Houghton University Professor, Dr. David Brubaker’s story of volunteering at BCH as a Fulbright Scholar
Dr. David Brubaker (center) with nursing students from Uganda Nursing School-Bwindi
My name is David Brubaker. I am a family doctor from rural Western New York state in the United States. I am in Uganda for this academic year on a Fulbright Grant, teaching Anatomy and Physiology to future nurses and clinical officers at the Uganda Nursing School – Bwindi. I first heard about Bwindi Community Hospital and its associated training programs from Dr. Scott Kellermann, the hospital’s founder, who visited my hometown and told me about their origins and the excellent work they are doing in an underserved part of the world. I decided to look into the possibility of coming for a year to be a part of the Bwindi team. I have greatly enjoyed the opportunity to develop relationships with students and fellow Ugandan staff. I have been learning about how to be a more effective teacher, enjoying the chance to share ideas and techniques with colleagues. It is a pleasure to participate, even in this small way, in the school’s mission of working to meet the healthcare needs of the area. It’s very meaningful work to be a part of.
My wife, LuAnne, has been volunteering at the hospital communications office and at the Batwa Development Program, a sister organization to BCH working to serve the Batwa people, who were evicted from their home in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest when it was designated as a national park. She, likewise, has enjoyed connecting with coworkers and has been grateful for how she has been welcomed to the team.
Over the two months that we have been here so far, we have found that Ugandans have much to teach us about valuing relationships and community; about being joyful in difficulty; about not taking things for granted; and about being thankful for every opportunity that each day brings. It is our privilege to be here, and we are grateful to be serving alongside the staff at the Bwindi Community Hospital, Uganda Nursing school Bwindi, Uganda College of Health Sciences Bwindi and Batwa Development Program.
