A Beacon of Light in Healthcare
BY Natalie Wadley ’14
3 MIN. READ
Nursing students at Anderson University participate in an intercultural experience to broaden their understanding of healthcare around the world. Across the pond in Ireland this past spring, a group of senior nursing students were able to do just that while serving at Tiglin, a nonprofit organization aimed at helping individuals overcome addiction, homelessness, and other challenges.
Located in Dublin, Ireland, the nonprofit offers a wide variety of social services, including men’s and women’s rehabilitation centers, long-term transitional housing support, crisis homeless services, a social enterprise cafe, life skills training, and continuing education opportunities. The organization seeks to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those experiencing addiction and homelessness with the mission of helping people become “psychologically well, socially adjusted, physically healthy, and spiritually alive.”
The team of 13 students and two faculty served hundreds of hot meals to homeless men and women while at Tiglin at the Lighthouse, the organization’s homeless cafe that provides meals, groceries, clothing, and other supplies. Students also spent time at the men’s and women’s rehab centers, where they participated in worship and testimony sessions and put their clinical skills into action through wellness screenings and health education.
“As we were sharing health information and education, one of the residents asked very specific questions about tests they were having done. One of our students stepped out in faith and asked if they would like prayer for that situation,” said Dama O’Keefe, dean of the College of Nursing, Kinesiology, and Public Health. “The resident was very touched by that kindness, and it served as a pivotal moment for our students and the residents in building connection and trust.”
Many of the residents have not prioritized regular health checks due to homelessness, drug addictions, or other factors. While Tiglin strives to promote a healthy lifestyle and physical wellness for its residents, it still lacks a full-time nurse or physician.
For the health education sessions, nursing students prepared short presentations on specific topics to help residents better understand illnesses and conditions and how they might care for themselves if faced with that health concern. After their presentations, students provided wellness exams for residents that included taking vitals, listening to the heart and lungs, and providing recommendations for age-appropriate screenings and care they can consider.
“Having had these students as sophomores, it was incredibly impactful to see the culmination of their education in action on this trip as they educated the residents and provided screenings,” shared O’Keefe.
“An even greater blessing to witness was the spiritual growth from these students within such a short time. To see them step out in faith and connect with residents, lead devotions, and pray over them was remarkable.”
Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.