Help Third World Countries

A Community Coming Together for Haiti

Thursday, March 11, 2010 by Walking Free

This is a great story of a community coming together for an event.

Crutches and Canes for Haiti a great Success!

by Shawn Carolan-Abell

Thanks to this wonderful community and to everyone who participated, the drive last month to collect Crutches for Haiti was a great success! The total amount collected was 134 pairs of crutches, 61 canes, 3 quad canes, 2 forearm crutches, 3 black boots for foot injury, 3 walking sticks and two prosthetic legs! All donations were sent to Physicians for Peace warehouse in Virginia, and then on to Haiti.

Physicians for Peace designed the Walking Free Program to assist amputees by establishing sustainable prosthetic and rehabilitation centers, not only in Haiti but in developing nations worldwide. They are the only prosthetic and orthotic clinic fully up and running in Haiti since the earthquake. The new location is at the Albert Schweitzer Hospital.

It just amazes me how well this drive went, in that everything that needed to happen just fell into place, thanks to so many kind and caring people who offered their help along the way.

Thank you so much to the following businesses and people:

I would not have gotten to square one without the outstanding generosity of our local United Parcel Service, especially Gerry Snider and Dave Ringstrom who arranged to ship the multitude of large boxes at no charge; Catch a Canoe for all of those perfect bike boxes and Jason Biggie for his compassion and energy posting flyers all over Mendocino and getting the word out in Comptche; Kat Biggie for improving on the flyers; Andy and Connie Taylor who traveled to Albion, Elk and Anderson Valley posting flyers; Beth Szychowski for posting flyers in FB; Tom and Penny Honer for providing Harvest Market as a collection point; Rossi’s for lending the great red collection cans; Pastor Greg at Grace Memorial for the first five pairs of crutches; to Hospice thrift store for donating four pairs; Ray Hino at MCDH for the box of new arm pads; Paul Hansen at KZYX, and KOZT for the radio spots; Cathleen Crosby for her energy, all her work and immediate response in coordinating the excellent drive in Gualala; Dwane Ray for picking up the crutches in Gualala, delivering them to my house, and getting the word out to Rotary Club and Fort Bragg; Cindy Lemas and to the Lions Club and Todd Gryzwana for purchase costs for tape, new arm pads and hand grips so every pair of crutches sent were in excellent condition; Mendocino Pharmacy whose help has been immense in obtaining new arm pads and hand grips; Village Toy store for the sticker books to attach to the pediatric crutches; Cheryl Bloom for taking great pictures.

Take a look at these beautiful crutches:

Why Many Amputees Have to Endure a Second Surgery

Wednesday, March 10, 2010 by Walking Free

Numerous amputation surgeries that were performed immediately after the earthquake in Haiti were done in tent hospitals under candlelight in order to save lives. It’s understandable that these amputations were not up to the medical standards of prosthetic fittings for later in time. To compound the problem, Haiti lost two well established amputee clinics from the earthquake, but Hanger Orthopedic Group and its partners, including Physicians for Peace, quickly established the Haitian Amputee Coalition Prosthetic and Rehabilitation Center to aid the amputee population. The clinic opened in late February and after its first full week of operation, had already fit 20 amputees with below the knee prostheses. Unfortunately, some of the emergency surgeries in the field require additional surgery before a prosthetic can be fit. While the medical staff are explaining to the amputee and their family members why they need additional surgery, more and more amputees are lining up with hope to be walking again.

In addition, the dire need for physical therapy for patients who received amputations has become more apparent. With no access to rehabilitation services, many of these people are already starting to experience tightness in their muscles that could lead to irreversible contractures, making joints unusable. Physicians for Peace Physical Therapy volunteers are beginning to address these medical cases and training the patients and their families on the importance of using the limb muscles to strengthen them for an eventual prosthetic. A new Physical Therapy mission will leave for Haiti in late March.

These amputees would have had very little or no chance of walking again without the work accomplished by the new Haitian Amputee Coalition. Their work has been possible as a result of your recent support.

Later this week, we will be sharing a patient story from Haiti…

Wearing Jeans for Haiti

Tuesday, February 23, 2010 by Walking Free

Goodman & Company's Norfolk office started a Physicians for Peace movement in response to the recent Haiti earthquake.

Last week, we received a phone call from Goodman & Company, the fourth largest certified public accounting firm in the Mid-Atlantic, with some news which they wanted to present to us in person.

As you can imagine, accounting firms run a pretty tight ship and that includes a very professional dress code. A select few days out of the year, Goodman & Company allows its employees to have a "dress down" jeans day in recognition of a community effort or cause. Employees who donate to the cause are allowed to wear jeans for the day. The idea to help the disabled in Haiti through a donation to Physicians for Peace was introduced by the Norfolk office and spread like wildfire to each of the company’s locations throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. The movement was so phenomenal, Goodman and Company offered to match dollar for dollar their employee contributions.

This past Friday, Thomas H. Wilson, CPA, Goodman & Company’s Managing Partner came to our office to present Physicians for Peace with a very large check (no kidding - see picture below) valued at $21,000. More than 200 individual donations were made, totaling over $10,000. Some Goodman & Company clients even who also participated in the fund drive. Watch our short video clip of the check presentation.

Again, another story of good people mobilizing to make real, positive impact. Thank you Goodman and Company!

(click to play)

Utilizing Social Work for Future Missions

Friday, February 19, 2010 by Ellen Libby

Not every mission is going to make the headlines in national news, but our trip to Ethiopia uncovered important information for future missions of any volunteer organization providing health services in Ethiopia.

