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Further Information: Contact Joseph Giomboni 
King’s College Public Relations Office, (570) 208-5957

May 16, 2018 – Seven King’s College students will assist with medical care and public health initiatives during a two-week faculty-led study abroad experience in Ecuador in June. The students will also experience the culture of Ecuador by participating in various excursions, including to the Isla de la Plata where they will study marine and other wildlife.

During the medical service immersion program, King’s physician assistant studies majors and King’s faculty will be stationed in Anconcito, a small fishing village in the province of Santa Elena. The group will provide healthcare at a medical clinic, assist on home health visits to patients, and participate in other activities, such as health fairs dental hygiene education for children at a local school.

King’s students participating in the trip are Kaylen Blanco, freshman, Harmony; Kelsie Canessa, freshman, Penfield, N.Y.; Collin Duffy, freshman, Patchogue, N.Y.; Benjamin Gleason, junior, Montgomery, N.Y.; Kylie McCarthy, freshman, Old Lyme, Conn.; Gabriella Medina, freshman, New Egypt, N.J.; and Meredith Sugita, freshman, Gilbertsville.

King’s Office of Study Abroad and the Foundation of International Medical Relief for Children (FIMRC) coordinated the volunteer effort. King’s professors Jean Denion, MHA, PA-C, clinical professor, and Lorraine Novinger, MS, PA-C, associate clinical professor, are faculty program co-directors. Renata Evan, coordinator of short-term faculty-led programs abroad, assisted in developing the program. 

FIMRC is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health of families in the developing world through the implementation of innovative and self-sustainable health improvement programs. Through its network of outpatient clinics and partnerships, FIMRC asserts a multidimensional strategy that includes clinical services, extensive community outreach efforts and health education programs in nine countries.

King’s students and faculty participating in the short-term study abroad experience to Ecuador in June are, seated from left: Collin Duffy, Kelsie Canessa, Kaylen Blanco, Meredith Sugita, and Benjamin Gleason. Standing: Renata Evan, King’s Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program Coordinator; Madeleine Randolet, FIMRC Director of Strategic Partnerships; Zane Randell, FIMRC Key Relations Manager; Jean Denion, Faculty Program co-Director; and Margaret Kowalsky. Absent from photo: Kylie McCarthy, Gabriella Medina, and Lorraine Novinger, Faculty Program co-Director.