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Summer 2003

MEDICAL MISSIONARIES NEWSLETTER
Issue No. 7 Summer 2003
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2003 Brent Society Distinguished Service Award
Presented to
Dr. Gilbert R. Irwin

Dr. Gilbert R. Irwin, founder of the Medical Missionaries, Inc., was awarded the Distinguished Service Award at a dinner on Friday, May 16, 2003, at the Fairview Park Marriott Hotel in Northern Virginia. The ceremony was attended by some 200 persons, including several clergy, Fr. Bob Cilinski, Pastor of All Saints Church, Fr. James Gould, Moderator of the Brent Society, Fr. John DeCelles, St. Michael's, Annandale, numerous state officials, i.e. State Senator Charles Colgan and the Honorable Richard Black and some 80+ Medical Missionary members from Manassas, Warrenton, Woodbridge, Haymarket, Fairfax, Leesburg, and Arlington.

The Brent Award for Distinguished Service was established in 1976 by the Most Reverend Thomas J. Welsh, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, Virginia. The Brent Society continues a rich tradition of public witness in the promotion of spiritual, intellectual, and social opportunities in living the Catholic Faith. The Society makes it known that those honored serve their fellowman without regard to social, political, or economic stress, while courageously promoting the fundamental dignity and rights of mankind in the name of the Lord. Past Recipients of the Brent Award include Mildred F. Jefferson, MD, Founder, National Right to Life; the Most Reverend John J. Russell, Tenth Bishop of the Richmond Diocese; The Hon-orable Henry J. Hyde, U.S. Congressman; The Honorable Antonin Scalia, Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court; The Honorable Rick Santorum, U.S. Senator to name but a few who were honored.

The evening began with a 'Welcome Evangelizers!" by Mr. Charles Molineaux, President of the Brent Society. Dr. Joseph Strada, Brent Society member gave recognition to various State Senators and Congressman associated with The Right to Life Campaign. Fr. Gould did the Invocation prior to dinner being served. Following dinner, William J. McAveney M.D. from Leesburg, Virginia, a Medical Missionary active in field work with Dr. Irwin and a Brent Society member, was the catalyst in placing Dr. Irwin's name in for the award.

Dr. William J. McAveney's Introductory Remarks.

On October 12, 1992, 500 years after Christopher Columbus landed on the island of Hispaniola, beginning the discovery and exploration of what we have since (perhaps arbitrarily) come to call North and South America, Pope John Paul II delivered a seminal address of his papacy as it relates to our portion of the planet. The occasion was the Fourth General conference of the Latin American Bishops in Santo Domingo, capital of the Dominican Republic, an impoverished country which shares the island of Hispaniola in a historically tense relationship with the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere - Haiti.

A new concept was introduced by Our Holy Father, and reinforced in subsequent teachings - a notion that you and I do not just live in North America, but rather in "The Americas" - and that we have an obligation to share the riches which we in North America enjoy with our less fortunate brothers to the South.

As this new focus unfolded, Bishop Keating of our Arlington Diocese responded in 1994 by establishing St. Francis Mission in Banica, a community in the Dominican Republic located a few miles from the Haitian border.

By 1997, it was apparent to the then Pastor at St. Francis Mission, Father Donald Rooney, that there were enormous unmet medical needs in the area. He requested in a letter that Gilbert Irwin, MD, a parishioner at All Saints Church in Manassas, Virginia, see what he could do to help. Upon further on site investigation, it became obvious that one of the major local medical problems was the large numbers of sick Haitians flocking across the border a few miles away in a desperate search for medical care.

Thus, starting with his fellow parishioners at All Saints, Dr. Irwin founded and led Medical Missionaries in a large scale ef-fort to provide medical, dental, nursing, and engineering services to those who do not enjoy our atypical high standard of living, with a focus on the All Saints' Sister Parish of St. Thomas in Thomassique, Haiti.

The effort has attracted the support and involvement of hundreds of Northern Virginians from many professions and Faith traditions. In a minute, Dr. Irwin will tell you more, and ample printed information is available in the foyer.

Who is this Dr. Irwin? I never heard of him myself before I read an article about his efforts in the Arlington Herald two (2) years ago.

He is a native of Jersey City, New Jersey - We have a connection in that I earned my undergraduate degree there at the Jesuit St. Peters College. Dr. Irwin tells me he applied to St. Peter's, and at his interview was told his grades were not the highest and that he would have great difficulty becoming a physician. (The Jesuits are not always right in their judgments!!)

So he went to rival Seton Hall University for his under graduate work, and went on to Seton Hall/New Jersey College of Medicine, earning his MD in 1968. Following this, he did his residency training in Internal Medicine at Georgetown/DC General Hospital, served in the military where he took additional training in Infectious Diseases, and entered practice in Manassas, Virginia in 1973. Many of his fellow All Saints parishioners became his patients over the years in a busy medical practice.

Despite all the stresses and time pressures of this, he has been able to respond to this call, consistent with the Papal exhorta-tion, enlisting and leading a large team of committed lay people from diverse backgrounds, to serve the Poorest of the Poor.

Without further ado, I now turn the microphone over to Dr. Gilbert R. Irwin. . .
William J. McAveney, MD

Dr. McAveney is a graduate from St. Peter's College in 1962. His continuing work towards his MD and follow on include study at State University of New York; University of Iowa; University of Washington; Children's Hospital National Medical Center & University of Rochester. At these Schools he did his internship, residency, & Fellowship majoring in Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. He is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and is a Fellow. He was active staff at Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, VA. & Loudoun Hospital Center, Leesburg, VA.

