Clinicians of the World
Clinicians of the World
Life in Haiti After The Earthquake
In This Issue
A Nurse's Haiti Experience
HAITI: An American Doctor's Perspective
Our Deworming Program: A New Initiative
Volunteer Opportunities
Our Sponsors
Quick Links

June/2010
In the OR
Hello There,

On May 21, 2010 with the generous support of people who share our vision, Clinicians of the World mobilized a team of 18 skilled and dedicated medical volunteers to Haiti, to provide specialized medical care and health education to struggling Haitian men, women and children in their time of need.  The objective of our efforts in Haiti is to help the Haitian people meet their long term health care needs and transition from relief to self-reliance.   

All of our volunteers returned back home safely without getting sick or injured.  We worked mainly in a small town of about 20,000 people close to the Dominican Republic border called Fonds Parisien.  As a group, we saw over 1100 patients- everything from typhoid, tetanus, malaria, HIV infections, TB, hypertension to scabies and intestinal worms. We performed over 20 life-saving operations and delivered more than $73,000 worth of medical supplies and equipment. 
 
We also provided cardiology opinions and medical education to the Haitian Staff at the main university hospital in down-town Port-au-Prince.  We saw two special cardiology cases- one was a 23 year old nursing student with critical mitral valve stenosis and the second, a five month-old baby with a large ventricular septal defect (VSD), that we plan to bring to the U.S for surgery.  In particular, the baby will live a normal life if he receives an operation in the 1st year of life.  Otherwise, his health will slowly decline until death.

We also coordinated with local medical staff to set up and open a new neonatal and pediatric intensive care unit (NICU/PICU) at the university hospital in Port-au-Prince. This achievement marked a big milestone, since all the babies hospitalized there were being treated in tents under 95+ degree weather and could be transferred to the much cooler and comfortable building where the unit is located.

Overall we had a great experience and hopefully helped in some small way.

Thank you for your generosity and support in our life-saving work.

Sincerely,

Rowlens
 
Rowlens M. Melduni, M.D
President and CEO
Clinicians of the World
 
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."  Gandhi
Lending a Helping Hand: A Nurse's Experience in Haiti
By Dawn Sanderman, Pediatric RN

After arriving home from my mission trip to Haiti, many friends and family approached me eagerly asking "How was your trip?!"  I soon realized that this question was a lot harder to answer than I thought. I figured out that there was no way to put it into words and that saying "It was good, a great experience!", did not even come close to how I felt about the trip. As it was my first mission trip, the experience has been very powerful and emotional for me. 
 
We were welcomed by the Haitian people into their homeland with open arms and they trusted us to take care of them the best we could.  What
seemed like little gestures for us were so appreciated by all those we touched.  

To see the abject poverty, and the way the people live with almost nothing, and yet, maintain their spirituality and family dynamics was unforgettable. 
 
My favorite part of the trip was going to the mobile field clinics across Haiti's largest lake, Étang Saumâtre (Lac Azuei) in southeastern Haiti, bordering the Dominican Republic.  We went to three small villages where there was no electricity or running water. The people would wait so patiently for hours to see a doctor or a nurse.  It was wonderful to be able to listen to their needs, pains, and concerns.


We treated so many infections and helped with other treatments that really made a difference in their lives.  Seeing the smiles on their faces as they left was so rewarding.  Handing out the hygiene kits that I made with the help of my sorority sisters was very fulfilling.  I was in awe of their appreciation. 
 
I could not have done this trip though without the support of my family, especially my husband and children, my friends, my church, my sorority, and all of the people in the Decorah area (Iowa) who didn't know who I was, but trusted in me to go and make a difference in the lives of the people of Haiti.  I also want to thank Clinicians of the World and the team I went with.  They took me under their wings and gave me an experience I will never forget.  The people of Haiti will live in my heart forever.
HAITI: An American Doctor's Perspective

By Sonia D. Winslett, M.S., M.D.

Haiti is beautiful, I thought, as I looked from a hotel rooftop.  The mountains and the vast expanse of trees are a gorgeous site to behold.  It was so easy to focus on the beauty from this view.  Yet, as I looked between the railings I could not ignore the tents that reminded me of the poverty that is even more overwhelming than Haiti's beauty.
 
I was a physician volunteer in Haiti assigned to work in the emergency department of a public hospital called Hopital De L'Universite D'Etat D'Haiti (HUEH) in Port-Au-Prince.  When I arrived, emergency services were still provided outside under a tarp and within a tent before we relocated indoors.
 
As I began to understand Haitian healthcare, I wondered if the Haitian relief strategy was optimal.  I applaud and support volunteers who risked their lives to respond to the immediate post-earthquake period.  Medical teams successfully rescued and saved thousands of injured victims. Months later, however, the need for medical volunteers at the university hospital is still overwhelming.  At HUEH, Haitian staff had not been paid for months and some had decided, probably with difficulty, to stop working.
 