Physicians for Peace (PFP) is working with Family Health International (FHI) to assess how to better utilize volunteers in community outreach training programs. A team of two medical volunteers, Peg Matsen, a Public Health nurse from Delaware and Evelyn Tomaszewski, with the National Association of Social Workers, left on Saturday for a fact finding mission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Their mission objective is to visit FHI programs and then identify needs that can be met through current Physicians for Peace programs - in particular, focusing on maternal and child health and an overall objective of incorporating volunteers.

Peg and Evelyn arrived in Addis Ababa and are texting us to say that all has gone off to a good start. Here is a synopsis of their recent report:

"The mission is significant to us both for our partnership with Family Health International as well for its incorporating social workers.

Returning to Ethiopia after 5 years, I see much improvement in society structure here. I know the "nurses" assigned to programs here are expected to handle everything. But I see with the Social Workers being graduated from the Addis Ababa University here that social work can now be more fully expanded, strengthen, and utilized.

We were met at the main office of HIV/AIDS Prevention Care & Support Organization (HAPSCO) by more than ten nurse supervisors and four Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) officers and the Home and Community Based Care (HCBC) program coordinator, Ato Tadios, and as a group, had a discussion about their work and what trainings in psycho-social issues they would find most helpful. They shared great ideas and issues most relevant to them at this time:

• conflict resolution

• communication skills

• counseling techniques

• depression and anxiety for those living w/ HIV / AIDS

• child counseling for those who have lost parents

• child development and stages thru age 18 yrs

• reducing burnout

• evaluating and measuring success

• concept of volunteerism

At the end of our session/discussion, a member spokesperson expressed their deep gratitude for all the help you have provided to them. It was the biggest heart felt "Thank You" I have heard in a long time. You [Physicians for Peace] are a great leader and your staff and beneficiaries feel your understanding of their work and greatly appreciate your technical support."

This social work initiative here in Ethiopia has great possibilities and the social work trainings proposed through FHI and PFP collaboration will make a difference in how these services can be provided. We will keep you posted on this fact finding mission.

Physicians for Peace Donates over $53,000 Towards Rebuilding Haiti

Friday, February 12, 2010 by Walking Free

Shortly after the earthquake ripped open the heart of Haiti, Physicians for Peace responded with a fundraising drive to support its two partners in Haiti, both of which were reduced to rubble. This week, Physicians of Peace sent checks of almost $27,000 each directly to Healing Hands for Haiti and St. Vincent's School for Handicapped. These funds represented the donations collected by Physicians for Peace in the direct aftermath of the earthquake and were intended for immediate relief operations in Haiti.

Prior to the devastating earthquake, there were an estimated 800,000 disabled people in Haiti. This population was disproportionately underserved and in many cases, shunned as outcasts. To meet the needs of Haiti’s disabled, Physicians for Peace, a Norfolk, VA-based nonprofit that provides medical training for health care providers in the developing world, began working in Haiti in 2005 as part of its Walking Free program—one of a very limited number of agencies with a sustainable track record in Haiti working with amputees.

Physicians for Peace has now strategically shifted its focus from the initial relief operations to the long term rebuilding effort in support of Haiti's disabled population. All cash and material donations will be used as part of Physicians for Peace’s Walking Free program in Haitito organize, train and supply prosthetic and orthotic production and training facilities.

Walking Free—An Initiative of Hope for Haiti’s Disabled

Amputee and celebrity Heather Mills publicly launched the campaign on Larry King Live. Physicians for Peace also enlisted the aid of Hanger Orthotics and Prosthetics, the nation’s largest manufacturer, to use its 670+ sites across the nation as collection points. Dozens of cities, agencies and companies are now sponsoring local drives and Physicians for Peace has become the “go to” agency to donate desperately needed mobility equipment. Our 10,000 sq. ft. warehouse is now overflowing, and we have partnered with Arpin Van Linesand Hampton Roads Moving and Storage for additional storage capacity. These items will be shipped via container to Haiti over the coming weeks.

Physicians for Peace has formed two coalitions to ensure that amputee victims of the earthquake will soon walk again and play an active role in Haiti’s recovery. The first alliance is the Hispaniola Prosthetics and Orthotics Education Coalition with Healing Hands for Haiti and the International Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics-US. Healing Hands for Haiti has been our long-term partner in the devastated capital city Port-au-Prince and is settin up temporary (and eventually, permanent) work space in the city and will soon be able to begin prosthetic production. There are vital equipment, medical supplies and professional medical volunteers we need to send. With your generous donations, we can mobilize these efforts quickly.

Second, recognizing that considerable activity is focused in the capital city, Physicians for Peace has joined Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc., Shepherd Spinal Center, and the Harold & Kayrita Anderson Family Foundation to launch the “Haitian Amputee Coalition” to support the central plateau region. This coalition is creating a long-term prosthetic production center at Hôpital Albert Schweitzer, an undamaged local hospital 60 miles from Port-au-Prince.

You can help Haiti’s disabled.

Your monetary donations will help restore the production, training and rehabilitation infrastructure for Haiti’s disabled and will give Physicians for Peace the leverage to adequately organize, train and supply our Walking Free program.

Thank you for all you have already done for the people in Haiti and for supporting our work.

Hope for Haiti’s Disabled

Wednesday, February 10, 2010 by Walking Free

I wanted to let you know what your Physicians for Peace has been doing since the earthquake that has so devastated Haiti.

When the earthquake struck, we acted quickly. Fully recognizing that we are not first responders, we began working with other agencies that were, including Partners In Health.

We also began a fund-raising appeal in direct support of rebuilding efforts for our two partners, St. Vincent’s School and Healing Hands, located in Port-au-Prince, and have already collected in excess of $50,000. Both agencies obviously suffered huge loss of property and lives.

