Meet Heidi Lindenfelser, ISAT Graduate

Heidi Lindenfelser ‘10 always had a strong interest in Africa and the study of diseases and treatments. She found the study abroad trip at JMU with Duquesne University to be an opportunity to combine these interests.  The focus of this trip was on healthcare in developing nations, including not only scientific and medicinal practices, but also the cultural and economic influences on health care in Tanzania.

“While there I met people with various diseases that don't exist in the U.S., such as malaria.  I learned about the treatment regimen for different diseases and how culture influences healthcare.  For example, physical and mental disabilities are taboo, and many children with these disabilities are abandoned by their parents.”  

She visited two facilities for disabled individuals and was amazed at the improvisations used for occupational and physical therapy equipment.

“It was a humbling and at times a heartbreaking experience, but I was left extremely inspired by the Tanzanians and their optimistic and enthusiastic outlook on life.”

Tanzanians have a great desire to learn, but lack the resources.

Upon returning to the U.S., she contacted the University of Virginia’s Medical School and James Madison University Health Sciences faculty for donations of current medical books for the Tanzanian medical schools.  Thus far, she has been able to collect a couple hundred books.

“One teaching hospital I visited had less than a cabinet's worth of books to call their library and each class had one textbook to share among all of the
students. I am now working on collecting donations to cover the shipment costs.” 

If you would like to donate up-to-date medical books or money to help cover the cost of shipping to Tanzanian medical schools, please contact Heidi at lindenhe@gmail.com

Heidi’s study abroad experience fueled a desire to help provide opportunities for people in underdeveloped countries.  Additional future plans include attending the Navy's Officer Candidate School for 12 weeks and then completing flight school in Pensacola, FL.