Global Outreach
Cultivating servant leaders who are passionate about bringing people and communities to health is central to our mission. Students have several opportunities each year to embark on life-changing mission trips with faculty members from the College, their fellow students and alumni. Opportunities include study abroad, international or local stateside mission experiences. Applications for these opportunities are communicated via Blackboard, Social Media and student email throughout the year.
Spring Break International Service Trip
The goal of this international service trip is for students to immerse themselves in another culture and provide nursing care to those in need. By working in the field without the convenience of modern technology, students are challenged to assess and address the needs of our patients without the benefit of lab work, diagnostic imaging, and other technological tools. Students make a commitment to physically touch and comfort every person who comes to see them, and minister to their individual needs. The annual mission trip is typically held over Spring Break with teams serving in Haiti, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas in previous years.
Mountain Mission School (MMS)
The MMS serves as home, church and school to more than 200 children in need, coming to them not only from Appalachia, but also from more than 60 countries worldwide. MMS provides each child with the foundation of first-rate academics, a loving family environment, positive social support, and a firm commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Students have the opportunity to interact with faculty and students while participating and leading in a variety of activities.
Remote Area Medical
Remote Area Medical is a stateside outreach program geared toward underserved communities in Appalachia. RAM provides clinic events, mobilizes partners and uses health care provider abilities to offer free preventative, dental and vision care to help improve the quality of life of those in the most underserved and impoverished areas. RAM teams currently serve in Emporia, Grundy and Warsaw, Virginia.
- Emporia (June): Students selected for the RAM Team will spend a long weekend in Emporia, Virginia. Emporia is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia, surrounded by Greensville County, It is approximately 59.35 miles from Richmond, Virginia. Students will have an opportunity to provide health care to this population and explore the paper mill and plastics manufacturing culture of the second-least populous city in Virginia. Students will also attend a church service, visit local areas, and socialize with the people of the community.
- Grundy (October): Students selected for the RAM Team will spend a long weekend (1st weekend in October) in Grundy, Virginia. This area is in Buchanan County in southwest Virginia approximately 6 hours from Richmond, Virginia. Students will have an opportunity to provide health care to this population and explore the culture of the Appalachian region by attending a church service, visiting local areas, and socializing with the people of the community.
Study Abroad Experiences
- Study Abroad in Ireland: In this course, students explore the healthcare delivery systems and cultural influences shaping health and wellness in Ireland along with the history and present impact of the Sisters of Mercy and Bon Secours.
- Study Abroad in Paris: In this course, students explore the footsteps of the Bon Secours Sisters including the history, present, and future work of Bon Secours reflecting on one's journey of being and becoming a servant leader.
- Study Abroad in Kenya: In this course, students explore nursing education, community health, and the diverse cultures in Kenya. This includes local health practices, the nursing education system, and community health initiatives while gaining valuable insight into the intersection of culture and public health in Kenya.