But we also knew that once the relief and recovery efforts were nearing completion, our Walking Free program (established in Haiti by Physicians for Peace in 2005) would be well-positioned to help reconstruct, rebuild, and retrain. Haiti’s disabled population has obviously now grown exponentially and the needs are overwhelming. So in addition to the fund-raising appeal (which has now shifted from the immediate needs of St. Vincent’s School and Healing Hands to a more long-term rebuilding effort) we launched a campaign to collect not only desperately needed cash, but also launched a local campaign to collect prostheses, wheel chairs, crutches and other mobility devices we know will be essential to helping Haiti’s disabled.

The media and community responses were overwhelming. The local CBS affiliate held a “telethon” on our behalf and in collaboration with Old Dominion University College of Health Sciences, we held our first collection drive. Above to the left, you can see the work being done by PFP staff, volunteers and ODU students. The response was staggering, nearly 300 cars, trucks and vans dropped off much needed equipment.

One of our long term Walking Free partners has been Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics, the nation’s leading provider. For the past ten years, we have been working with this nationwide company. Hanger and its foundation generously donated $12,500 in cash and nearly $200,000 in equipment. They are also collecting donated prostheses at more than 670 Hanger facilities throughout the U.S. (If you or you know someone who would like to donate, for a Hanger location near you).

International star and charity activist Heather Mills has now partnered with us. An amputee herself, she is using her star power to help us raise awareness for our limb drives across the U.S. She appeared on Larry King Live and really helped us start a nationwide movement to collect prostheses.

America has really stepped up to our challenge to collect mobility devices for Haiti’s disabled. Above to the right is a picture of our 10,000 square foot warehouse—literally overflowing.

In the coming weeks, we will pull together the team of medical specialists to take their teaching and clinical skills to Haiti to help rebuild the lives. The need is obvious and our long-term commitment is unwavering. We appreciate the continued support we are getting and are thankful to the many volunteers and donors who have been so helpful during this time of crisis for our friends in Haiti.

Sincerely,

Brigadier General Ron Sconyers (USAF, Ret.), President and CEO

TowneBank Offers Employee Matching Gift in Support of Physicians for Peace

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 by Ellen Libby

Physicians for Peace is pleased to announce the recent employee matching gift offered by TowneBank. The Chairman and CEO, G. Robert Aston, Jr., stated in his company announcement, "You don’t have to look far to see the devastation in Haiti. We have all watched the events unfold in the media and asked ourselves, “What can we do to help?” Many are quick to recall events like Hurricane Katrina, or even closer to home, Hurricane Isabel. It is heartbreaking to see the destruction and need at the center of the chaos."

The TowneBank Foundation will match employee gifts in support of Physicians for Peace, up to $7,500. TowneBank will be accepting employee and director donations through February 19, 2010 at which time they will match the donation and give the money to Physicians for Peace to continue their efforts in Haiti.

Thank you TowneBank and employees for showing extraordinary compassion when disaster strikes. Your contributions will support our Walking Free program in Haiti, and provide amputee victims of the earthquake the chance to take an active role in building Haiti’s future.

Cardi's Furniture Store & Arpin Van Lines Join Physicians for Peace to Support Haiti Relief

Monday, February 8, 2010 by Ellen Libby

Our Haiti effort continues at a fairly frenetic pace—particularly as we continue to receive Gifts in Kind donations from around the nation. We have collected 1250+ sets of crutches, 175+ wheelchairs, 500+ walkers and a warehouse full of materials high on the priority list for Haiti’s disabled. In fact, we have reached the capacity of our 10,000 square foot warehouse. But a solution is hand.

Adding to our growing partnerships, Arpin Van Lines, a Rhode Island-based, family owned industry leader and the nation’s fifth largest moving company, has now partnered with PFP and is providing additional warehouse space for us—at no charge—in their Chesapeake, VA warehouse. Additionally, they are providing us all the necessary shipping materials, to include specially designed boxes and the appropriate packing material, to help us ship items like wheelchairs, which are more difficult to pack for transport.

They’ve also joined with a regional furniture store, Cardi’s, also a family owned company in Rhode Island to collect and transport more materials on our behalf.

Watch their 2 minute TV spot at: Cardi's Furniture Store & Arpin Van Lines Join Physicians for Peace to Support Haiti Relief

The catastrophe in Haiti continues to unravel. Our ongoing efforts will help rebuild their lives. Find out how you can help.

Thursday, February 4, 2010 by Ellen Libby

This is just one of thousands of stories portraying the devastation in Haiti. Yes, the support has been overwhelming but we must continue to help bring light and hope to those who are in need of medical aide.

A volunteer surgeon shares his experiences in Haiti and the ultimate shock of discovering there is no water, no basic technology, or equipment in the hospitals. Read this excerpt of his story about doctors building their makeshift operating rooms with no electricity, limited surgical equipment, and they still managed to save lives.

Original Message from:

Dean G. Lorich, M.D.

Associate Director

Orthopaedic Trauma Service

Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:11:38

Subject: Haiti

"I believe we went in with a reasonable comprehensive service plan. We wanted to provide acute trauma care in an orthopedic disaster. Our plan was to be at a hospital where we could utilize our abilities as trauma surgeons to treat the acute injuries involved in an orthopedic disaster. We expected many amputations, however, we came prepared with a philosophy that we would reasonably start limb salvage in what we thought was a salvageable limb.

Our equipment including a huge amount of anesthetic medications and equipment, operating room equipment including scalpels etc, OR soft goods, splint material, and prep material.

We also had a plan of physician and equipment replacement that was dynamic where within 24hrs we could bring in what was necessary on a private jet.

