MTSU student nurses need the community’s help to fund a medical mission to Central America next month.

The MTSU Student Nurses Association will host a silent auction from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, April 15, in the first-floor lobby of the Cason-Kennedy Nursing Building.

MTSU student nurses prepare for a medical mission to Central America next month. The participants include, front row, from left, Terry Dewaratanawanich of Antioch, Tenn.; Andrea Phillips of Nolensville, Tenn.; Beth Schaller of Beavercreek, Ohio; Kelly English of Mt. Juliet, Tenn.; Amy Atwood of Nashville; and Bethany Baker of Murfreesboro. On the back row, from left are Mysti Motz of Murfreesboro; Tyler Davis of White House, Tenn.; Steve Tyree of Lascassas, Tenn.; Assistant Professor Paul Williamson; Tori Cox of Thompson’s Station, Tenn.; and Grace Zimmerman of Nashville. (photo submitted)

Items available for bid include Nashville Toffee Company candies, a Mary Kay makeup basket, a stethoscope, gift cards from local restaurants and more.

All proceeds will go toward the expenses of medical supplies and medications that 11 nursing students will take with them to Los Robles, Guatemala, May 18-26 to serve the medically needy.

Each member of the MTSU entourage, under the supervision of nursing professor and registered nurse Paul Williamson, will take 50 pounds of supplies to the small clinic in Los Robles. The supplies will include over-the-counter pain relievers, gastrointestinal medications and prenatal and children’s vitamins.

“The Guatemalans living in Los Robles are faced with many skin infections and malnutrition,” says student nurse Grace Zimmerman, a senior from Nashville.

“With the help of our professor and a Spanish translator, we hope to deliver health care and medications to hundreds of people in desperate need.”

Middle Tennessee Medical Center has donated $5,000 as well as medical supplies worth another $5,000. The group also has received medication donations from dental offices, hospitals and other supports, including MTSU’s Office of Education Abroad.

Auction winners must be present at 4 p.m. to pay and receive their items. For more information, contact Williamson at 615-494-8729 or paul.williamson@mtsu.edu.

For auction parking information, go to http://tinyurl.com/MTParkingMap12-13.

— Gina K. Logue (gina.logue@mtsu.edu)