Allied Health Service Trip Returns to Dominican Republic
Posted on January 26, 2026 by CAHP
Students from the University of South Alabama’s Covey College of Allied Health Professions spent part of their winter break delivering clinical care and community support during a December 2025 service trip to the Dominican Republic. The interprofessional team traveled to Juan Dolio from Dec. 13–20, 2025, partnering with Christian Medical Ministry of South Alabama and SCORE International to provide care in remote villages and urban church clinic sites. Over the course of the week, the team delivered 1,102 hours of volunteer clinical care to 193 patients with limited access to medical services.
Participants included students from Physical Therapy (PT), Occupational Therapy (OT), Physician Assistant Studies (PA), and Pre-Med, working under the supervision of licensed professionals. Patient needs ranged from pediatric to geriatric care, with a variety of musculoskeletal and orthopedic conditions including arthritis, scoliosis, back pain, rotator cuff injuries, carpal tunnel, incontinence, and traumatic injuries.
In addition to screenings and treatment, students provided education on realistic home exercises and activities, with an emphasis on helping patients continue progress after the clinic day. OT students also fabricated upper extremity splints, and the team distributed ambulation devices and braces donated by Goodwill that are expected to benefit patients long after the trip.
Faculty and alumni mentors joined the trip to support student learning and patient care, including:
- Physical Therapy: Dennis Fell (Professor Emeritus), Phillip Ramirez (DPT ’25), Brian Riddle
- Occupational Therapy: Casey Brock (Faculty), Zach Carnes, Avery McClure, Nicole Pugh, Jake Wood
- Physician Assistant Studies: Rachel Beebe, Mary Graves