William J. McAveney, MD Dr. Irwin
Dr. Irwin's Address

Dr. Irwin began by recognizing those Medical Missionaries present at the dinner who have done so much in support of mis-sionary work for the Poorest of the Poor in the third world. He presented a slide show of his work. In 1997, at the request of a missionary priest stationed in Banica, Dominican Republic (DR), Dr. Irwin's Medical Missionaries work began. It was a small contingent of doctors and nurses who made their first trip to Banica to assess the real need. The trip was most reveal-ing and since that time, the work has escalated to where it is today, with a major goal of building a 125 bed clinic/hospital to help those with no outlet and no resources by which to pay for these most needy services. The goal, also includes, a building of ten (10) rooms to house those medical professionals who come to Banica and provide the needed services.

Dr. Irwin presented a summary of accomplishments since the work began in 1997. (A detailed write-up of all the details + other work can be gotten by reading our first six (6) Medical Missionaries Newsletters.) Thus 1997 saw some 2500 children in the mountain villages receive basic vaccines for the first time. Dr. Irwin witnessed first hand the difference of life in Virginia, versus the daily survival in the third world area just 500 miles from Miami Beach, Florida. One in good conscience could not say no to help those in need. In 1998, Medical Missionaries expanded to Haiti assisting refugees from Hurricane George which had devastated the Island. In 1999 the first full scale dental unit was set up in Banica. In addition, some 15,000 children were immunized in an area where the Hepatitis B carrier rate is 20 percent. In 2000, Medical Missionaries completed installation of a solar powered generator at the clinic in Banica and an emergency radio system for communicating with the outlying villages in the mountains. In 2001, the surgical team performed some 70 operations within one (1) week. In addition, 30,000 persons in Haiti and the Dominican Republic were immunized against pneumonia and meningitis. In 2002, sea containers with 20 tons of medical equipment and supplies of medicines went to Haiti, Dominican Republic, Ar-gentina, Jamaica and Nigeria. Also, surgical teams operated on many patients at the border between Haiti and Dominican Republic.

Medical Missionaries sends teams of doctors, dentists, nurses, technicians and other supportive personnel about three times a year to third world nations. Beside the medical teams providing numerous services, work with organizations from other parts of the United States help to support the many requests. Besides the help provided to those outside the United States, assistance continues to be given to American Indians on various reservations. We teamed with a group called, Caring and Sharing a group that works with peoples in Appalachia, Southern Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky, donating a large truck load of winter clothing serving some 4,000 very poor families. Medical Missionaries donated medical equipment and supplies, including wheel chairs and beds to Brain Injury Services of Northern Virginia to give to families who are caring for severely injured loved ones that could not afford the expense of buying these supplies. Finally, Medical Mission-aries made donations to So Others Might Eat (SOME) and other inner city Washington DC groups. Medical Missionaries is dedicated to service, does not seek public recognition, but is grateful for prayerful, material and financial support. For more information contact Dr. Irwin at (703) 361-5116, E-mail: medmissionaries@yahoo.com, or visit our Website: www.medicalmissionaries.info.

Presentation by Fr. Gould Dr. Irwin with Award Mr. Molineaux, Dr. Irwin, Fr. Gould

Ending a most eventful evening, the Presentation of the 2003 Award for Distinguished Service to Dr. Irwin was made by Fr. James Gould. Dr. Irwin thanked Dr. William McAveney, Mr. Charles Molineaux, and Fr. Gould. The ceremony ended with a closing blessing by Fr. Gould.

At the end of the ceremony several photos were taken as shown above. The evening marked a tribute to an outstanding per-son in Dr. Irwin. There is no one more worthy of such an esteemed award. In receiving the award, Dr. Irwin stated that he was receiving it not only of himself but for all the Medical Missionaries who work in the field and on the local level. A round of applause was given to him.

Dr. Irwin's Family Shirley & Linda of Dr. Irwin's Staff

Drs. Irwin, McAveney, Byrne Dr. & Mrs. LaRochelle & Ms. Williams

The Medical Missionaries extend thanks and gratitude to Dr. William J. McAveney who placed his name up for the award and to Mr. Charles Molineaux, Brent Society President, who realized the true dedication of service provided by those in-volved in providing free life saving healthcare to the Poorest of the Poor in the third world.

Also Medical Missionaries wishes to thank Mr. Benny Scarton of the Manassas Journal Messenger for his coverage of the Brent Society Distinguished Service Award.

Stan Sobczynski Newsletter Staff

President's Message

Spring 2003 has been a very busy time for sea containers. Medical Missionaries moved five sea containers in 30 days (about 100 tons of equipment, supplies, soap, etc.) to Nigeria, Haiti, Dominican Republic and Jamaica. In addition, direct aid to orphanages and clinics was pro-vided to Afghanistan via Afghan Relief Organization and individuals working in Haiti. Because we are still in need of a fork lift, the 100 tons was all moved by the hands of many volunteers. Although this work is very hard for a few people, it will literally help thousands of people in the recipient countries.

Here in Northern Virginia, direct support of brain damaged children, local health departments, and poor who don't qualify for any programs, supplies were donated for on-going care. We are still in need of volunteers for processing all donated items, particularly clothing. (Please con-tact Elsie Sullivan at 703-583-8218).

