CCAS  >  Welcome to ILAC

Welcome to ILAC

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?"  And I said, "Here am I! Send me."
Isaiah 6:8

 

Welcome to the website for the Institute for Latin American Concern (ILAC) at Creighton University, a department within University Ministry.  We hope you will take the time to look at the many opportunities to serve and be served in partnership with the ILAC Mission in the Dominican Republic.  We have a place for you if you have the "heart" to serve, whether you are a student, professional or lay person.  Although you may give up the comforts of home during a typical ILAC Immersion Experience, you will get much more in return.

ILAC is an international, Catholic, Ignatian-inspired, collaborative health care and educational organization that exists to promote the integral well-being and spiritual growth of all of its participants.

ILAC Update!

12/1/08

In late October and early November, ILAC had two medical teams come in and perform surgeries.  The first group was a group led by Dr. Chait from Omaha, Nebraska's Boystown Hospital.  They were an ENT group of about 20 people who all helped in 88 surgeries of the Ears Nose and Throat.  It was the operation's first time in the Dominican Republic.  It was not easy at times, but it was very uplifting for everyone.  Most of their surgeries were taking out tonsils and adenoids along with some surgeries for draining out infections in ears.  Many children came from a long distance away and waited long days to get looked at or to have surgeries, to leave ILAC in pain, but are looking forward to a better and brighter future as they will no longer have infections, nutrition problems and restless sleeping from infected tonsils, ears, and adenoids.

 

At the beginning of November, the Hernia surgery team came to ILAC for their 5th year.  This group, led by Dr. Filipi (CUMC), consisted of about 40 people coming from all over the world to evaluate hundreds of people from surrounding campos to see if they need hernia surgeries.  The week long mission was during the same time our country was electing a new president.  People from different political views, from different cultures, religions, languages and countries were all brought together at ILAC to see history in the making.  This history was experienced both for the United States as well as for those who were getting surgery that week.

 

Borders and nations tell us that we are separate, different people, but that week was a testimony and a lesson to all that we as God's people are all the same.  A saying that you hear often in the Dominican Republic, "Todos tenemos la misma sangre" (We all have the same blood).