We thought the plan was a good one. We were incredibly naïve.

Disaster management on the ground was nonexistent. We started out Friday morning, got a slot to get in Friday evening that was eventually cancelled when we were on the runway to be rescheduled the next day. We diverted to the Dominican Republic and planned on arriving in Port-au-Prince Saturday.

The General Hospital was severely damaged in the earthquake and was not capable of running a functioning OR as there was no running water and only a limited electrical supply on generator.

We quickly took our second option - Community Hospital of Haiti. We found approximately 750 patients in the hospital. Upon our initial evaluation, the hospital had running water, electricity and two functional OR's. We did not expect that two anesthetic machines would not work, there would be only one cautery for the hospital, no sterile saline, and no local staff - only a ragtag group of voluntary health providers who like us had made it there on there own.

We also previously had seen daylight in the remaining patients Monday night after having completed approximately 100 surgeries. However on Tuesday morning we found another crowd of new patients. The hospital was forced to undergo lockdown, closing its gates to prevent entry of additional patients.

We also noted Tuesday morning that many of the patients we were operating on were becoming septic. We finished operating that afternoon with the last surgery assisting an obstetrician on a caesarian and resuscitating a baby that was not breathing.

To summarize it all - we had no clue the medical infrastructure of the country was so poor."

Physicians for Peace is sending medical volunteers in partnership with Operation Smile, Inc. in response to the critical need for medical and surgical care for victims in Haiti. You can help by giving a person the ability to walk again with a prosthetic limb donation or provide support to our relief efforts and medical training missions in Haiti by donating online. To find out the many ways you can contribute to our medical volunteer work, please visit us on the web at Physicians for Peace.

Collection Drive for the Disabled a Great Success!

Monday, January 25, 2010 by Ellen Libby

Yesterday’s event exceeded everyone’s expectation. We estimate more than 250 cars dropped off donations at our Old Dominion University site. From yesterday’s 3 hour drive, we collected enough materials to fill one 40 foot container… which, when eventually sent, will change the lives of hundreds of disabled Haitians.

Every donor had a story.

· “My grandmother recently died and we had her wheelchair. We’ve written a note on the back of the wheelchair sending our love to the people of Haiti.”

· “I represent the largest maritime law firm in Hampton Roads. We sent out an email to all our attorneys and are donating these dozens of walkers and crutches.”

· “I wanted to do something for the people of Haiti and went around to every thrift store in the area and bought all of their crutches to donate.”

· “I work for the school system and we had these sitting in a storage area. I hope these crutches will help someone in Haiti.”

· Sobbing: “My wife died last month. This donation will help me to know that she was really able to help those in Haiti.”

These are but a few of the hundreds of stories we heard yesterday. My thanks to staffers Mary Kwasniewski, Monika Bridgforth and Ken Hudson and long time PFP volunteer and ODU professor Gail Grisetti for organizing this event in just a few short days. Thanks also to MOC member Dr. Raouf Gharbo and ODU MOC student rep Patricia Birungi who were there from beginning to end helping to unload the donations. And a special thanks to the students and faculty of Old Dominion University’s School of Physical Therapy who did the yeoman’s work managing the hundreds of pieces of equipment we collected.

All the local media covered the event. We are particularly indebted to CBS’s WTKR Channel 3 here in Norfolk and to NBC 4 in Washington DC for their extensive pre-coverage of the drive. (See the Pilot’s article at: http://hamptonroads.com/2010/01/medicalsupply-drive-nets-huge-ourpouring-haiti.) We expect further coverage on Larry King tomorrow night.

This is only the beginning. Couple this, and future collections with Hanger’s generous donation of $125,000 in cash and equipment, and our Walking Free program is poised to have a significant impact on the reconstruction phase of Haiti’s people.

Best,

Ron

Brigadier General Ron Sconyers (USAF, Ret.)
President and CEO, Physicians for Peace

Collection Drive for Haiti's Injured and Disabled

Monday, January 18, 2010 by Walking Free

Physicians for Peace, which has been providing amputee rehabilitation services in Haiti since 2005, is sponsoring a drive to collect prosthetics, wheelchairs, walkers, canes and crutches for victims of the Haiti earthquake.

Saturday, January 23, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Old Dominion University - Webb Center

49th Street, Norfolk, VA

ODU students and Physicians for Peace (PFP) volunteers will be collecting the donations, refurbishing as necessary and then sending to Physicians for Peaces’s rehabilitation centers in Port-au-Prince.

“We will be sending this equipment by container to be used when the critical relief activities are near completion,” said Mary Kwasniewski, Physicians for Peace’s Senior Director for Global Health. “Then, we’ll work directly with our two primary partners there, Healing Hands for Haiti and St. Vincent’s Orphanage, who we know will be seeing an increase in amputee victims resulting from this tragedy.”

During the drive, cash donations will be accepted, however, donations of other equipment, clothing, etc, cannot be accepted.

This drive is part of PFP’s “Walking Free” program, recognized around the world for providing prosthetics and other devices as well as training to prosthetists and physical therapists to help amputees live fully productive lives.

The Mix of Hope and Tragedy in Haiti

Monday, January 18, 2010 by Ellen Libby

Dr. Lisbet Hanson is a friend of Physicians for Peace and a Virginia-based Ob/Gyn who has done much work with partners in Haiti to improve women's health. She was in Haiti when the quake struck and has been sending us her updates since last week. The above slideshow displays photos she was able to send from her phone. Below is her latest report. (Warning: graphic content.)

