Amaira Palmer

Dental Brigades Vice President 2024-present; Fundraising and Supplies CO-Chair 2023-2024

amp00040@mix.wvu.edu

Hello! My name is Amaira Palmer and I am a junior majoring in Immunology & Medical Microbiology from Clendenin, West Virginia.

After hearing about the WVU Global Medical & Dental Brigades I attended an info session on campus. I was inspired by their Holistic Model and the pure intentions of this group. I knew that Brigades was an opportunity for me to make a sustainable impact by empowering communities in resource-reduced regions.  Our goal is to uplift communities through empowerment, which is extremely important as many rural communities have the power stripped away from them.  We collaborate with rural communities by facilitating medical & dental clinics and assisting in public health projects.  In 2023, we worked with UNICEF to dig trenches in Panama for water pipes and in 2024 we worked with local masons to build sanitation stations for ten families in Honduras.  Both aspects of our brigades are meant to support the community even after we leave.  Going on brigade is not only an opportunity to strengthen and impact others, but yourself as well.  My experiences on brigade have shaped how I view the world, society and medicine, and myself.  Learning to view medicine through a sociological lens is a vital skill, especially for students that are pursuing a career in healthcare.  What we learn on brigade can make an even greater impact when we share and apply those experiences to what we do in our own lives.  I encourage you to learn more about our organization and apply.  Preparation and traveling is not easy, but I enjoy everything we do because I am passionate about our goals.  Please do not hesitate to reach out to anyone on the leadership team!