I began to ask and still ask myself, "why was I there?"  Would it have been better to hire and pay Haitian staff to care for eathquake victims? Some Haitian staff were themselves living in tents and would probably have appreciated an income.  The wages could then be recycled in the community to assist in improving its economic base.
 
In the long run, I believe we could help Haiti most efficiently by creating employment opportunities, involving Haitians with planning and implementing future projects within Haiti.  

Clinicians of the World Plans to Help Eradicate Parasitic Infections in Haiti
Although intestinal worms is no longer a problem in most developed countries, most kids in poor countries have worms, and the result is anemia, malnutrition and sicknesses that cause absences from school. 
 
Worms are transmitted via eggs which pass out of infected individuals in feces or urine which then contaminate soil or water. Infection occurs following contact (ingestion or skin) with contaminated food, soil or water, depending on the species.
 
Worms live in the intestines, liver and/or blood vessels surrounding the urinary tract and do not multiply in the body. Their numbers increase through repeated infection from renewed contact with contaminated soil or water.
 
Worm infections cause health problems that both impair children's health physical and cognitive development and limit attendance and performance in school, hampering a child's development and a chance at brighter future.
Deworming children in the third world is an economic and educational priority. It is a crucial step towards achieving universal primary education and improving children's long-term productivity. 
 
If left untreated, infected children will contribute less to the economic development of their community as adults. One of the best ways of eradicating worms in an impoverished community is to improve sanitation and public health. 
  
Clinicians of the World deworming program is safe, simple and cost-effective. 
 
Our Deworming Program involves:
1. Building Latrines for the community.
2. Partnering with other organizations to build wells to provide clean running water.
3. Educating the community about simple hand-washing and cleanliness of food.
4. Treating children with one anti-helminthic pill once a year.
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
Hope for Haiti Medical Mission Trip
 
DESCRIPTION

Clinicians of the World, a neutral and nonpartisan global non-profit medical humanitarian organization, is now recruiting medical and non-medical volunteers for a short-term Medical Mission Trip to Haiti.  The need for good-hearted and service-oriented people who can volunteer their time in Haiti has reached desperate proportions.
 
As a component of our new Deworming Program, we are also seeking volunteers with experience in construction to help us build latrines at 3 remote villages in Haiti during our upcoming Winter 2011 Hope for Haiti Mission Trip.  Our goal is to Haiti transition from Relief to Self-reliance.


DATES:

January 14-22, 2011

COST:

$1200-1500. Covers travel expenses, and ground cost (in-country room/board, ground transportation, mission essentials, and interpreters). We offer great support to help you raise all the money you need for the trip. 

REQUIREMENTS:
A valid passport is required for travel outside the United States. All volunteers must have Typhoid and Hepatitis A and B vaccinations as well as Malaria prophylaxis (typically Chloroquine). For more information Check the CDC website.

LOGISTICS:
Flight Reservation will be made by the Clinicians of the World office. The sooner the reservation is made, the lower the airfare will be. Upon your arrival to Haiti, you will be well cared for by our partner organization field staff from the beginning to the end of your mission experience. All flights, ground transportation, and room/board in Haiti will be arranged and organized by Clinicians of the World staff. The team will stay at Haitian Christian Mission's guesthouse, in Fond Parisien, Haiti near the Dominican Republic border with Haiti.

HOW CAN YOU VOLUNTEER FOR THIS MISSION TRIP?
Our Mission Teams are typically limited to 20 volunteers.  If you are interested in being a team member on our Winter 2011 Hope for Haiti Medical Mission Trip, please visit our website and complete and return the mission team volunteer application today.
Our Sponsors and Supporters: Thank you!
We are infinitely grateful to our sponsors and supporters for making our mission to lend a helping hand to the less fortunate a reality.  Thank you for helping us touch lives of people in need. We certainly could not have done it without your help.

Special thanks to:

Rochester Medical Mission 
Holy Spirit Catholic Church
- Rochester, MN  
Rochester Assembly of God Church- Rochester, MN
Hyvee Family Pharmacy- Winona, MN
Hesper Friends Church 
Northern Valley Animal Clinic
Canadian Honker- Rochester, MN
Two Bocks 
Contact Us

Clinicians of the World
P.O Box 116
Rochester, MN 55902
612-353-8632
Pursuing a healthier world
 
'When people partner together, miracles happen...to them and to those they touch.'  Joel Osteen

Partner with us in our Life-saving work.  Help us stop the suffering.  
 
Make a donation today! Together we can make a difference!
Clinicians of the World | PO Box 116 | Rochester, MN 55903 | 1-507-208-4202