Thank you for all the help from Physicians for Peace. Dr. Ramon Lopez has been so generous with his time, meeting us at the border, driving us to Santo Domingo, showing us his beautiful city and helping us decompress. Interestingly, we saw only one large fuel truck crossing from the Dominican Rebublic to Haiti in Eleas Pina. I had expected to see many convoys on the way. On the road in the DR we saw one convoy of about 7 cars and trucks clearly headed to the border and last night a group of about 50-60 people that appeared to be a large medical group from Europe and the Caribbean, preparing to head to Haiti. A physician from the DR living here in Santo Domingo with ties to Hampton Roads contacted me to tell me she was collecting supplies to take to the border hospitals as they had begun accepting patients from Haiti. Another physician in Hampton Roads said she was collecting supplies to send to the doctor in the DR.

I can confirm that several open fractures were transferred to the DR early Friday morning from Cange, including a 7 year old boy with an open compound fracture of his right lower leg and a large gaping wound of the calf. I had helped remove his cast on Thursday night that had been placed in Port-au-Prince the day after the earthquake and was struck by the horrible smell of the wound. I don't think they can save his leg but hopefully his life. I cannot imagine how painful the ride to the border was for him on those deeply rutted roads from Lascahobas to Elias Pina. I had trouble even though our driver, Domek, was experienced and careful. It will take some time to digest all that has happened. I am concerned that there will be a lot of "stupid deaths" to quote Paul Farmer. I am especially concerned about a little boy brought in by his father missing a large portion of his scalp down to the bone on the back of his head and a large gash on his forehead that I cleaned up and stitched. He would only eat a few M&M's that Mike Kammermier gave him. We took turns sitting and rocking him when there was a lull in patients arriving. His father left to return to Port-au-Prince to collect his mom and bring her to Cange. The rest of the family were all dead.

Again, thank you for your help.

Lisbet

If you would like to contribute to ongoing efforts to address the urgent need in Haiti, you can make your donation here.

Reports From Our Partners in Haiti

Thursday, January 14, 2010 by Ellen Libby

News continues to come in from our partners in Haiti about the incredible devastation and the challenges of treating those in need. Dr. Lisbet Hanson, an Ob/Gyn who has done extensive work in Haiti to help expectant mothers, sends these reports from her Blackberry:

"Internet out today. Too busy anyway. Going to lie down for a while, then head back to help. Delivered twins, have set bones, helped with amputations, sutured, started IVs, washed wounds, done emergency ultrasounds... So much trauma, not enough of us to go around. Mirabelais standing room only. Patients are leaving Port-au-Prince any way they can. We are triaging patients in ED and church here in Cange. Stepping over people in shock with arms dangling, bones exposed.. It's unbelievable..."

"Unbelievable day and its just getting started as people find their way out of Port-au-Prince to other hospitals. So many traumatic amputations, open fractures, puncture wounds and crush injuries.... We need orthopods and anesthesia people, lots of them. And more mattresses as wards full and churches filling. Will try to send photos when I can. If Partners In Health team can get here to replace us we are thinking of heading to DR end of the week. Will stay in touch. Thanks for support."

_______________________

This report is also in from Eric Doubt, Executive Director of Healing Hands for Haiti International, one of our Walking Free Program partners in Haiti:

To all, Lisa and I finally heard from our operations manager, Antonio. First of all, thank goodness, Antonio and his whole family are all fine. His home, car, property, all okay. He has a generator power, water, internet and VOIP telephone communications. Antonio has personally seen the following staff members who are okay: Siltane (who is living at the guest house), Noel, Joel, Jean, Soeurette, Caseus and the security guards. All of these people are unharmed. Noel unfortunately has not yet found his young daughter. Jean’s wife is injured. Antonio confirmed that Dr. Lalane and family are okay. His is the only home standing in his neighbourhood. We have no news from any others yet.

I’m sorry to report the following news: in terms of our property, the main apartment building facing the guest house is completely destroyed. Antonio does not yet know the fate of two survivors still buried alive under the rubble. As far as he knows, the other apartment dwellers got out. Our clinic and administration building are damaged with cracks and the two staircases leading to them are impassable. The clinic entrance to the physiotherapy area has collapsed. Security are ensuring nobody goes near or enters. The small private house past the pool across from the administration steps has been destroyed. The guest house is intact, but Antonio stresses it needs to be assessed. Siltane is safe in her apartment which has a locked door. There is generator electricity. Not sure about water yet.

Antonio reported that, on his walk from Petionville to our headquarters, it was as if the entire city was out in the streets. When I asked about the mood, he said very quiet because they are counting their dead. Three of the Unibanks he knows of collapsed with people inside. There is no banking, no gas available and the airport is closed except for emergency missions right now. We have asked Antonio when he returns tomorrow to take detailed photographs, to locate and report on other staff, to further assess the guest house, to secure the compound, to locate the water purification system in the guest house and make it operational for our use and the public’s if necessary. He is going to be calling Lisa and I twice a day as communications are possible to report and to take our questions. Antonio and his home are going to be the communications centre for HHHI in Haiti for the time being.

We told Antonio to communicate to his family, our staff and all our associates that we are setting up an emergency relief fund for staff and families and that we are planning for deploying an emergency response and reconnaissance mission as soon as it is humanly possible. We assured him of the massive worldwide support that we are witnessing in the media. We told him to be safe and take no chances and thanked him on everyone’s behalf for his calmness and compassion. This news came in after our emergency board meeting tonight. We are holding a second such meeting tomorrow, Thursday night and will provide you more details as we receive them on a regular basis. You may, of course, have received some of this information already. Feel free to pass any of it on to others.

