Walking through the hospital in the early morning has a certain calm about it— most patients are stable and sleeping, the halls are quiet, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee starts to fill the physician lounge. I was looking over my notes from patients we had seen the day before when Dr. O’Connell received the page that it was time. We quickly walked through the glass walkway towards the patient. The sky was still dark since the sun hadn’t risen yet, but as we came closer, I felt all my feelings of fatigue give way to a steady, collected anticipation.
Dr. O gave me a few quick instructions as we passed the nursing station and entered the patient room. Right away, I felt a nervous energy—a buildup of uncertainty, expectation, and an anxious hope. The husband was frantic, and pale as a sheet; he was pacing around his wife, unsure of what to do, where to stand, or what to say. As Dr. O entered the room, I watched the color return to the husband’s face. His expression relaxed, and I could tell that in that moment, he knew that his wife would be okay. His wife grimaced, and let out a visceral wail. I stood quietly to the woman’s side, watching Dr. O get to work. She was breathing in short, sharp gasps. Dr. O instructed her to take deep, calm breaths. She slowed her breathing, and her husband grabbed her hand.
There were a few seconds of calm before suddenly, another contraction hit—she let out another yell, and her knuckles turned bright white as she clenched her fists. Dr. O, knowing it was time, instructed her to push. She took a couple deep breaths, then pushed, and pushed again. There was a small, fuzzy head.
I normally write down notes about the patient’s condition and clinical information, however I found myself captivated in this family’s moment—the birth of their first child. Despite the chaos, I found myself exploring quiet thoughts. In a few moments, this family’s life would change— they would start a new journey, complete with joys and tribulations… Their child would one day go to school, make friends, and learn about the world. Their child would become a person, complete with unique values and ideas.
My mind quickly returned to the patient. I scribbled down a few notes about her medications and heart rate. The room, as chaotic as it seemed, had a strange control to it. Having preformed hundreds of deliveries, Dr. O and his team were prepared for anything to happen. A few moments of pushing felt like an eternity and the blink of an eye all at once. With every wave of contractions, this family was one step closer to meeting their baby
Finally, the little girl came into Dr. O’s hands. The new baby girl was taken by the nurse, who quickly performed an exam to ensure her lungs were functioning properly. For the first time in her life, the baby let out a small cry, and she opened her blue-grey eyes. There was a feeling of elation in the room; nothing else mattered to the family except this single moment. There was no such thing as money, death, sickness, or greed. There was only their baby girl. The husband wiped away a few tears from his cheeks, and kissed his wife on her forehead. She took her child into her arms, and everything felt complete.
Dr. O finished his work, and we quietly walked out of the room. I had just witnessed one of the most incredible things I had ever seen— something truly miraculous. I walked through the glass walkway feeling changed by this experience. The sun had risen.
Later, Dr. O and I sat down in the cafeteria for breakfast. I sliced my grapefruit, and we began to turn over the morning’s events. I found myself wondering what life would be like for a family that did not have the security of an experienced physician like Dr. O. I recalled the look of relief that passed over the husband’s face upon seeing his family would be cared for and protected by the medical staff. What would it feel like to bring your child into this world, not knowing if their first moments would be safe? More importantly, I remembered the feeling of euphoria as the parents held their baby. Their family was complete… But what if that moment was different because the child had nowhere to go, or she was alone? I found myself becoming angry at the thought that some children were born into this world alone, unsure if they would have the same journey of love, hope, and empowerment as other children.
Dr. O knew this story all too well, which is why he decided to do something about it. He shared with me that he goes on a medical mission to Uganda every year to provide medical care to children orphaned by poverty, death of parents, or warfare. Uganda is one of the poorest nations in the world, with 37.7% of the population living on less than $1.25 a day (World Bank, 2012). This poverty strain is particularly difficult for women—in Uganda, women work 5-7 hours more per day than men (World Bank, 2012) experience a higher HIV infection rate (AVERT 2012), and a substantially lower literacy rate (Central Intelligence Agency, 2009) than men. More importantly, a lack of women’s rights in Uganda has reduced women’s access to education, ability to seek empowering careers, and to escape abusive relationships (Foundation for Sustainable Development, 2012). Overall, the socioeconomic hardships that women experience in Uganda has contributed to severe gaps in maternal health— the 2006 Uganda Demographic Health Survey (UDHS) indicates that roughly 6,000 women die each year due to pregnancy-related complications. This is not surprising given the physician shortage and lack of women’s education that Uganda experiences.
