The Students for International Mission Service (SIMS) mission trip to Cuba provided a rare opportunity to apply and adapt a wide range of social work skills while serving the people of Cuba. This mission required us to quickly adapt the clinical skills we learned in California and apply them in a new cultural context while working with a different population, setting, language, and team—all within a condensed 10-day timeframe.
The mission group quickly developed into a cohesive team, rapidly progressing through the stages of forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. The group was cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary, consisting of students from occupational therapy, speech therapy, nursing, radiation technology, physician assistant program, social work, psychology, marriage and family therapy, and physical therapy. Perhaps the red-eye flight with two stops was a strategic SIMS tactic to support our bonding and expedite relationship-building. More likely, it was the shared commitment to service, the immediate sense of humility we felt upon arriving in Cuba—an experience that transported us back to the mid-20th century—and the awe we continued to feel while living and serving in Cuba, that truly bonded our group and resulted in extraordinary service work.
During the mission, 22 healthcare students and professionals worked alongside the Cuban Red Cross and Seventh-day Adventist staff to organize health fairs across six towns. We provided a range of services, including height and weight measurements, blood pressure and blood glucose screenings, cancer health education (with instruction on self-breast exams), CPR lessons, dental hygiene education (along with toothbrushes and toothpaste), and simplified vision tests (with reading glasses).
One key observation was the widespread prevalence of high blood pressure. Given the limited access to some medications, we added a station focused on paced breathing techniques as a non-medication intervention. After completing the various stations, participants spent time socializing and received bread and juice before leaving the fair with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and reading glasses in hand—and, we hope, with fuller hearts following our cross-cultural exchange.
We served approximately 250 people at each health fair, reaching a total of about 1,500 individuals. As Cubans exited the fairs, we were often greeted with smiles and gratitude. Reflecting on the concept of service, it is truly "twice-blessed"—it blesses both those who give and those who receive. It was a privilege to work alongside such an esteemed team of allied health professionals and to serve the people of Cuba.
Written by Elana Berman, LCSW, SEP, DSW student
