August 2023
Nancy McKeown, an audiologist with UnitedHealthcare Hearing, had the honor of visiting Zaatari and Azraq refugee camps, the largest established Syrian camps outside of Syria. Zaatari houses 80,000 refugees, many sharing 1-bedroom huts for 10–15 people, and Azraq hosts close to 40,000 refugees. Dr. McKeown and colleagues fit 36 children at Zaatari camp on the first day and 24 children on the second day.
The trip also included a visit to the King Hussein Cancer Center, where Palestinian refugees came from area refugee camps to seek hearing aids post chemotherapy and radiation therapy. During the visit, the group provided hearing aids to 28 children and adults. They also were able to have audiology students shadow them and had an otolaryngologist with them to assist with patients. The center is looking forward to having the group return in the future.
If you’re interested in more information about how you can help or participate, please contact Dr. Nancy McKeown at nancy.mckeown@optum.com.