Trips to our mission base on the border of Dominican Republic and Haiti were set for May, June and October, 2003. Pro-grams there will include dentistry, pre-ventative medicine, acute care, preparation for the next surgical trip (see Ed Lawson comment on Surgical trip) and further radio/generator projects. At the same time, work continues on the building of the clinic in Thomassique, Haiti where a facility is being constructed to replace the one-bedroom currently serving as the hospital for 125,000 people.

Medical Missionaries was asked to pro-vide the educational program for the Haiti Parish Twinning Program, June 6-7, 2003 in Indianapolis, Indiana. This program marks the 25th anniversary of the program that pairs up Haitian and American par-ishes. Theresa Patterson of Nashville, Tennessee, the head of the Twinning or-ganization, has managed to get 360 plus pairs of parishes together. This program represents the largest non-governmental group giving direct aid to the people of Haiti annually. This is a remarkable challenge in view of the chaos of Haiti and the world in general.

The requests made to Medical Mission-aries continue to grow with each passing month. Your support for our funding raising events (Golf Tournament, September 11, 2003 and Family Fun Day, September 27, 2003) as well as direct donations are very much needed and ap-preciated by the poor of the world. Be-cause we are an all volunteer organization, all your donations go directly to our proj-ects (teams going over seas, sea contain-ers, building clinics, radio/power supplies, etc.).

In the last five years Medical Missionar-ies has sent over 65 million dollars worth of supplies, medicines, vaccines to Haiti and Dominican Republic for an out of pocket cost of $175,000. The value added to every dollar donated to Medical Mis-sionaries is approximately 400 to one!

Medical Missionaries is still in need of ground level storage space - barns, vacant garages, etc. - call 703-361-5116 if long-term use of space is available.

Wilderness/Survival Weekend

Medical Missionaries sponsored a week-end in the Virginia Mountains for volun-teers interested in gaining more experience for going over seas with confi-dence and efficiency. Many topics were covered including basic camping tech-niques, fire building, water acquisition and purification, clothing, preparation of food and other survival skills. Tom Campbell provided great insight into map reading, camping skills and mountaineer-ing with excellence. Additional support from our Fire Chief, Charles Patullo added to the event. Brian Brenner dis-cussed emergency auto repair. The devel-opment of rain provided a realistic focus on dealing with the elements in the wild.

The experience was a learning experience for all for future training programs in addition to being a "fun course".

Medical Missionaries
Surgical Mission
Banica, DR
November 2002

Early one Saturday morning in November, a group of highly skilled, dedicated, moti-vated, and generous medical personnel met in the waiting room of the office of Gil Irwin, MD. Our mission: to deliver surgical services to the poor and needy in the rural village of Banica, Dominican Republic.

The group consisted of four surgeons, one anesthesiologist, one nurse anesthetist, one surgical nurse, one scrub nurse, one general duty nurse, and one other volun-teer to assist the medical team. In addi-tion, the engineer for the Banica mission traveled with us.

Air travel followed by a 5-hour overland bus trip brought us to our destination where we were met by Fr. Pat and some of his "boys." We were weary, to be sure, and following a brief meal of pizza, we made our beds and turned in for the night.

There were two goals next morning:
1. Identify patients who would require our services during the succeeding five days.
2. Prepare the operating rooms, iden-tify and prepare the pre-surgical area and recovery room, prepare surgical and anesthesia equipment, identify facilities for sterilization of surgical gear, and identify any equipment or supplies that would be needed but not available to us at that time.

That afternoon we went on a lovely trip to the Campos where we visited with fami-lies of the parish. These folks live in a truly remote area, high in the mountains with little in the way of modern conven-iences. The parish has been able to supply many of these families with running water - a true miracle - and something that these families needed. No longer would they have to walk miles just to obtain a few gallons of water of questionable pu-rity. Now they would have one of the true necessities of life delivered to them.

We distributed packets of food to the families and pieces of candy to the kids - both gratefully received. On our way back down into Banica, one family we met asked for an received a roadside con-sultation from two of our surgeons - the child they examined on the roadside was one of our patients later in the week. In the evening, we attended mass and were introduced to the community.

Monday morning we began delivering surgical services to patients who had been identified the preceding day. Our first patient was a 2 year old with a large um-bilical hernia. We concluded the delivery of surgical services that Friday at noon. Over that 4-½ day span, we did over thirty cases, all under some form of regional or local anesthesia. Most cases were relatively minor such as excision of ganglion cysts or hernia repairs, but we also did three larger intra-abdominal cases: exci-sion of a prostate in an elderly man who had difficulty urinating because of the enlarged prostate, and two large uterine or ovarian tumor removals.

Our patients were highly motivated and cooperative. As mentioned previously, anesthetics were all regional and local. We had essentially no drugs for sedation. All of the patients were quite pleasant and accepted the care provided to them with thanks.

Everything went smoothly, in spite of the circumstances in which we found our-selves. For example, the primary operat-ing room did have air conditioning, but by the end of the second day the unit was rapidly failing. Fortunately, this was replaced by the next day. You would have to say that the air conditioning was marginal, and those who had to wear surgical gowns for any length of time was suffering. The secondary operating room had no surgical light, nor did it have an operating room table. Adequate lighting was obtained by moving the exam table to various locations in the room as the sun passed from east to west. There was essentially no air conditioning in the secondary operating room, and further, there were holes in the wall around the air conditioning unit which allowed for direct communication with the out of doors where there were cattle grazing next to the hospital. Also, the operating table in the primary operating room was antiquated, and many functions required of an oper-ating table were inoperable.

