Students, faculty return to Moultrie for annual service trip

Alyson Boyko |08.13.2024

Students and faculty from Brenau University's Ivester College of Health Sciences and the College of Education traveled to Moultrie, Georgia, in June as part of a service trip with the Moultrie Farm Workers Family Health Program.

The program offers free health care and other services to migrant farm workers and their families in the southwest Georgia city and surrounding area during a two-week period.

A team from the Department of Physical Therapy screened 171 children of migrant farm workers for gross and fine motor development in the school, and evaluated and treated 91 farm workers. Those participating included 17 Doctor of Physical Therapy students, two alumni, and three physical therapy faculty members, Dr. Karen Burgbacher, Dr. Haley McDonald and Dr. Bob Cantu.

DPT student Adira Chackonal said the experience was eye-opening.

"Working with the kids and adults showed me how much of a privileged life I live," Chackonal said. "It humbled me, and made me appreciate their hard work and dedication to their community. Providing them with medical screening was the least we can do to show our appreciation and care for this population."

Other DPT students shared similar viewpoints, including Anna Good.

"We were able to improve our physical therapy skills, but the greatest benefit was being exposed to where we get our food from and who we get our food from," Good said. "It has caused me to be more mindful about the significant role migrant farm workers play in the functioning of our communities, and to be thankful each day for the life I have been blessed to live."

DPT student Anthony Peterson said he was unsure what to expect at first, but immediately connected to the experience when he arrived.

"As healthcare providers, we have the ability to change lives for the better," Peterson said. "We should all seize the opportunity to do so, and be grateful that we can learn so much from the amazing people of this community."

Cantu said the trip helps develop a well-rounded perspective on the job of a physical therapist.

"The students have the opportunity to work with these individuals under faculty supervision. It is helpful for them clinically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually," Cantu said. "They are able to get outside of themselves and see a way of life that is not always visible. It heightens and develops their sense of social responsibility."

Additionally, the students raised funds to help offset costs, with Benchmark Physical Therapy and Athletico Physical Therapy offering sponsorships to help the PT department make the trip.

"We are so thankful to all our corporate and individual sponsors for their donations that enabled us to go and be a part of this amazing program," Cantu said.

Assistant Professor of Education Laura Cantu, Ed.D., also attended the trip. In the past, she has led cohorts of education students to Moultrie to assist the farm workers' children with reading and developmental skills. This year, Laura Cantu worked to help the children get proper medical care.

"I helped prepare the young children to allow the students to check their hearing. After playing a game before the screening, I was able to sit with them during a successful hearing screen attempt," Laura Cantu said. "These were children who were unable to be tested prior to my interventions. These healthcare screenings can help them get services they may need early in life and change the trajectory of having a healthier and more productive future, battling healthcare disparity."

Laura Cantu also conducted educational and social/emotional screenings on children in order to make recommendations for further evaluations.

Lucinda Grapenthin, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology and director of the Brenau Center for Counseling and Psychological Services in Norcross, said students from the Lynn J. Darby School of Psychology and Adolescent Counseling assess the children's developmental needs.

"We look for any social, emotional or educational concerns that might be happening with the kids," Grapenthin said. "We're also leading activities, playing games, activities that would address things like understanding their emotions, helping them learn how to label their feelings, and teaching coping strategies."

In the evening, as students from other disciplines practice their clinical skills, Grapenthin said psychology students talk to the farm workers about self-care and general mental wellness, as well as support for those who are struggling with acute mental health issues.

The Moultrie Farm Workers Family Health Program has occurred annually for almost three decades. The interdisciplinary health service initiative involves multiple universities and is headed by Emory University.

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