Occupational Therapy Students Learn and Serve in Dominican Republic

University of Scranton occupational therapy students traveled beyond the classroom this winter, participating in a service-learning trip that combined hands-on healthcare delivery, cultural immersion and community service in the rural Dominican Republic.

Led by faculty chaperone Dr. Chandra Nealon, MS/LPT, DPT, the trip provided students with a non-traditional fieldwork experience in San Juan de la Maguana, where they worked alongside local healthcare providers and community organizations to address unmet occupational therapy needs.

Students delivered services through daily pop-up clinics in rural neighborhoods and in a more structured rehabilitation setting at the Asociación Dominicana de Rehabilitación Filial San Juan. The experience allowed students to compare healthcare delivery models across settings and cultures while responding to a wide range of patient needs.

"OT needs varied from healthcare screenings including vital signs, range of motion, strength, balance and functional mobility to more focused assessments and treatments," Nealon said. "Students worked with children with diagnoses such as cerebral palsy, developmental delay and autism, as well as adults with diabetes, osteoarthritis, strokes, amputations and injuries related to motor vehicle accidents."

Senior occupational therapy major Camryn Hoffman of Rockville Centre, New York, said the clinics emphasized adaptability and cultural awareness. Working with older adults and children, students conducted assessments, took vitals and implemented interventions using limited resources.

"Effective occupational therapy does not depend on high-tech tools, but on meaningful connection and functional relevance," Hoffman said. "We had to be creative, flexible and client-centered while respecting cultural values, routines and priorities."

In addition to clinical work, students participated in a five-day house build through the Cambiando Vidas organization, applying principles of body mechanics, accessibility and universal design while contributing to a family's future home.

"One of the most meaningful moments occurred on the last day of our house build," Hoffman said. "I noticed the couple who were moving in step back and watch the entire process unfold, visibly excited and grateful. Witnessing that moment felt full circle - it connected our physical labor, teamwork and service directly to the impact it would have on their lives."

Nealon emphasized that experiences like these extend beyond technical skill development, aligning with the University's Jesuit mission.

"Service trips such as this connect both the course objectives and the University's Jesuit values in a fully immersive experience," she said. "Students are challenged to reflect upon their own lives and understand the meaning of 'being for and with others.'"

For many students, the trip reshaped their understanding of service and their future roles as healthcare professionals. Hoffman said navigating language barriers and limited equipment reinforced the importance of clear communication and culturally responsive care.

"In my future practice as an occupational therapist, I am motivated to seek out service-learning and global health opportunities," Hoffman said. "This experience deepened my commitment to working with underserved populations."

Nealon hopes the impact of the trip resonates with both the students and the Dominican communities served.

"This trip serves as a powerful affirmation of human dignity," she said. "Our group traveled such a distance to help and learn from families, community members, patients and healthcare providers they had never met. That mutual exchange leaves both groups forever changed."

The students brought home expanded clinical experience, grounded in service, empathy and global awareness, that will shape their paths as future occupational therapists.