On a positive note, donations via the web site and in person are substantial and rising and we are flooded with material and volunteer offers which we are coordinating. The best advice we have is to tell everyone the most important thing we need is money and to go to the web site. Regarding material donations, people can be thanked and asked to hold onto them until we can get back and coordinate. Major donations can be referred to Physicians for Peace. We advise volunteers to fill out the form on the web site stating their specialties, as we will be requiring numerous teams to be deployed throughout the year. We’re also categorizing specialties and providing contact information to the Canadian and U.S. Red Cross and MSF."

Physicians for Peace is currently collecting donations to help with the relief efforts of our partners in Haiti. 100% of these funds will go directly to help Haitians in crisis -

Click here to make your contribution to Haiti relief efforts.

Physicians for Peace Helps in Haiti Earthquake Relief Efforts

Wednesday, January 13, 2010 by Ellen Libby

Dr. Lisbet Hanson, an Ob/Gyn who is in Haiti working with Partners In Health, sent this update to Physicians for Peace last night to report on conditions on the ground:

"Many many thanks for your help. we are fine, trying to work with PIH to help in any way we can. Cange seems fairly calm and no major destruction here, though a lot of panic initially. Patients may be mobilized to Cange and Hinche: There is only one general surgeon and the Haitian ob/gyns are anxious to leave to check on their families in Port au Prince as they have had no contact. Sometime today I will have a better idea of what is happening. Thanks for your prayers and all that you do. I hear the devastation in Port au Prince is huge.

Very bizarre, surreal experience sitting here in the Friendship House listening to the ZL (Zanmi Lasante, Partners in Health, Haiti) staff roll out their plan and hear as news trickles in about the airport tower collapse, the palace destruction, the UN destruction with many unaccounted for, the prison collapse, etc. Have heard that Loune and Louise in Port au Prince are OK. Everyone is very emotional, there is a lot of passion. 23 people from ZL including Paul and Ophelia are having a skype conference trying to figure out how to get in through the Dominican Republic and bring helicopters into Port au Prince to begin triaging patients, then airlifting them to Cange or Hinche where teams of surgeons will be wlling to care for them. Cange is worried that they don't have enough fuel for the generator. The dam is down, there is no power so everything is running off the generator. The water purification system requires electricity to work. And there is only so much fuel. I have offered to scrub, hold retractors, donate blood, help in post op. I think in a few days there will be many people here as volunteers stream in but in the first few days perhaps I can help and not just be in the way. Thinking of you all."

Physicians for Peace has set up a special relief fund for the victims of yesterday’s earthquake in Haiti:

Click here to make your contribution.

Physicians for Peace has been providing medical education and training in Haiti for several years, particularly in rehabilitation for trauma victims through its internationally recognized Walking Free program.

Through Physicians for Peace’s partner network of Healing Hands for Haiti and St. Vincent’s School for Handicapped Children (and others), both in the capital city of Port au Prince, donations will go directly to provide immediate trauma relief as well as longer term assistance for amputees.

Healing Hands for Haiti has been providing Orthotic and Prosthetic services to the people of Haiti since 1998 using both US and Haiti specialists. St. Vincents School for Handicapped Children is a multi-service facility that provides preschool through high school education, vocational training, physical therapy and medical care. The medical clinic, which includes a small surgical suite, sees over 1000 patients a month for primary care, developmental evaluation and 20-30 corrective surgical procedures.

“Obviously, such a devastating force of nature has caused incalculable loss of life as well as countless traumatic injuries, particularly amputations,” said Physicians for Peace President and CEO, Brig Gen Ron Sconyers (USAF, Ret.). “Because of our experience in working with amputees around the world, and particularly in Haiti, and our close alliances there with highly capable medical partners on the ground, we are in a position to give some immediate medical help.”

Stories of Hope in 2009

Tuesday, December 15, 2009 by Ellen Libby

A young girl in Nigeria awaits care from medical volunteers. Physicians for Peace
creates stories of hope and healing each day all over the world.

Recently, we shared the story on our blog of Marya m, a woman whose life was saved by having access to proper medical care while delivering her baby boy. Life-changing stories like Maryam’s have been documented all year by Physicians for Peace medical volunteers around the world . . .

Like that of 79-year-old Don Filepe from Honduras who was missing half of his nose from facial cancer surgery and received the much-needed reconstructive surgery from Physicians for Peace.

Like that of Tarek, a 14 year old from the West Ban k who was injured by a grenade on his way to school. He received a revision and skin graft surgery from Physicians for Peace, allowing him full use of his hand again.

Like that of Kissairis from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Drawing on her experience as a once scared and pregnant teen, the now young adult mom is a “Resource Mother” in the Physicians for Peace Resource Mothers Program, mentoring young pregnant women on the importance of pre- and post-natal care, as well as the first year of childhood. She plans to go to medical school to become a physician because of her training with Physicians for Peace.

There are so many Physicians for Peace stories like these. Many that we don’t even hear. As you know, Physicians for Peace not only provides primary and specialty patient care, but promotes sustainable health programs in our partner countries though medical education and training, as well as the medicines and equipment we leave behind.

This means that many of these life-changing stories will continue to happen, even after we’ve gone.

The global health crisis can only be solved if we create self-sustaining medical programs in the regions of the world that need it most.

By the end of this year, Physicians for Peace will have completed nearly 50 missions in 20 countries, changing countless thousands of lives along the way. You can help send the next Physicians for Peace medical mission team to a developing nation that desperately needs training and supplies to create a sustainable healthcare system.

We ask you to help us create the next story.

Your donation can save a life like that of Maryam’s, or inspire a life like that of Kissairis, or heal a wound like that of Don Filepe’s.

