La Clinica de la Mariposa Puts Northwestern Health Sciences University Students into Practice

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Six chiropractic students from Northwestern Health Sciences University traveled to Costa Rica in October 2008 to perform professional chiropractic work with the project La Clinica de la Mariposa.

La Clinica de la Mariposa works with the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA). Through this program, volunteers provide care to lower income communities. There are nine Costa Rican communities in total that are served by CFCA.

Northwestern participates in three La Clinica de la Mariposa trips per year. Each trip is limited to six students, and the application process is selective, according to Jim Hulbert, PhD, an associate professor with the University’s bachelor’s degree completion program, and one of the faculty members involved in the La Clinica project. He went on to say that students operate under little supervision; they are encouraged to make their own decisions; and interact with supervising professionals and other students to figure out how to treat each patient. Although only chiropractic students were scheduled to go on the October trip, the preference would be to have all three University programs participating, said Dr. Hulbert. Plans are underway to include acupuncture and massage therapy students in future trips.

According to Dr. Hulbert, La Clinica de la Mariposa is not a Northwestern project; however, Northwestern has been supportive since day one. Northwestern has been increasing support through funding, sending supplies, and encouraging faculty to serve. “This project puts Northwestern on the map and is a good recruitment tool,” noted Dr. Hulbert. “Several students have said this opportunity is a reason Northwestern is an attractive school of choice.”

Northwestern Health Sciences University offers a wide array of choices in natural health care education including chiropractic, Oriental medicine, acupuncture, therapeutic massage and human biology. The University has nearly 900 students on a 25-acre campus in Bloomington, Minnesota.