ISU-Meridian’s Judy Thorne to travel to Uganda with medical team

Judy Thorne, ISU-Meridian’s HIV educator, will leave Boise July 16 to begin two weeks of medical service at the Nsumba orphanage near Entebbe, Uganda on Lake Victoria. She is one of five core members of a medical team, led

by Boise physician Margaret Doucette, that will document the medical history and health care of approximately 600 students served by the orphanage. Thorne’s task is to develop the HIV testing and referral portion of the medical record.

“I see this as both a professional and personal challenge since many of the students reside at the orphanage because their parents died from AIDS,” said Thorne.  “Fortunately, there are resources in Uganda for HIV medications and care so we are developing the appropriate links for these children to access services.”

Several Treasure Valley high school seniors and college students, who’ll be traveling with the medical team to assist with community-based projects, will document the trip in a blog at that will be featured on the website of Boise television station KTVB.