Lessons and Service Among the Sugarcane

by Shelby Bowman '26

For a group of Wilson College students, the start of the new year will mean more than just another semester; it will mean delivering healthcare to the sugarcane fields of the Dominican Republic. Sherri Stahl, RN, MHA, NEA-BC, instructor of nursing, and Wendell Smith, Ph.D., professor of Spanish, will lead the weeklong trip, scheduled for January 4-11, 2026. Together, they will guide students in providing essential medical services to residents of La Romana, a coastal town in the eastern Dominican Republic. 

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Medical missions trip, 2023

This marks the fourth time Smith has organized the trip. Since 2018, the program has combined service learning with language immersion, giving students the chance to apply both skills in real-world settings. “Speaking Spanish in a classroom is a practice game, and students really don't have confidence in their abilities until they've actually used the language in a real situation,” said Smith. “This experience helps students take responsibility for their own competence in the language and gives them confidence.”   

For nursing students, the experience is equally transformative. Throughout the week, they will operate a medical clinic in the remote sugarcane fields, offering services such as blood pressure measurements, wound care, family planning, and even dentistry.  

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Many students return from the trip inspired to continue serving others. “There's a lot that ignites the need for a continued pathway—to continue to do service trips and serve—that becomes part of their nursing way of life,” said Stahl.  

To help support the mission, Wilson College held a fundraiser in late September. The evening featured Christian merengue music performed by Revelación Maranatha, a Latin American orchestra from La Romana. The concert raised $1,000, and during the event organizers announced an additional $5,000 gift to Wilson’s Spanish Department to help cover the clinic costs. 

This gift came from the estate of Louise Buttrick-Davies ‘53, whose memories of her Wilson years included a regularly hosted a Spanish conversation hour and special housing on campus in which students spoke only Spanish. “Her fond memories of Wilson College were connected to learning Spanish, and that's why she dedicated it to the Spanish department,” said Professor Smith.  

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In total, the fundraiser raised $6,000, further supporting the students’ efforts. The trip promises to make a meaningful difference in the community while empowering students to gain hands-on experience and make the world a better place.