U.S. Peace Corps and Ecuador’s Ministry of Health

The Peace Corps is a U.S. government agency that sends volunteers to work with communities abroad to promote peace and understanding. During my Peace Corps service, I worked as a Health Ambassador with the Ecuadorian Ministry of Health at two rural health centers in the Province of Manabí. In approximately two years, I:

• Digitized paper health records, reducing waiting room times by 90 minutes.

• Improved patient flow through care by 30 minutes using Lean Method principles.

• Increased the consumption of clean drinking water among rural residents from an average of 0 cups to 4 cups (1 liter) per day. This was accomplished by applying the Health Belief Model and Social Cognitive Theory to educate community members about the benefits of drinking clean water.

• Tripled participation in the Elderly Walking Club for chronically ill patients interested in managing weight using principles from Trans-Theoretical Model and Social Cognitive Theory.