News
News Brief: Seminar Prepares Students for Safe Travel
March 26, 2019
Pictured: NYIT Center for Global Health’s Lillian Niwagaba introduces NYU Winthrop Hospital’s Theresa Fiorito.
On Tuesday, March 26, the NYIT Center for Global Health partnered with NYU Winthrop Hospital’s Family Travel Clinic for an educational forum on travel and safety precautions. NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) students preparing for the Center’s upcoming trips attended the lecture, which took place in the Rockefeller Auditorium and included a discussion led by Theresa Fiorito, M.D., director of the Family Travel Clinic at NYU Winthrop Hospital.
Studying or traveling abroad can expose students to potentially serious health risks, including infectious diseases, contaminated food and water, and altitude sickness. As students increasingly seek international and multicultural experiences, they must also become familiar with health risks endemic to specific regions of the world.
In an engaging and informative presentation, Fiorito provided little-known facts regarding vaccinations, foodborne illness, and travel safety, including the fact that medication commonly prescribed in the United States may be unavailable or prohibited in some countries. She also advised students to enroll in the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive safety updates and alerts in the event of an emergency.
“Our study abroad programs help to enrich our students’ education and open their eyes to a world of possibilities. This forum provided many tips to ensure that those experiences will be safe and enjoyable,” said Lillian Niwagaba, Ph.D., director, NYIT Center for Global Health.
In June, NYITCOM and NYIT School of Health Professions students will be among the more than 325,000 U.S. college students studying abroad this year. As in past years, the Center’s students will work alongside local physicians and their NYIT preceptors to treat patients, conduct screenings, and lead hygiene and health workshops.
Learn more about the Center for Global Health’s 2018 excursions, and be sure to check The Box for an update on this year’s trip.
