By Craig Sheedy

My last night in Guyana arrived sooner than expected. I worked my last shift and then went out to dinner with the A&E residents. It has been an incredible and rewarding experience spending a month in Guyana teaching emergency medicine and learning about the healthcare system in a developing country. I have told the emergency medicine residents and doctors here that their job is much harder than mine - and that they are doing incredible work. The local doctors are learning not only how to practice medicine, but also how to advocate for continued change and improvement in the healthcare system. I only hope that I have made an impact here by sharing my training and experience.

About a week later I was walking down the road after my shift when I heard “doctor, doctor!” I looked over to see this infant’s Aunt, she had pulled over to the side of the road while driving by. She was eager to tell me that he had undergone corrective surgery, had a diaphragm repair with mesh, and that he seemed to be recovering well.

By Craig Sheedy

The emergency medicine residents and graduates have been eager to help me get oriented, to discuss interesting cases, and hear about the differences in practice between Guyana and the United States. Now, after few days of on the job experience, I am much more comfortable in this environment and excited for the weeks ahead of me, to provide both patient care and teaching to the local doctors.

By Michael LeCompte

Medicine often is focused on achieving a “cure” or a better outcome for a disease process. The opportunity to take care of this woman who was left alone by her husband, with her children who were about to be orphans, impressed upon me the need and importance of being able to practice true religion.