Project CURA Trips 2025
Uganda and Rwanda
Trip Members: James Chrisman, Tyler Cunningham, Ella Freimuth, Emily Johnson, Anna Kaye, Bianca Widjaja, and Ella Young
This summer, we had the life-changing opportunity to travel to Uganda and Rwanda as a part of a four-week global health immersion through the Global Livingston Institute (GLI). In partnership with an alumnus from Cornell University and GLI, we stepped beyond the classroom to experience health systems, culture, and community in East Africa.
We began our journey in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, by exploring its organized chaos and learning about the rich history and culture of Uganda. Highlights include a visit to the Gaddafi National Mosque (that boasted views of the entire city), Old Taxi Park, and Nakasero Market.
After Kampala, we headed to Mbarara, the second largest city in Uganda, stopping at the equator on our way. This was our first taste of the long van rides to come, which were always filled with beautiful views and speed bumps (which we soon came to know as an “African Massage”). While in Mbarara, we partnered with Reach a Hand, Uganda. Reach a Hand is a youth-focused nonprofit organization that empowers young people with education and resources on sexual reproductive health, mental health, and gender equality through outreach, media, and peer-led programs. We participated in community outreach, data collection, and even visited the new Reach a Hand outreach clinic in Kempungu, Mbarara. This was an impactful opportunity to learn about the challenges faced by local Ugandans and to engage with them directly. We gained insight into the vital role of Community Health Workers (CHWs) and their powerful impact on Uganda’s healthcare system.
Next, we traveled to Lake Bunyonyi which is located outside of Kabale, Uganda. This tranquil place would become our home for the next two weeks. During the weekdays, we rotated in local hospitals (Rushoroza Hospital and Rugarama Hospital) observing clinical care in resource-limited settings, forging relationships with local staff, and engaging with public health initiatives. We split into groups and rotated through the various specialties at each of the hospitals, which included maternity, pediatrics, surgery, emergency medicine, in-patient, and out-patient. We saw firsthand the challenges and ingenuity that shape healthcare delivery here. We were also inspired by the strong sense of community in the Ugandan healthcare systems. On weekends, we had a chance to unwind by hiking to nearby villages, visiting a traditional healer, swimming in the lake, going to local churches, paddling traditional dugout canoes, and even trekking to see the gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Crossing into the border in Rwanda, we were struck by the contrast between Uganda and Rwanda. We no longer saw trash on the road or any speed bumps (bye bye African massages) and there were sidewalks everywhere. Our week in Kigali, Rwanda began with a visit to the Kigali National Genocide Memorial and Nyamata Genocide Memorial where we learned about Rwanda’s painful history and inspiring resilience. We were deeply moved by Rwanda's history and inspired by the resilience of its people. During our week in Kigali, we partnered with Dream Village, an organization who is focused on providing a platform where young people living with HIV can flourish as social change agents and inspire lasting change in their communities. One highlight of our week in Rwanda was our visit to Zipline, a drone delivery company that partners with the Rwandan government to distribute medical supplies for both humans and animals across the country. We were inspired by their innovation and the remarkable execution of their vision. We were especially struck by the fact that Zipline has helped reduce maternal mortality by about 60% since beginning operations. Additionally, we visited Kigali Mental Health Referral Center, public and private hospitals, a "hidden" HIV clinic, the Rwanda Biomedical Center, and the Human Development Initiative to get a deeper glimpse of healthcare in Rwanda. We even had the opportunity to meet with and discuss important topics with the U.S. Ambassador at the American Embassy in Kigali. For fun, we frequented the local coffee shop, watched rugby and basketball matches at Kigali Arena, and ended our trip with a safari at Akagera National Park.
In the end, it was the people who made the trip truly unforgettable! We formed many meaningful relationships along the way that had an immense impact on us. We’re deeply grateful to our leader, Andrew Nangoli (a GLI staff member and physician), the incredible teams at GLI and Safaris Resort at Lake Bunyonyi, our wonderful drivers, Dream Village, and the healthcare professionals at Reach a Hand, Rushoroza Hospital, and Rugarama Hospital for their unwavering dedication to our learning, safety, and enjoyment throughout the journey. What an AMAZING experience we'll carry with us for years and years to come!
