LesLee Funderburk Leads Students through Service-Learning Experience in the Dominican Republic

When the plea went out for Baylor University faculty to serve as sponsors for student missions and study abroad trips, LesLee Funderburk, PhD, Associate Professor of Nutrition Sciences in the Department of Human Sciences and Design, raised her hand.

Months later, in May 2023, Dr. Funderburk and a team of primarily pre-med undergraduate students embarked on a life-changing trip to Azul, Dominican Republic. Alongside this group of passionate healthcare-focused students, Dr. Funderburk and Robbins College colleague Margo Shanks, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Public Health, dedicated their time to making a meaningful impact on the local community, and on the students who traveled with them.

Their mission began with teaching health-related classes at local elementary schools, providing simple well-being instruction around topics like nutrition and dental hygiene, as well as sharing Bible stories with the children. In addition to their educational efforts, Dr. Funderburk and the team also partnered with a local clinic, providing basic assessments, such as taking measurements and blood pressure, and learning from the clinic’s lone doctor as he conducted more complex assessments and interactions with patients.

Finally, the students visited the Medical Center in Azul, where they had the opportunity to observe medical professionals and provide minor assistance, like helping to feed babies or acting as medical assistants. Through these experiences, Dr. Funderburk’s team was able to both participate in broadening access to care in Azul and also to witness firsthand the realities of healthcare in a different setting, broadening their perspectives and deepening their understandings of the challenges faced by medical professionals in the region.

This international service-learning experience, bolstered by Dr. Funderburk's leadership and guidance, provided a point of inspiration for the Baylor students who participated, fueling their passion for service and growing their awareness of the transformative power of healthcare.

Together, the team not only provided education and assistance, but also created lasting connections and relationships with the people of Azul. Their collective efforts serve as a testament to the impact that can be made when passionate individuals come together with a shared purpose and a heart for Christ’s calling to serve.