UW Student Group Volunteers in Costa Rica

Members of the Phi Epsilon Kappa student organization, representing the University of Wyoming’s Division of Kinesiology and Health, recently joined student volunteers with the Vida Volunteer UWYO chapter to deliver health care to rural communities in Costa Rica.

Vida Volunteer is an organization that hosts medical, dental and veterinary service trips in Guatemala and Costa Rica to allow students in the health sciences to gain hands-on health care experience in other countries. This volunteer experience is open to college students from anywhere in the U.S.

Maggie Gazda, former president of Phi Epsilon Kappa and a senior in UW’s Division of Kinesiology and Health from Casper, discovered the Vida Volunteer program in 2023, looking for ways to expand patient care knowledge and learn about new cultures.

“I was searching for an opportunity to volunteer in another country to gain hands-on patient experience,” Gazda says. “I signed up for and attended a medical mission trip to Costa Rica through Vida Volunteer in January 2024. My trip was absolutely life-changing, and I knew that I wanted to be able to make an even bigger impact through this organization.”

Gazda’s first trip to Costa Rica led to this most recent international travel event in December, which included a majority of students from the College of Health Sciences Division of Kinesiology and Health’s student group.

The students’ trip gave them experience with a number of medical procedures, including learning how to take vital signs; complete a full patient intake; perform a physical examination; and even propose diagnoses and treatment plans. These students also helped set up mini clinics in communities that otherwise would lack access to health care.

Local physicians also helped students learn about local diseases and illnesses, the health care system and the culture in Costa Rica.

Sherry Negaard, an undergraduate student from Sundance who has a goal of becoming a physician assistant, says the trip to Costa Rica, paired with growing up in a rural community, fit nicely into her overall plans for providing health care to rural communities like those in Wyoming.

“Due to my upbringing in rural Wyoming, my passion for rural medicine in underserved populations quickly became my purpose as an aspiring health care provider. This trip further fueled my passion for working with these populations, as I experienced the impact I can have on individuals with limited health care accessibility internationally,” Negaard says. “One of my favorite and most impactful experiences was working alongside two knowledgeable Costa Rican doctors who happily shared their expertise with us. During our interactions, we had the opportunity to ask about different components of their country -- for example, we spent an immense amount of time further understanding their education, occupation and health care systems.”

Senior Rilee Hauber, from Gillette, says his participation in the Vida Volunteer excursion to Costa Rica was well-timed with future plans for his medical education.

“I plan on applying to medical school soon after graduating and becoming a surgeon after completing my education,” Hauber says. “Working with Vida was a highlight of my undergraduate career. Not only did I get to go to Costa Rica with friends I already had, but I met so many amazing people while I was there. From the staff working for Vida to the patients themselves, it was truly a pleasure to be so immersed in another culture and make an impact on their rural communities.”

Students from other UW health-related fields of study, including Alana Ashby, of Cheyenne, also took part in this international learning opportunity.

“I am currently studying animal science at the University of Wyoming with hopes of attending vet school on my way to becoming a large animal veterinarian,” Ashby says. “My veterinary volunteer experience in rural Costa Rica was nothing short of life-changing. Immersed in the local culture, I had the privilege of participating in surgeries and providing overall care for both pets and strays. I witnessed firsthand the remarkable dedication of the community as they rallied together to bring care to animals in need.”

The cost of the student trip was covered largely through student efforts, including a campaign during last fall’s UW Giving Day.

Emily Schmitt, an assistant professor in the Division of Kinesiology and Health and the Phi Epsilon Kappa faculty adviser, praises the self-reliant efforts and teamwork of all students who took part in the Costa Rica trip.

“I only played a small role in the success of this remarkable group of undergraduate students, but I can wholeheartedly attest to their exceptional qualities,” Schmitt says. “From fundraising the money to support their trip to acquiring the skills needed to make a meaningful impact, these students are among the most driven, dedicated and hard-working individuals I’ve had the privilege to work with. Their selflessness in venturing out to help those in need reflects their deep empathy and unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.”

College of Health Sciences Dean Patrick Hardigan notes the collaborative efforts of the students and others in pursuing their academic goals not only on the UW campus, but also on the global stage. He says he is proud of the efforts of Phi Epsilon Kappa members who partnered with the Vida Volunteer UWYO chapter for a transformative service experience in rural Costa Rica.

“This collaboration exemplifies the core values of our Division of Kinesiology and Health, where students not only gain critical knowledge in their field but also learn the profound impact of applying that knowledge in real-world, underserved settings,” Hardigan says. “By delivering health care to these rural communities, our students had the opportunity to engage in hands-on service that went beyond the classroom, fostering a deeper understanding of global health challenges. Their dedication and compassion were evident in their work, and I am proud to see them embody the spirit of service, professionalism and global citizenship that we strive to instill in all of our students.”

Participating students, listed by their disciplines at UW and their hometowns, are:

Kinesiology and Health, and Health Care Studies

Broomfield, Colo. -- Jake Latzer.

Casper -- Mackenzie Cawley and Maggie Gazda.

Cheyenne -- Isabel Bivona, Anna Groth and Kaia Swarm.

Colorado Springs, Colo. -- Cyan Johnson.

Gillette -- Rilee Hauber.

Hanna -- Hanna Gonzales.

Laramie -- Adam Sorensen.

Lusk -- Bryn Bruch and Gabriel Matthews.

Sheridan -- Katelin Rogaczewski.

Sundance -- Sherry Negaard.

Wheatland -- Chelsea Martinez.

Worland -- Ella Stanek.

Dental Studies

Gillette -- Bailey Alt.

Livingston, Mont. -- Sophie Taylor.

Veterinary Studies

Cheyenne -- Alana Ashby.

To learn more about the UW Division of Kinesiology and Health, visit www.uwyo.edu/kandh. To learn more about the Vida Volunteer Program, visit www.vidavolunteer.org/.