Dr. O’Connell’s team aims to improve access to maternal care and lifesaving medical services. The medical mission goes to Seeta, a rural community in Uganda that experiences high rates of poverty. Dr. O has teamed up with several other physicians and nurses in order to staff a clinic at the local orphanage in Seeta. Through this clinic, they are able to provide desperately needed maternal care to the women in the community. They also provide primary care services, dental and vision care, vocational and sewing instruction for the women that assist the orphanage, and occasionally, life-saving surgical procedures. Many other people have joined this beautiful effort, including engineers, construction workers, and electricians. The medical brigade has since expanded to a well-run team with the aim of improving Seeta’s health care and access to education.
This year, the brigade is setting up the clinic, training local doctors on how to provide better care to their community, educating women and children on important health information, and building an entire library for the orphanage.
Dr. O and his team have offered me a spot on the medical mission—as a young philanthropist and premedical student, I could not be more excited about this opportunity to give to those who need it most, while learning about how profoundly medicine and access to healthcare can improve the lives of people living in impoverished countries. I believe there is no higher purpose than giving love and friendship to my world—during my collegiate experience, I have been able to serve as Vice President of Philanthropy for Phi Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega, where I had the opportunity to help women get involved in service, plan campus dating violence education programs for KU, and raise funds to support the Willow Domestic Violence Center. In addition, I am serving as Assistant Executive Director of The House that Greeks Built, a partnership between KU Greek Life and Lawrence Habitat for Humanity. As a premedical student, I have conducted cancer research with Dr. Liang Xu for 2+ years, and have served as a Pre-Medical Intern at JayDoc Free Health Clinic, a free clinic run by KU students and physicians.
Through my experiences as a philanthropist and my strong desire to earn a career in medicine, I feel compelled to pursue the opportunity to travel to Uganda to provide medical care to orphaned children. In order to do this, I must raise $3,200 for my own travel expenses (includes round-trip airfare, food, lodging, and water). Although I am dedicated, I cannot do it alone—I need the support of my friends, sisters and family. I have been amazed and humbled by the support of my Alpha Chi sisters and my community. We are organizing a letter-writing event to help support my efforts, and our Chapter Advisor, Megan Meyers, helped me with the application process. I am ever thankful to each and every person that has helped me on this journey. Together, we are making health care a possibility to those who need it most, and I couldn’t be more proud.
To contribute to my campaign, please use the following instructions:
Online: The preferred method to make your donation is using New Life Church’s secure online donation system located on the church website. This method will ensure that your donation is processed accurately, efficiently, and will help reduce administrative costs for the church. You will also be able to print a tax-deductible receipt and giving statement for use in preparing your tax return. To give online:
1) Go to http://www.newlifechurch.org
2) Select give in the top right corner
3) Select give online
4) Login. If you do not have an account, select Sign Up! and follow the instructions
5) Select Your Giving
6) Select Give Now
7) Use the first drop down on box (on the left) to select the trip name (Uganda Missions June – Medical)
8) Use the second drop down box (on the right) to select the participants name (Roy, Alexandria)
9) Complete the payment amount, select and provide your payment information
10) Select continue and then submit
Check: If you prefer, you may mail your check payable to New Life Church, indicating “Trip name and participant name” (Uganda Missions June – Medical > Roy, Alexandria) in the memo section of the check. Please do not make check payable to participant. The check should be mailed to:
New Life Church
Attention: Accounting – Missions Trips
11025 Voyager Parkway
Colorado Springs, CO 80921
If you give by check, New Life Church will issue a tax-deductible receipt in late January of the year following your gift. If you give online, you may print your own tax-deductible giving statement.
Loyally in the Bond,
Alexandria Roy
Former Vice President of Philanthropy
Phi Chapter
Alpha Chi Omega
“To shed the light of love and friendship round me, this is to be my symphony”
Phi Chapter Alpha Chi Omega 