Actual surgical equipment was fairly limited, but we made do with it. Most of the suture and mesh was brought by the surgical team, as were the local anesthetics and spinal trays. The team brought sterile surgical gloves as well.

Sterilization presented a problem for the team. During the surgical trip prior to this mission, sterilization was accomplished using a rudimentary autoclave. This failed on the first day of our mission, and we were forced to use a cold sterilization technique - perfectly adequate for sterility, but required more time to accomplish. In addition, we had no access to running water in the surgical suite - needed for cleaning the instruments prior to sterilization - nor did we have any sterile water which was essential for rinsing the instruments after they had gone through the cold sterilization process.

We used virtually all of the IV fluids that had been in storage awaiting our arrival - many patients were dehydrated because of the heat outside and in the operating rooms. About half of our patients stayed overnight. The prospect of traveling home after surgery was not nearly as appealing as spending the night in the hos-pital on clean sheets and a nice bed (most of us would consider the conditions in the hospital wards less than hospital clean, the beds were ancient, squeaky, and probably not that comfortable).

One of the biggest issues we faced was controlling post-operative pain. We had very little long acting local anesthetics to infiltrate the surgical wounds, and we had a fairly limited supply of non-narcotic oral analgesics with which to supply our patients. We had no oral narcotic analgesics with which to medicate our patients.

We closed our trip leaving early Saturday morning for the return bus trip to Santo Domingo. After leaving our bags at the airport, we had a two-hour "vacation" at a restaurant on the clear waters of the Car-ibbean. Our return flight returned us to American soil late that night. We spent the next day recuperating before returning to work Monday morning.

Our patients were appreciative. The team was happy to be able to provide such services for the underprivileged in the community of Banica. To a person, I be-lieve that all members of the team would count it an honor to return to Banica and do our little part to help out those in need.
Ed Lawson, CRNA
Parish Twinning Program of the Americas Conference

The Parish Twinning Program of the Americas, under the direction of Theresa Patterson of Nashville, Tennessee, held its 25th anniversary in Indianapolis, Indiana, June 6-7, 2003. (See photos below). This group has about 60 medical teams that go to many different areas of Haiti. Medical Missionaries was asked to organize and moderate the speakers for the program which was attended by 300 doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other technical and interested lay people. Many medical topics of interest to those who work with the people in the poorest country in the western hemisphere were discussed.

Lectures by Drs. Kornetsky, LaRochelle and Irwin were presented. Dr. Paul Farmer, a Harvard Professor and internationally recognized expert on AIDS and tuberculosis and Director of Cange Hospital, Haiti gave the keynote address. The meeting was a great success and very beneficial to those working in the field as well as to teams that are starting to join a program for Medical missions.

Medical Missionaries has played a key role in distributing hundreds of supplies, equipment, medicines and vaccines to this group over the last four years. Theresa Patterson deserves great credit in organizing the program into the largest American non-profit group helping almost one-third of this population of Haiti directly. The potential for expanding this program was discussed at this meeting.

Gilbert R. Irwin, MD

Theresa Patterson & Paul Farmer, MD

Part of 300 attendees at the Parish Twinning Program of the Americas Conference
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Letter of Thanks

Alexandria Health Dept.
527 N. S. Asaph St.
Alexandria, VA. 22314

April 30, 2003

Dear Dr. Irwin,

Thank you very much for your contribu-tion of a wheel chair to a gentleman needing this in the last days of his life. Sadly he died before getting back to his home country. We will pass the wheel chair on to the next person without re-sources to purchase this necessary item.

Sincerely,

Debby Diman
PHN Supervisor

FLANAGAN'S BALL

To some people "Flanagan's Ball" refers to a huge annual dance held in the Wicklow Mountains south of Dublin. To the June 2003 team of Medical Missionaries it is a small utility building attached to a storage shed at El Centro in Banica. Once Craig Flanagan completed this little structure, the ball started rolling. An aborted attempt to salvage a vintage gasoline-operated electrical generator led to acquisition of a brand spanking new ONAN 12.5 KW Diesel. It will reliably provide power for the rapidly expanding Clinic as well as the dormitory, refrigera-tors, microwaves, and construction tools. We simply needed something to put in Craig's shelter. We couldn't allow all the lad's efforts to go for naught, could we? Don't even think it! Once the floor was poured with concrete and leveled (thanks to Fr. Gee and his troops) it was ready. The big red donation funded the Academy of Oral Dynamics, in memory of Dr. Stanley Knebleman, was installed and waiting orders to cover our amperage and give us "watt fer".

Underground electrical cable was run from Flanagan's Ball through the circuit breaker in the Clinic and, back underground, to the pavilion, then up and through the roof of the pavilion to leap airborne, to join with the solar hookup in the dormitory. Like magic, we were in charge. Let there be light, let there be water from the shower, let there be dental drills, let there be microwaves.
We established three regions of work: Banica, Pedro Santana, and Haiti. Joe Ireland and Anita Wilson and the muchachos would install the "new" equipment in the Banica/El Centro clinic. This gallant effort would afford twice the operating capability and productive potential for Dr. Mike Morch and his "biggest ever" dental team, which will arrive in July. Bill Shelton and Ron Burrell headed for Pedro Santana to wire an inverter system for the local Nuns. This allows the good sisters to charge batteries while the local electric power is available so that they might have continued service, for up to 6 hours during the routine daily outages. They installed one of the 7.5 KW Onan diesels there and made our new liaison and pastor, Fr. Daniel Gee, just as happy as the nuns.

