Citadel students host free medical camp in Kenya

Associate Professor for Health and Human Performance Sarah Imam, M.D., and Assistant Professor Kimbo Yee traveled with 23 cadets and one graduate student to Kenya in June, where they provided medical services to underprivileged residents. For three weeks, the group operated medical clinics with free services in the slum areas of Kibera, Kariobangi and Koyole in Nairobi. They were joined by one other student from another institute and alumni volunteer Lenny Swain, ’69.

The group treated more than 10,900 patients and distributed more than 1200 pairs of glasses. The Citadel team also referred 210 patients for life-saving or life-altering treatment, which they paid for out of grant money, the first medical camp in the area to do so. Not only is The Citadel’s camp the largest free primary health care provider in Kenya, but The Citadel is the only U.S. institution designing and operating its own medical camp independently in the country.

The Citadel service-learning program in Kenya, now in its third year, is made possible by the Swain family—Chris, ’81, and his wife, Debbie, and David, ’80, and his wife Mary.