The FSU/FAMU Global Health Collaboration is an interdisciplinary and interinstitutional team composed of faculty and students from FAMU College of Pharmacy, FSU College of Medicine, FSU College of Nursing, FAMU Institute of Public Health and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine that have collaborated together to supplement technical training, scientific knowledge and research, and evidence-based global health innovations. 

We are excited to continue putting our mission into action as we launch a fundraiser and technology drive for the development of an electronic medical record (EMR) system in the rural Honduras village, Gracias a Dios. Gracias a Dios has the highest poverty rate in Honduras and there is a significant lack of access to medical facilities and health services. Implementing an electronic medical record system within this community has the potential to improve health care accessibility and health documentation while decreasing medical errors, adverse drug events, and unnecessary repeat laboratory and radiology testing. Referencing prior pilot studies that have attempted electronic medical record implementation in rural communities, some of the largest concerns are cost, climate conditions, health care and technical support infrastructure, and access to the internet and electricity. To address many of these concerns, we will be utilizing a modified electronic medical system called  Backpack EMR. Backpack EMR was first established in 2014 and since then it has been piloted for use in telemedicine visits and medical mission trips. This EMR system utilizes a low-cost hardware package, has established technical support services and possesses the ability to work in extreme climate conditions, including in the absence of internet access or electricity. 

With your support, we will pilot the implementation of Backpack EMR in Gracias a Dios, Honduras, with hopes of expanding into more rural villages if successful. To accomplish this goal, we require funding support for iPad acquisition and to cover the purchase and training costs associated with Backpack EMR software and hardware and training of the system to providers and village health workers in Gracias a Dios. You can also contribute to our technology drive if you have any old iPads manufactured after 2015 that you would like to donate. Please contact Genevieve Patrick at gap16g@fsu.edu or Brooke Hartenstein at bah13@fsu.edu for inquiries regarding iPad donations or general information about our program.  We thank you for your time and contribution! 

For more information about our organization and current projects, please visit https://globalhealthfsufam.wixsite.com/my-site