Ron Dougherty and I, insect repellant, water jug, and camera in hand, set out for the wet western front. The rainy season in the land rover Republic makes for an eventful and thought-provoking journey. Fr. Ronell and Fr. Caume, his new associ-ate, are men of few words, but always incredibly agreeable.

Thomassique bustled. The twining pro-gram was obviously in motion. The church demolition was all but underway, the foundation for the shelter which will house the new Medical Missionary generator was being poured, and the St. Thomas's muddy grounds was being continually stirred by building committee members, masons, demolition crews, cleaners, cooks and laborers. I could eas-ily discern that Theresa Patterson's co-twin parish St. Henry's, Nashville, Tennessee group continues to be active.

On the outskirts of town, at the Medical Missionaries building site, the scene was similar. Not near as muddy, not quite as many laborers, not as much confusion, but similar. The enthusiasm was obvious despite the sloppy humid environment and the set backs necessitated by the daily downpours. The septic tank has been placed, but remains temporarily watertight and without a "field". It is presently being used to hold water used in the construction of the great water tower. As I peered at what is the tallest and most ominous structure in area, I reasoned that this monumental structure can and will serve as a reservoir for an out-patient clinic, a hospital facility and a staff residence. The young workers lined up vertically on the make-do, half-straight wooden ladder gazed down at me as they passed from one to the other the heavy bucket of cement. I decided that all is well as it can be in Haiti.
Dr. E. Paul Byrne

Medical Mission Conference

Plans are coming together for the Medical Missions Conference 2003 to be held at Prince William Hospital, Manassas, Virginia on Saturday, September 20th and Sunday, September 21st. See page on Medical Mission Conference for full details. The education program is sponsored by Medical Missionaries and the CME Department of Prince William Hospital. The registration fee of $50.00 in-cludes the education program, meals, CME and CEU credits.

Attendees of last year's one day seminar found the information presented to be helpful to their endeavors as medical missionaries. This year we will discuss additional subjects that will assist the health professional and lay person engage in useful health aid in underdeveloped regions. Opportunities will be provided to learn about problems affecting the Third World in general (TB, AIDS, malaria, malnutrition) and the current approaches in areas with limited resources. Skills that might come in handy for the health missionary will be taught in workshops entitled:

1. Basic orthopedics: fractures, disloca-tions. Treatment where there is no orthopod.
2. The uncomplicated and complicated delivery
3. Fitting donated eyeglasses to the right person. The color of the frames is not the most important thing.
4. For dentists and others interested. How to set up dental missions. Choice of equipment, extractions, restoration, dental hygiene, fluoride
5. Setting up radio communications
6. Pediatric topics in the third world
7. Surgical teams on a mission
8. Water issues: theoretical and practical
9. Dr. Gil Irwin: The logistics of the medical mission

Other presentations have been scheduled as follows:
Ed Tramont from NIH on Global AIDS, Dx and Tx.
ED Mitre, MD. from NIH on Parasitic disease, eradication programs, filiariasis.

Speakers on malaria and dengue fever:
Dr. Northup from Project Hope will be discussing topics in preventive health in the Third World.
Dr. Mede Clinical case presentations
Nutrition in third world and topics in breast feeding
Bob Wilson Medical projects in Uganda.

Health professionals and lay people, those who regularly go on medical missions and those who are thinking of volunteering, will find this program useful.

If you are interested in attending this very practical and relevant seminar please contact irwinmed@aol.com or medmissionaries@yahoo.com. For information, comments or to suggest a speaker or topic please email kkornetsky@msn.com.

Ken Kornetsky ,M.D.

Medical Missionaries, Inc.
3rd Annual Golf Tournament
Thursday, September 11, 2003
Fairfax National Golf Club Centreville, Virginia

Schedule of Events

8:00 AM Early Bird Registration
8:45 AM Rules & Tournament
Information
9:00 AM Shotgun - 4 Man Scramble
2:00 PM Lunch/Award Ceremony

Extra Activities

Closest to the Pin
Double or Nothing Par Three
Hole-in-One
Mulligan Sales

Tournament Format

Team to Consist of 4 Players
Per Player Cost -- $115.00
Teams Play -- "Captain's Choice"
Prizes Will Be Awarded

Tournament Sponsor

Hole Sponsor $150.00
Beverage Cart Sponsor $200.00
Premium Hole Sponsor $250.00
Lunch Sponsor $350.00

**Calling all Golfers- We invite you to come and play. Have fun golfing and help the Medical Missionaries, a non-profit organization, to provide Medical Healthcare to the World's Poorest of the Poor.

**To Play and or Sponsor Please Call Shirley Armel at (703) 361-6480

FAMILY FUN DAY
FALL EXTRAVAGANZA

It is just around the corner, Saturday, September 27, 2003 come join us at the Prince William County Fairgrounds. It should prove to be a most enjoyable day for persons of all ages.

