|
This biology major transformed a study-abroad experience into a
life-changing mission.
Back-to-back medical missions to the Dominican Republic were not enough for senior Nick Tyger, who created a student service organization at Washington & Jefferson College to continue his relief efforts in the region long after he graduates.
The organization, called Presidents Without Borders, aims to connect W&J students with those living in medically underserved areas of the world. Since being formed this year, membership has grown to more than 40 students.
"I wanted to do more to incorporate service and grow our relief efforts in the Dominican,” said Tyger, who has helped treat more than 2,000 sick and injured men, women and children in the region’s clinics, checking patients’ vital signs, reviewing their medical histories and giving them medication. On his third trek to the Dominican last summer, Tyger led a team of nine W&J students to deliver medical supplies funded by members of the campus community.
“The people of the Dominican are very gracious and caring, and they love that we are there,” said Tyger, who was thrilled for the chance to continue helping the people he calls his “extended family.”
Tyger, who credits W&J’s Magellan Project with giving him the opportunity to participate in these philanthropic adventures, plans on staying involved with Presidents Without Borders as an off-campus adviser after graduation. “It is my responsibility to feed off that enthusiasm and leave behind something that future W&J students can continue to build upon,” he said.
|
