TU staff and students helping Iraq's doctors and medical personnel

Some special packages are heading to Iraq from the University of Tulsa. Those packages include much needed medical literature, that doctors in Iraq and other medical professionals haven't had access

Thursday, November 11th 2004, 10:16 am

By: News On 6

Some special packages are heading to Iraq from the University of Tulsa. Those packages include much needed medical literature, that doctors in Iraq and other medical professionals haven't had access to in years.

It's all being done by a group of TU students and professors. News on 6 anchor Craig Day says in a small conference room on the 3rd floor of TU's Lorton Hall, a group of students hope to box up and deliver hope, hope for the Iraqi people in the form of medical journals and textbooks.

TU assistant Professor Dr Joanne Davis: "From what he has told me, they haven't had access to medical texts, recent information for at least the past ten years, and so there is a great need." 50 boxes of materials. That's on top of the 15 boxes they have already sent. Since July, students have gathered up items from area doctor's offices, clinics and hospitals.

They'll go to Iraq, where a former TU student in the military will make sure they get to health professionals. "The materials include all kinds of items. Things like workbooks. Here's a book on surgery, principles and practices and a complete drug reference guide. It's hoped at least in some small way all of these items help to improve the medical care of people in Iraq."

April Hastings is a psychology student. "Essentially I can't go over there. But to me the best thing I can do is to just donate my time." The students hope that commitment of time helps save lives. They say though Iraqi's may still be short on medical supplies, soon they won't lack information.

The TU students and professors say they'll continue to gather up the medical journals and books as long as they get donations.