Morning 5K Healthcare Race. Fun Day begins starting at 8:00 AM with a 5k run/walk followed by a post-race cham-pagne/pancake breakfast. Early Registra-tion Fee for this event is $20.00, if done by September 22nd. Late and Race Day registration is $23.00. Race entry in-cludes a T-shirt and the post-race cham-pagne/pancake breakfast for registered runners. Family members of registered runners may purchase additional tickets to the breakfast on race day for an additional $5.00per person, maximum of $25.00 per family. T-shirts are not guaranteed to race day registrants. Pre-Race Packets Pick-Up will be done on Friday, September 26th from 5 PM to 8 PM at the Prince William County Fairgrounds.

Awards: Awards will be given to the top 3 male and female overall finishers and to the top 3 male and female finishers in the following age groups: 12 & under, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70 & over. Seniors 55 and up are encouraged and welcomed to extend their exercise and improve their health week by joining us at the fairgrounds on Saturday morning. A Doctor will be on the grounds all day.

Family Style Fun Activities. Following the race, family members of all ages are encouraged to join in the many other ac-tivities. Games will include: Closest to the Pin Golf Contest, Basketball Shoot-out, Punt, Pass and Kick Contest, Surf Casting Contest, Three-Legged Race, Tug-of-War Contest, and Reversed

Tractor Pull to name the majority of ac-tivities that will take place. Age catego-ries will be considered for participants in the various activities for fair and balanced consideration. During the games and throughout the day a barbeque/hot dog/hamburger lunch and dinner will be available at a very reasonable cost. Also during the day their will be a extraordinaire magician performing at various times. Wait until you see Major Gen. John Pesch dazzle you with his added skills in proving that the hand sometimes is quicker than the eye. Live music will be available through the day as performed by the talented doctors, dentists,
nurses and professional who work here at home and abroad in the mission fields. You will be amazed at their secondary job skills, but delightful. With the food and music you will continue to enjoy the other activities that will take place much of the day i.e., Bake Sale, Silent Auction, Live Auction, Arts/Craft Sale, Yard Sale, Horse/Pony Rides, and Moon Bounce.

Cash Draw Down; At 4:00 PM there will be a Cash/Bash draw down with lots of opportunities to win money and prizes with a Grand Prize of $10,000.00. For more information or to purchase tickets for the Fundraising Gala & Cash Draw Down, Please call (703) 361-5116.

Family Fun Day Request for Help: To make this event a financial success in order to support our mission work in providing Free Healthcare to 3rd World peoples who have no resources by which to pay, we will need help in sev-eral ways. This can be accomplished as follows:
1) We welcome your donation of time perhaps 2-3 hours working with our all volunteer staff. Come spend some time and enjoy the day.
2) We will need a host of items donated to be used in the various booths and for the various events. Whatever you can provide, large or small is wel-comed. This can include food items (cakes, cookies, candy etc), various type prizes, (gifts in all ranges from simply inexpensive to medium to ex-pensive for prizes). Gift certificates whether it be for food, dinner, other types of prizes are most welcome.

Fun-Day Program Book: Jeff Brougham and Brian Brenner are working hard in putting together a program book for this event. The various categories and costs include the following:

Benefactor $500.00
Event Sponsor $250.00
Full-Page Advertisement $100.00
Half-Page $50.00
Quarter-Page $25.00
Patron $20.00
Contributor $10.00

Any support that you give this most charitable effort is most appreciated, simply call, (703) 361-5116.

Staff

Summer Raffle Winners
June 27, 2003

Luggage set Phyllis Arbaiza
Captain's chairs Jackie Purdy
Collapsible cooler Alice Iddings
& picnic set

MEDICAL MISSIONS
CONFERENCE

Third World Missionary Medicine

Malaria
Global AIDS
Assessment of Health Systems
Nutrition
Filariasis
Preventive Medicine Programs
Breakout Sessions: Orthopedics, Water Supplies, Obstetrics,
Medical Missionary Team Formation, Surgery

Saturday, September 20 - Sunday, September 21, 2003
7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Prince William Hospital
4th Floor Health Center Conference Rooms ABC

Target Audience: All interested healthcare professionals, laymen, and volunteers interested in participating in healthcare missions to third world countries.

Objectives: After the program participants should be able to: (1) describe ways to become more effective and efficient in providing health care to the Third World countries; (2) develop protocols; (3) identify resources; (4) discuss mission logistics, and (5) assist newly-formed medical teams with planning, organizing, supplying, and carrying out successful medical missions.

Educational Credit: Prince William Hospital is accredited by the Medical Society of Virginia to sponsor Continuing Medical Education for physicians. Prince William Hospital designates this Continuing Medical Education activity for 10.0 credit hours in Category 1 of the Physician's Recognition Award of the American Medical Association.

EACH PHYSICIAN SHOULD CLAIM ONLY THOSE HOURS OF CREDIT THAT HE/SHE ACTUALLY SPENT IN THE ACTIVITY.

This newsletter is published by Medical Missionaries Inc.
Manassas, VA.

Executive Director: Gilbert R. Irwin, MD

Newsletter Staff:
Mary & Stan Sobczynski
Board Members
Other Volunteers

Medical Missionaries can be
contacted as follows:

Gilbert R. Irwin, MD
9590 Surveyor Court
Manassas, VA 20110
Telephone: (703) 361-5116
Fax: (703) 361-5876
E-mail: medmissionaries@yahoo.com
Website: medicalmissionaries.info

Summer 2003

Winter 2003

MEDICAL MISSIONARIES NEWSLETTER Issue No. 8 Winter 2003 ***************************************************************************************************

President's Message

The Fall of 2003 has been a very busy time for the volunteers of Medical Missionaries. Two major fund raisers, the 3rd Annual Golf Tournament, and Family Fun Day netted approximately $40,000 for the construction fund for the Thomassique, Haiti clinic. Children's games at the Family Fun Day, Auction at the Family Fun Day, A Medical Mission Education Conference attended by many groups dealing with health care in the Third World was well received. This program not only provided technical data on health care in the Third World but also focused on a discussion of organiza-tional and logistic issues so crucial to maintaining continuity in a program.