Trip Member Testimonies -
Uganda and Rwanda
“The Uganda/Rwanda trip taught me so much about the practice of medicine, especially in low-resource settings, that greatly enriched the things I learned in the classroom. Meeting so many organizations, community leaders, and inspiring youth who were passionate about global health and their futures is something that I will take with me in my medical journey to try and do the most good I can for my patients.” - Bianca Widjaja (CUSOM Class of 2028)
“This was truly the trip of a lifetime! Reflecting on my time in Uganda and Rwanda, I can’t think of a more meaningful way to spend my summer after M1 year. A highlight for me was having the opportunity to spend time in the operating theatre and learn from Dr. Bridget and Dr. Martin at Rushoroza Hospital in Kabale, Uganda. I was able to learn so much, not only about medicine and surgical techniques, but also the culture and the healthcare system of Uganda!" - Ella Young (CUSOM Class of 2028)
"The month I spent in Uganda and Rwanda will forever hold a place in my heart. Not only was it the last time I could spend an extended period in another country for a while, but I truly got to immerse myself in the culture. This was thanks to the wonderful dedication and support from the team members at Global Livingston Institute. They find the right people to show us their culture. Whenever I’m asked about my favorite part of the trip, my answer is always the same – the people. Trekking with mountain gorillas was awe-dropping, singing badly at karaoke in a Ugandan bar was added and checked off my bucket list, and driving through the safari was unforgettable. But more than any of that, it was the people who gave the trip its heart. From the hotel staff who taught us how to fold fun napkins, to the doctors we met in the hospitals, to our amazing “tour guide” in Rwanda, Fiona, to the GLI members we shared the journey with—every single person we met was generous with their time, their stories, and their knowledge. Beyond the unforgettable moments, the trip was also deeply educational. In just one short month, it encompassed both the public health and clinical health sides of global health. We saw how things were on the ground and learned about incredible nonprofits working both within government facilities and independently to improve care. If you are willing to spend a month of your M1 summer away, I highly recommend Uganda and Rwanda. You’ll have fun, learn about the culture and history, and dive into the medical practices there. This trip embraces global health and shows it as it should be—whole and connected." - Emily Johnson (CUSOM Class of 2028)
Guatemala
Trip Members:
Omaha - Aruna Bashir, Carissa Besonen, Kate Krueger, Gabe Hanson
Phoenix - Jacob Munguia, Maryam Ghafari, Lauren Warner, Will Warner
Physicians - Dr. Mark Goodman, Dr. Doug Jones, Dr. Ned Warner
Our group had the incredible opportunity to travel to San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala; a small town situated on the edge of Lake Atitlán. During our time in Guatemala, we partnered with an organization called Friends of San Lucas, a local nonprofit organization that is deeply involved in locally-led programs serving the community in and around San Lucas.
Throughout the week, our team of medical students and physicians ran pop-up clinics in various communities surrounding San Lucas. In these clinics, we worked alongside health promoters and translators to provide affordable healthcare to the local people in Guatemala. We ran the clinic in a similar style to medical school clinical rotations, where medical students first gathered a history and physical before coming up with a care/treatment plan and presenting it to the attending physicians. Both the medical student and physician would then return to the patient and together discuss the plan for addressing patients’ concerns. This method allowed for high-quality patient care, while simultaneously providing ample learning opportunities for medical students!
Our team learned how Friends of San Lucas facilitates the delivery of longitudinal care by hosting numerous medical groups in San Lucas throughout the year. Additionally, we became acquainted with the organization’s ongoing programs such as diabetes management, hypertension, and women’s health, which aim to address chronic health concerns on a consistent basis.
Outside of our time in the clinic, our team had the opportunity to explore neighboring towns around the lake, experience tasty local cuisine, play pickup basketball in the central park, tour a local coffee farm, hike up the side of a nearby volcano, and visit the local hospital!
Overall, this experience provided valuable insight into the healthcare disparities faced by individuals in Guatemala, and highlighted the challenges of delivering care in a resource-limited clinical setting. We deeply appreciated the opportunity to connect with patients despite language barriers and are grateful for the chance to expand our medical knowledge in such a unique and meaningful context!
Trip Member Testimonies - Guatemala
“This trip was an amazing opportunity to serve others and improve clinical decision-making skills; all while spending time in an incredibly beautiful part of the world! I loved getting to talk with patients and play a small role in improving their health journeys! Guatemala will forever hold a special place in my heart and I would strongly recommend this trip to future medical students at Creighton!” - Gabe Hanson (CUSOM Class of 2028)
"The Project CURA Guatemala service trip was an honor to be a part of, and I returned with stronger patient interviewing, physical exam, and presenting skills. I learned invaluable patient care from truly amazing physicians who know how to sensitively and effectively treat populations who have limited access to healthcare. Friends of San Lucas provided outstanding hospitality and resources that set us up for success as far as seeing patients and providing quality care. It was a pleasure to work with their dedicated team, learn about local programs, and be immersed in the rich Guatemalan culture. San Lucas Tolimán is a very special place!” - Kate Krueger (CUSOM Class of 2028)