This summer Mike Uzzillia, Connecticut ’27, took his passion for medicine across the globe, spending a month in Mombasa, Kenya organized through International Medical Aid. “Uzzi” volunteered at a local hospital and rotated through multiple departments to learn about healthcare in a new setting which serves the community.  He also went on a once-in-a-lifetime safari through the Masai Mara. His journey embodies what it means to be a Balanced Man.

Mike is a senior currently studying Biological Sciences on a pre-medical track. He has always been curious about the functions of healthcare systems in other parts of the world. So, when he had found out about this trip through a family friend, he did not hesitate to take this opportunity.

Mike spent his weeks doing rotations in Coast General Hospital, a public hospital in Mombasa. Each week he had the opportunity to shadow different doctors in various areas of the hospital, including internal medicine, emergency medicine, and surgery. “I was able to learn so much through talking with the doctors, hearing their patient interactions, as well as hearing the diagnosis of the different patients in each area of the hospital,” stated Uzzilia, who was able to make the most of his experience in the hospital and during his free time. 

He spent his time outside the hospital exploring Mombasa and Nairobi, embracing their unique cultures and meeting some of the local population. Mike describes his most memorable experience of the trip as a weekend-long safari in the Masai Mara Reserve seeing elephants, giraffes, leopards, lions, and rhinos.

Mike’s immersive experience was not limited to the hospitals; he also spent time visiting different schools in the area and teaching them about hygiene. He described his time spent with the children as fulfilling, and felt that he was able to make a positive impact on their lives. “I was not only able to learn about medicine, but also learn about a new culture and explore a completely new country in the process, which was such an amazing experience,” said Uzzilia as he reflected on his time in Mombasa.

Mike was able to take away many valuable lessons from this trip. He was introduced to the differences in medicine across the globe, learned more about how to communicate with patients and about different diseases and diagnoses that he was not aware of prior to this trip. Mike’s experience brought him closer to an entirely new culture while helping him further his career in medicine.