Local resident and medical practitioner, Ruth Shobel, participated in a medical mission that took place from late March to early April in the San Cristobal area of the Dominican Republic.
Shobel, who has her practice at 7840 Fairway Drive, Suite 202 in Miami Lakes, has been practicing medicine for 30 years. Originally from Rhode Island, Shobel moved to Florida in 1973 and then to Miami Lakes in 1984.
She completed her pediatric residency at the University of Miami and Jackson Memorial Hospital in the early 1980's, was part of a group private practice in 1984 and began her own private practice in 2000. Shobel is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
This was the twelfth year that Medical Students in Action (MSA) led the medical mission to the Dominican Republic which includes students from the University of Miami School of Medicine along with doctors from several specialties like internal medicine, OB/GYN, pediatrics, dermatology, cardiology, orthopedics, and dentistry, all of whom volunteer to serve in four underserved villages.
The visiting medical students and doctors, including Shobel, treated hundreds of patients each day of the trip, providing care and medications to manage chronic illnesses, treat acute problems, conduct health screenings, and train local residents to be community leaders.
“This was my second mission trip but not my last,” said Shobel. “We had to be creative in delivering care to these patients, since we set up our clinics in a school and a tiny church, using pews as examining tables.”
The doctors brought their own equipment, generators, and medical machines to provide the most efficient care possible.
“The villagers were very appreciative of everything that we were able to do in our limited time there,” said Shobel. “Some of them had to wait for several hours to be seen, but we never heard any complaints. They were very friendly people.”
For more information on MSA, visit www.medicalstudentsinaction.com.