Source: GoFundMe

Julie Lee Lambert, a highly esteemed science educator at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), is slowly recovering from a brain aneurysm that kept her hospitalized in Costa Rica for 49 days.

As previously reported by The Costa Rica Star, Professor Lambert came to our country as an academic tourist to attend a conference. During her visit, she suffered a brain aneurysm that required various surgeries at Clinica Biblica in San Jose. She would later recover from a coma only to find herself stranded in Costa Rica.

Alana Edwards, a fellow FAU staff member and close friend to Professor Lambert, recently issued an update on her dear friend’s status:

Julie has now been home almost two weeks. She is slowly recovering and would love to hear from you. Your support covered her trip home and is covering her numerous medical bills that are starting to come in.

Today we read through a pile of the cards and letters that were sent to her. She loved them all and appreciates that you are praying for her and thinking about her.

Since she arrived here, she has switched rooms. She is now in room 476.

I know that she would love to hear from you all! If you want to send cards, you can send them to:

Julie Lambert
Ryder Trauma Center, Room 476
Jackson Memorial Hospital
1800 N.W. 10th Avenue
Miami, FL 33136

Ms. Lambert had set up a GoFundMe campaign to cover the costs of a medical flight that would have returned Professor Lambert back to South Florida. In the end, Clinica Biblica approved a commercial flight as long as it was on first class and under the supervision of a nurse. The Costa Rica Star chose to donate to this effort.

Professor Lambert’s family hired Adriana, a nurse from Costa Rica, to fly back with the convalescent educator.

The reporting by The Costa Rica Star of Professor Lambert’s incident brought up an interesting discussion about modern media ethics. The initial report was mistakenly posted as a media release issued by FAU, when in reality was the copyright of the University Press, a student newspaper published on campus. FAU is a public state university funded by the people of Florida.

The story author, Ryan Lynch, initially contacted The Costa Rica Star and requested that his article be taken down. He explained that the University Press is not affiliated with FAU, and this was further corroborated by Joshua D. Glanzer, Assistant Vice President of Media Relations and Public Affairs. Emily Bloch, Editor-in-Chief of the University Press echoed the sentiment of Mr. Lynch and Mr. Glanzer.

The reaction above was not welcomed by many readers who believed that Professor Lambert’s status and the effort to fly her back home were more important than a byline. Mr. Lynch’s article launched a meaningful discussion on whether Workers’ Compensation should extend to academic conferences for educators of Florida public universities, and whether FAU should offer travel insurance for educators and students. These are all good talking points since FAU has a study abroad program in Costa Rica.

As of June 19th, the FAU News Desk and the University Press have not reported on the return of Professor Lambert.

The Costa Rica Star herewith wishes Professor Lambert a smooth recovery next to her loved ones, and we hope she is able to return to the classroom.