What a great team! (Rebecca Swensen, Kayla Bryan, Christopher Phillips)
Published January 28, 2015, last updated on October 5, 2017 under Voices of DGHI
Rebecca Swensen
Bass Connections
We were able to meet all of the 400 level students today who are considered traditional students and training to become nurse anesthetists. I started off the teaching today with anesthesia for thoracic surgery and certainly gained a new appreciation for how difficult professors have it when staring at room full of faces! I did forewarn them that I am also currently a student but luckily Dr. Morgan and Dr. Bryan were readily available to answer questions as well. Dr. Bryan expertly reviewed use and insertion of a double lumen tube as well as a bronchial blocker. The students had several questions and loved being able to get their hands on the equipment and it was given to them for educating other students.
We continued with handing out raffle tickets for asking and answering questions, which were just a big a hit as they were with the distance students! They were all eager to learn and while there is currently minimal thoracic surgery performed in Ghana, Dr. Morgan reminded them that in the not so distant future it will be and they will be the ones ready for it. They will be the leaders and be able to help educate their colleagues and new students. In the afternoon we sadly said goodbye and see you later to our new friends at UDS. Our short time spent with these amazing students and faculty was an incredible and humbling experience. I notified them I would be graduating in a little over a year and asked them if there would be any openings for a CRNA position, they stated we were all welcome back at anytime and they would certainly have a job for me!!
We then journeyed back to Accra and stayed in the beautiful Coconut Grove hotel on Monday night. We were able to have dinner as a group one last time along with Jacob, a nurse anesthetist from Ridge Hospital and good friend and colleague of Dr. Morgan’s. Dr. Olufolabi was able to make a short cameo to say hello, have a quick bite, and pick up Dr. Bryan to head back to Ridge Hospital. The view from dinner at Las Palmas Hotel was breathtaking! The ocean waves, warm breeze, excellent (spicy!) food, and great company made for a great end to an amazing trip.
On Tuesday, before leaving we were able to see some baboons playing on the side of the road, visit the Accra mall, tour Lake Volta and the Akosombo Dam, and purchase some souvenirs at the local craft market. I feel so fortunate and appreciative to have this whole experience with such great people. I hope to go back soon!
