Month: April 2015

Dietrich/Mulder/Gerke Trip Report

The Dietrich/Mulder/Gerke orthopedic/anesthesia team spent April 19 – 24, 2015 at Hopital Adventiste d’Haiti (HAH) and the following is their report. Terry and Jeannie Dietrich have established the Dietrich Haiti Indigent Patient Fund through Amistad International to create an endowment that will sustain itself to facilitate patients who don’t have the means to pay for life-changing surgeries. …

The Dietrichs

Beginning with a trip to Africa when Terry was a senior medical student, the Dietrichs have compiled an impressive resume of volunteer service.  Over the past 40 years Terry and Jeannie have worked in numerous countries including longterm stints in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Haiti.  Most volunteers do so at the beginning or end of …

Corey Burke Trip Report

Corey Burke is a 3rd year medical student from Loma Linda University with an interest in pursuing a career as an orthopedic surgeon.  He recently returned from spending 2wks volunteering at Hopital Adventiste d’Haiti. When I think about HAH, I see a young girl waiting in the pre-op room smiling at me. She can’t contain …

To Our Donors

The following is the seventh and final installment of Scott Nelson’s March, 2015 Trip Report Series. The accomplishments and plans mentioned in the previous posts do not happen without the support of our generous donors.  I would like to thank those who have contributed in a special way and remind you that your investment is making …

Hospital Economics

The following is Part 6 of Scott Nelson’s March, 2015 Trip Report Series. Since the loss of the US Embassy contract to provide history and physical exams for Haitians applying for a visa, the hospital has been in a severe financial crisis.  This provided about $60,000US per month, which is around 60% of the hospital …

Update On Current Projects

The following is Part 5 of the March, 2015 Trip Report Series written by Scott Nelson. Although our previous operating room was recently reported to me as being one of the best in Haiti, in reality it was not adequate for doing the quality and volume of work that we envision.  A major renovation was …

Trip In A Nutshell

The following is Part 4 of the March, 2015 Trip Report Series written by Scott Nelson. Patient care, administration, and organization were the 3 main areas of focus for this trip.  Dr. Mark Mildren PGY4 ortho resident, Corey Burke 3rd year medical student, John Anderson MD orthopaedic surgeon LLUSM graduate year 2000 and our two …

The Importance of HAH

The following post was written by Scott Nelson who returned last Friday from another visit to Hopital Adventiste d’Haiti.  This is Part 3 of the March, 2015 Trip Report Series. A few blocks away from the Basilique Notre-Dame (still in ruins noted in image above) is a local hospital for which I will keep the …

Restavek Freedom

A few weeks ago Elaine Lewis met a man who brought in a patient who needed surgical care to Hopital Adventiste d’Haiti.  As it turns out the gentleman is the coordinator for the Restavek Freedom ministry in Haiti. Restavek (restavec in French) is the name for child slaves in Haiti. Children who are desperately poor …

Balance

The following post was written a few days ago by Scott Nelson who is currently at HAH with son Chad, orthopedic surgeon John Anderson and family, orthopedic resident Mark Mildren and medical student Corey Burke.  This is Part 2 of the March, 2015 Trip Report Series. My life is not necessarily in balance.  In fact, …