversionSanto Domingo is located on the southern coast of the Dominican Republic. Hospital staff often take advantage of weekends trips to the beaches for surfing and snorkeling.
Facility SupportINMED invites all participants to consider raising extra funds to donate to support the facility. This is not required but allows INMED participants to become involved in every aspect of medical missions.
Behavior & DressVolunteers should bring their white coats to wear at work. In the clinics, staff wear kaki pants and button up collared shirts.
What To PackAn umbrella is essential because of daily rainfall. Casual, comfortable shoes are appropriate for the clinic and a bathing suit for weekends. A flashlight or headlight is useful during the occasional citywide blackouts. A portable water purification filter devise may be useful for outings.