In rapid succession following the three events in September, a team of 24 volunteers went to Banica, Dominican Republic (DR) and Thomassique, Haiti from 16 to 24 October, 2003. During that time, hundreds of people were seen for clinical consultations. Progress at the medical site for the clinic is apparent with completion of the 30,000 gallon water tower for the Water Tower complex and the start of the founda-tion for the staff house. Under the direction of Francois Larouche, a Haitian architect, many laborers toil to bring the clinic to a reality. This project has been vividly grasped by the people of Thomassique who currently only have a one bed room serving as a hospital for 125,000 people. Although surrounded by overwhelming poverty, malnutrition and disease, the completion of this clinic will represent a major advancement for thousands for generations to come. More medical personnel will routinely go to Thomassique which will have the basic lab and diagnostic procedures available for use by the health personnel.

In order to complete this project in the next year, more funds will be needed. With your continued support, help and prayers, this project is possible. I ask you to consider giving a donation during this time of year which will be the greatest Christmas gift of all, some hope for 125,000 abandoned people. Although this work is long, hard and filled with frustration, the thanks coming from the people are from their hearts. A child grows, a mother survives a difficult delivery, wounds are healed, an old man gets relief from arthritis after years of holding a machete in the field are simple signs of making, a difference. You can help us to help them and ultimately themselves with your donation. May God bless you and your families during the 2003 Christmas Season.

Gilbert R. Irwin. MD Board of Directors President Gilbert R. Irwin, MD Vice-President Ken Kornetsky, MD Secretary Carolyn Jeans, RN Treasurer Brian Brenner Paul Byrne, DDS Charles La Rochelle, DDM Ron Burrell

This newsletter is published quarterly by Medical Missionaries Inc. Manassas, VA. Executive Director: Gilbert R. Irwin, MD Newsletter Staff: Mary & Stan Sobczynski Board Members Other Volunteers Medical Missionaries can be contacted as follows:
Gilbert R. Irwin, MD 9590 Surveyor Court Manassas, VA 20110
Telephone: (703) 361-5116
Fax: (703) 361-5876
E-mail: medmissionaries@yahoo.com
Website: medicalmissionaries.info

Golden Agers The Golden Agers of All Saints Church continue to gather items each month to help meet the needs of Medical Missionaries. During the month of November we brought in towels and wash cloths along with sheets and pillow cases. It is such a joy to be able to do our part for those in need. Also, we keep in prayer these wonderful teams who travel to these remote places to serve the Poorest of the Poor. It is hard to believe that they give up so much of their time, so unselfishly to help. We are thankful for them. Keep up the good work! The Golden Agers will continue to do whatever they can to help Dr. Irwin and Medical Missionaries in their endeavor.

Mary Ellen Merchant Report on Missionary Medicine Seminar 2003:

The second seminar sponsored by Medical Missionaries and Prince William Hospital was held on September 20 and 21. Despite Hurricane Isabel and the very real threat of power outages and flight cancellations the meeting was well attended and enthusiastically received. Attendees came from as far away as Texas, Georgia, and Boston. All of our speakers, all of whom are volunteers, were able to give their presentations. We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the speakers, the attendees, our many volunteers, and the CME department of Prince William Hospital who contributed to making this year's session another outstanding and practical learning experience. When referring to the conference I find that I use several different descriptive titles, "Third World Missionary Medicine", "Missionary Medicine," Medicine for the Western Healthcare Professional Working in Underdeveloped and Poor Areas." These titles reflect the following themes that were addressed in depth at the conference. 1. The medical missionary must know how to approach medical problems with less diagnostic, therapeutic, and consultative re-sources. 2. One may need to address problems outside his or her area of expertise. 3. In planning an ongoing health commitment to a geographical area, thought needs to be given to prioritizing which problems can be addressed and attempt to work in concert with other charity, local, and in country government groups so as not to duplicate ef-forts. 4. Further one must learn more about the people, find out what they view as their needs and work with them.

To these ends the following sessions were held. Lt. Colonel Karen Geisler, head of the nutrition research department at Walter Reed Hospital discussed nutritional deficiencies found in impoverished areas. She also conducted a hands-on session demonstrating nutritional as-sessment tools. Cindy Curtis, R.N. lactation specialist from Culpepper Hospital was present to discuss lacta-tion problems. Ed Mitre, M.D. from the NIH parasitology lab returned again this year to expand on his lecture, "A Few Hel-minthes and Then Some," covering intestinal worms and some protozoa as well.