As 2009 comes to a close and you look to make your year-end charitable gifts, please consider Physicians for Peace. Your donation will create a story that will change someone’s life forever. Please take a moment to fill out the form and send your tax-deductible gift in by December 31. With your help, we can combat the global health crisis, one mission at a time.

To support our medical mission trips and international health education programs, make your donation here.

From all of us at Physicians for Peace, we thank you for your support during 2009, our 20th Anniversary year. Mostly, we wish you and your family a joyous holiday season!

And Our December Hero Is... All of Our Volunteers!

Thursday, December 10, 2009 by 20Years of Heroes

Physicians for Peace volunteers, Dr. Keith Goss and Dr. Justin Faul, on a surgery
mission in Eritrea in October. Without volunteers like these, Physicians for Peace
would not be able to carry out its mission of building peace and international friendships.

Every month during this 20th Anniversary year, Physicians for Peace has honored special individuals who have given their time and talent to help treat those with little or no access to medical care and provide specialized training to countless medical professionals. This month, as the year comes to an end, and we reflect on the work we have done, it becomes clear that our "20 Years of Heroes" campaign would not be complete without honoring every single person who has contributed to Physicians for Peace as a volunteer.

At Physicians for Peace, all of our work in the field, touching people's lives and improving their chances for a better future, is done by volunteers. Every day, in faraway corners of the world, they continue to follow the example set by our founder, Dr. Charles Horton, of compassion and self-sacrifice. We could not accomplish our mission without them.

This year, 202 volunteers went on 49 missions in 20 countries, helping thousands of people in need. Our volunteers are truly heroes!

On behalf of the Physicians for Peace staff, THANK YOU for a great year, and have a healthy and happy Holiday Season!

Eritrea's Orotta Medical School Graduates its First Class

Thursday, December 10, 2009 by Ellen Libby

For the past few years, Physicians for Peace has been working in partnership with the government of Eritrea and The George Washington University Medical Center to bring post-graduate medical education to Asmara. Last week, a dream was realized for The Partnership for Eritrea, as the Orotta Medical School graduated its first class of doctors and pediatricians, a priceless contribution to the health care system of a country affected by years of conflict.
President and CEO of Physicians for Peace, Brig. Gen. Ron Sconyers (USAF, Ret.) attended the graduation, which marked an important milestone for medical education in Africa. He shares his thoughts on this experience:

I have just returned from Eritrea…after a most stirring and historical experience.

When Dr. Horton conceived Physicians for Peace, it was his vision to build international peace and lasting friendships by bringing America’s best medical talent together with the medical talent of the world’s underserved to not only heal and teach, but through “people to people” outreach, create unwavering friendships, regardless of politics, geography, religion, or other artificial boundaries. What transpired this past weekend sets the standard for Dr. Horton’s vision of medical diplomacy.

Picture this: the dais at the graduation ceremony of the first class of Eritrea’s new medical school. Eight dignitaries prepare to convey degrees on 31 medical doctors and 8 pediatricians. Four of those about to honor these students are directly affiliated with Physicians for Peace; three are from Eritrea, a country with “not so good” relationships with America (but life long friends of PFP); and one from Cuba (and new PFP friend), who in fact is the Dean of Eritrea’s Orotta School of Medicine…another country with severely strained relationships with its neighbor to the North. But here they stood, as friends and colleagues, in the name of medicine. No politics, no animosity. Just a common cause of bringing the best medicine to a nation’s people.

In 2001, PFP, under the leadership of Dr. Haile Mezghebe, of Howard University (and personally recruited by Dr. Horton) began a series of medical missions to Eritrea that opened doors and hearts to the way of PFP. And then in 2005, PFP joined forces with The George Washington University Medical Center to establish the Partnership for Eritrea, bringing the first post graduate medical education to this nation…in the face of severe challenges and uncertainty.

Today, 31 new Eritrean doctors and 8 new Eritrean pediatricians begin their lives anew, fulfilling their aspirations to serve others. And Physicians for Peace yet again demonstrates that if you heal a man, you heal only one, but if you teach a man to heal, you heal many. Today, thousands will be healed in Eritrea.

We can take great pride in our work there! While it remains unfinished, this is a milestone of watershed proportions.

As I gather more of my thoughts, more will follow. But just know that what has been accomplished in Eritrea is game-changing.

Congratulations to all!!!

Ron

Find out more about The Partnership for Eritrea at www.partnershipforeritrea.org

Watch local television coverage of the event:

You can help us improve health care in developing countries through international health education by supporting our training programs and medical mission trips in Africa.

Make a donation today!

Burn Care Training in the Dominican Republic

Thursday, December 3, 2009 by Burn Care

Last month, a team of Physicians for Peace volunteers traveled to Santiago, Dominican Republic to provide burn care training at the local hospital. The ABIQ training program (Atención Básica Inicial del Quemado,) is similar to the US Advanced Burn Life Support (ABLS) training but adapted for latin America. The Advanced Burn Life Support (ABLS) courses provide guidelines in assessment and management of burn patients from the scene of the burn injury through the first 24 hours post-injury. The courses are open to MDs, RNs, LPNs, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, therapists, paramedics, fire service, and other emergency care personnel.

Dr. Ramon Lopez, Director of Physicians for Peace for the Americas, tells about the success of this training mission:

"On Thursday morning we got into the Burn Unit Dr. Thelma Rosario of the Hospital Regional Universitario Dr. Arturo Grullón. Dr. Ariel Miranda Altamirano and I were received by the Director, Dr. Renata Quintana, and had a tour through the unit. Dr. Miranda was very pleased to see how the Unit is set up. After the visit to the unit, we had a lunch meeting to discuss all the expectations for the ABIQ training and all the details. >At 3:25 p.m. Lic. Alba Rony landed in Santiago. At night we had a welcome dinner with the President of the Voluntariado Jesus con los Niños, Vilena Comas de Stern and her team. On Friday we started the ABIQ training at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra with the presence of Dr. Rosa Morel, the Director of the children's hospital, plus a significant participation of the staff of the Burn Unit which included more than 70 participants.

