Haiti Relief Effort
News from our employees in Haiti
On Saturday, February 6, UVA Health System employees, Audrey Snyder, RN, PhD and Scott Syverud, MD flew out of Miami to Jacmel, Haiti to aid in the earthquake relief effort. Working with LCMS World Relief & Human Care based out of St. Louis, Missouri, they are working in an open-air clinic established by the organization. Below are updates from Audrey and Scott.
Saturday, February, 6, 2010
This trip happened fast. The call came from Bill Maloney and Becca Dillingham late Wednesday that a doctor and nurse were needed in Jacmel, Haiti. A scramble occurred on Thursday to find coverage for myself and Scott. Thanks to all the people who covered for us! We decided to drive to Miami Friday morning and were able to beat the snowstorm. We made it to Vero Beach at 10:30 p.m. last night after driving most of the day in the rain. This morning we are in search of a Wal-Mart to obtain medicine that the clinic is out of. We are meeting with the rest of the team for our flight to the Dominican Republic at the Miami airport this afternoon.
Second Update -
We spent most of the day running around Vero Beach getting meds the clinic needs and we managed to get everything on the list - azithromycin, permethrin, diltiazem, and others at cost with no advance notice. A special thanks to pharmacists, Catherine Reiley at Wal-Mart and Gregory DeCrescenzo at Perkins Indian River Pharmacy for helping us get the meds together at cost.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Today was the first day we saw patients. The four providers at the clinic treated over 120 patients - needless to say, it was a trying day. Our first two patients were a two-week old and nine-month old who were both on the verge of death due to severe dehydration. Fortunately, we were able to get lines in both of them and they are doing dramatically better. We saw many patients with malaria, HIV, and severe dehydration. Many of the children have scabies. Despite their dire situation, the people of Haiti are extremely kind and appreciative.
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