Decision Day! What was the final result?

After many meetings, calls, consultations, etc. we finally had a concrete plan to present to the hospital!

On Friday, May 24th, 2019, we had our meeting at 2 p.m. with Luz Aida Mejia (an Epidemiological Surveillance and Research Coordinator), Dr. Ortega (board member and doctor who now focuses on the administration), and Beatriz (head nurse). We presented a slide show with our survey findings, the routes we made, the costs, and the steps that come next.

They were very pleased with the result of our project and were also amazed behind the importance of it as well. They were very aware of the social change this could create in their hospital and value the enthusiasm many people at the hospital already have for this project. They agreed to go through with it!

The meeting was very effective and the feedback they gave us was very helpful. Some of the things they said were also new, providing us with a different outlook on the situation. The biggest thing we take from this is honestly some kind of relief. We were very nervous that the project was getting the hopes up of many of the employees as it is something many have been interested in and have helped us. Even though it might not work in the end, we are happy to have passed this very important step.

The next steps are to speak with human resources, the rest of the board members, and the head nun of the hospital in a conference like meeting in the upcoming weeks. Meanwhile, we present this project to the school and also keep organizing some of the things they gave us feedback on, as well as prep for a more concrete plan in case this goes through.

If that were the case, we have decided not to leave the hospital alone in this endeavor, but plan to keep participating until it is a completely sustainable project on its own. The idea would be to create a trial run for one or two months first and then implement the idea completely.

This project has become something very personal for us as we realize the hardships they have to work through and we have learned to really empathize with their situation. We are very glad this is going as planned and that we are starting the first part of what could be a huge, life-changing project for the hospital.

Besides that, we are really satisfied and amazed by the impact we have left with this project. In the beginning, we noticed the reluctance of management and how some of the administration didn't really understand or value the project, but towards the end, many people are on board with it and have high hopes for what it could ultimately bring.

We can not wait to move this project forward, hopefully, everything works out and we are able to improve the lives of the employees and their quality of work.