The ABIQ training, according to the evaluation of the participants, was very successful and filled all the expectations. Dr. Quintana and her team want the ABIQ training twice a year and asked to DR. Miranda and I to come on February for other training. The participation of Haitians students was significant and Dr. Miranda is willing to go to Haiti to offer the ABIQ. At the end of the ABIQ, 69 doctors, residents, last year students, and nurses took the exam and were certified with the ABIQ.

During our visit to the Hospital Regional Universitario yesterday, we were welcomed by Dr. Rosa Maria Morel, who is the General Director. She was so excited about the outcome of the ABIQ and also wants us to continue the Physicians for Peace Seeing Clearly mission. In addition, they need urgently some missions for PALS and NALS for both the Hospital and the Burn Unit.

As you know, Dr. Ariel Miranda and I we were the instructors of the ABIQ and Lic. Alba Rony presented the conference of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children with Burns and their family."

Burn care training is an important part of Physicians for Peace efforts to improve patient care in under-served regions through international health education. 95% of deaths from burns worldwide occur in lower or middle income countries. You can help support our volunteer medical missions in burn care training and prevention education. Click here to make your donation.

Physicians for Peace Honors Gail Kelly

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 by Ellen Libby

We recently received the news that Gail Kelly, long time friend and supporter of Physicians for Peace, passed away peacefully over the weekend at her home in Alabama. Gail served as Director of Medical Programs at Physicians for Peace from 1989 to 2005 and then moved on to join the Peace Corps. During her time at Physicians for Peace, she worked hard to build the organization and was well-known and respected by volunteers and staff alike. She was a friend to everyone she came in contact with and loved helping others through Physicians for Peace. She will be greatly missed.

To make a gift to Physicians for Peace in memory of Gail Kelly, you can donate online or send your gift by mail to:

Physicians for Peace
Gail Kelly Memorial Fund
229 W. Bute Street
Norfolk, VA 23451

Mali Mission Update

Monday, November 16, 2009 by Maternal and Child Health

Women helping women: Physicians for Peace volunteers with patients at Segou Hospital.

Laura Gwathmey and Laura Fine-Morrison are traveling with our VVF surgery team on the ground now in Segou, Mali. Here is their latest report, which shares their observations of both the patients and the staff they have encountered at Segou Hospital:

Our work here in Mali makes us realize how lucky we are to live in a country that allows women equal status. Here, women have little control over their lives. Most of the patients we've encountered have scarring from female genital mutilation. One member of our team, the only female doctor on staff at the hospital, told us the story of her own experience with FGM. As a child, she was subjected to the practice, and decided very quickly that she would not want her own child to suffer as she did. Unfortunately, the Malian custom is that the husband's family gets to decide the fate of a female child, not the parents. Despite our team member's best efforts, her husband's mother decided that the practice would be contined with her grandchild, our teammate's daughter, at the age of 2. In reality, our teammate told us, she could accept it only knowing that uncircumcised girls, as they are known in Mali, never get the opportunity to marry or have a family. The choice is stark: genital mutiliation or a solitary life.

We're here hoping to change that through our actions. Many of the patients we've seen require hysterectomies because of their extensive and prolongued conditions. Those for whom we recommended treatment all told us that they must ask their husbands before they can consent, and their husbands must sign the consent form, not the women themselves. As I write, one man is traveling to Segou to give consent for his brother's wife to receive a hysterectomy. As you can imagine, many husbands do not give consent, and their wives must live with an incomplete solution to their conditions. Through the actions of our all-women surgical team, working with local Malians, we hope to show that women can still be desirable and feminine while actively serving as role models.

- Laura Gwathmey

My experience of the hospital staff is that they care very much about their patients. The nurses and doctors joke around with them when appropriate, to put them at ease. A nurse or anesthesiologist will talk gently with a patient, and may touch her on the shoulder or arm if they see that she is nervous during surgery (in most cases the patients are not under general anesthesia.) And they work hard to educate patients about their treatment options as well as how to care for themselves post-operatively.

How hard it must be for the staff, then, to have to work under conditions that often don’t allow them to provide their patients with very good care. The patients come in malnourished and often lack funds for food and medications post-operatively, including pain meds and antibiotics. The staff are tired, as they get very little time off (doctors, for example, work 7 days a week; nurses work 5 days per week but are on call every 3rd night, which they must spend at the hospital). And the staff are well aware that what is available medically in other parts of the world is far greater than what doctors can offer here.

One doctor came over to me in the hospital break room while I was writing. He sat down next to me and asked what I was writing. When I told him, he said that what I wrote was very true.

And he said things are going to get better. How did he know, I asked him. His response was that one has to be optimistic in life. Things will get better, he repeated, before walking out to attend to his next patient.

- Laura Fine-Morrison
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In May 2009, Physicians for Peace sent a team to Segou, Mali (Read about the first mission to Mali.) to help with efforts to address the widespread problem of VVF. (Read more about VVF and our surgery program.) Last week, Physicians for Peace volunteers returned to Segou to help more women get the surgery they need to heal this devastating condition.

You can help mothers in poverty by supporting our volunteer medical missions in Africa. Donate now or visit www.physiciansforpeace.org to find out how to make a medical donation to our gifts in kind program.