It was very entertaining and this year not before lunch. Dr. Jorge Arias, PhD., a medical entomologist with many years of field work in South America maintained the audience's enthusiasm with his presentation on insect borne diseases including malaria, dengue, leishmaniasis, filariasis. (His excellent Power Point presentation is available for viewing through the PWH Library). Dr. Austin Moede with years of service in endemic malaria areas discussed the practical and current clinical ap-proach to this very significant disease. Hands-on and break-out session provided more "How to" opportunities. Dr. Paul Byrne and Dr. Mike Morch discussed dentistry programs for mission groups including fluoride programs. Dr. and Mrs. James Fields from the Methodist Medical Mission programs were in attendance and shared their experiences with fluoride programs as well as other mission endeavors. A demonstration was also given by Dr. Byrne on local dental anesthesia. Margot Watson, MD. an obstetrician demonstrated how to manage a delivery using a demonstration delivery model. Dr. Jeffrey Wise conducted a demonstration session in orthopedics with actual casting and splinting. Ron Burrell, Tom Campbell, and Charlie Patullo led a discussion of engineering to support mission trips as well as establishing power sources and radio communications. Pete Benedetto presented a talk on water and water purification. Dr. Gil-Montero and Dr. James White reviewed their experiences and recommendations on surgical mission trips. Dr. Bill McAveney, a pediatrician, discussed the approach to diarrhea and re-hydration in children. Dr. Bill Royal, optometrist, discussed his experience fitting eyeglasses on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic. He demonstrated a new device "the Autorefractor" (see below) that would permit non eye specialists with minimal training to fit eyeglasses. Dr. Gil Irwin and Bob Wilson offered advice on mission planning and logistics. Jennie Smith, PhD., an anthropologist with a special interest in the Caribbean, talked about how programs to provide aid often miss the mark espe-cially when they do not include the people they are supposed to be helping. The next day Dr. Robert Northrup from Project Hope expanded on the theme of maximizing the benefit in his discussion of programs that emphasize self help as well as preventive health care. Dr. Ed Tremont from NIH concluded the conference with a review of the global efforts to address the AIDS epidemic.

One closing note -- there does appear to be a demand on mission trips for eyeglasses. However there is not always an optometrist available to match up the donated glasses with the patients. I believe the Autorefractor mentioned above could solve this problem. I propose that mission groups that are interested (e.g. in the Virginia area) buy a device together (cost $4500) and share it. For more information email me. The next medical mission seminar, all new and improved will be held in the spring 2005. You can e-mail me at kkornetsky@msn.com Ken Kornetsky, MD Treating hypertension in rural Haiti and the Dominican Republic

It has been a consistent observation that hypertension, often severe is common in rural Haiti and the Dominican Republic. It remains unclear what approach should be taken to hy-pertension. While high blood pressure would be expected extrapolating from studies done in more developed coun-tries to be the cause of stroke and car-diac disease later in life, I do not think much information is available about the prevalence of these conditions in Haiti. Perhaps as mortality from infection improves more cardiovascular disease will appear. Follow-up of patients has not been practical for a medical mission group that visits only sporadically. The choice of which medication to choose is difficult. The climate is hot and fluid and electrolyte loss is great. Medications that affect heart rate would not be a good choice without follow up. Ace inhibitors and Angiotensin receptor blockers at low doses may not be as effective in blacks. Short acting Dihydropyridines such as nifedipine are available on the island but as a one time per day dose would be ineffective and may be asso-ciated with increased cardiac mortal-ity. As a pilot project, Medical Mission-aries has identified about 100 patients in Haiti and Dominican Republic with severe hypertension (systolic greater than 180 or diastolic greater than 110) and has started them on medication from one of four categories. We will be following up with the patients every 2-3 months to monitor the effects on Blood Pressure and general health, to see which medication choices, if any, are effective and prac-tical to obtain. Follow up will be per-formed by medical mission volunteers and local Haitian personnel. Ken Kornetsky, MD

Golf Tournament September 11, 2003

I don't know how we keep getting so lucky, someone up there really likes us. The weather once again was perfect for the Golf Tournament at Fairfax National. I would like to thank all who golfed that day and many thanks to the new comers to the tournament. I hope all will be coming back next September and bring more teams. Medical Missionaries is doing great work with the money raised with the different fundraisers through the year. Many, many thanks; you make it a fun day for me. Shirley Armel

Banica and Haiti Dental Trip

The trip was from July 5-11 2003.

The first and last days were travel days, leaving early and arriving late. On July 6th, two dentists worked in the Banica clinic while two dentists set up in the pavilion. One dentist triaged patients and administered anesthetic. Portable equipment worked great; so did the Banica clinic. The next day, Fr Gee bused in patients from Campos and we also saw people that could not be seen in June. Some mornings we worked in the Banica clinic.

In the afternoon Dr. Mike Buglione and Dr. Dan Kelliher went to the Campos, while Dr. Margaret Stubblefeld, Dr. Njeri Njorge and I, with my son Bryan and Michelle (a UVA student) went to Haiti. We arrived about 3:00 PM and worked till about 8 PM. On July 9th, we worked in Haiti from about 7:30 AM - 10:30 AM, and then left for the Dominican Republic. The others who had stayed in the Dominican Republic worked in Banica.

On July 10th, we went with Fr. Jack to the Campos and worked there in the morning. The afternoon was spent cleaning up and organizing instruments etc. Fr. Gee asked us how much this amount of Dentistry would cost in the U.S.? A rough estimate is that we five dentists and assistants did approximately $85,000 worth of work.

Feed-back from the group was positive. The other four dentists seemed like they would go again. In the future, it would be better to have someone there who knows how to operate the equipment at El Centro. It seemed that it was slowly falling apart. Toward the end of the week there was no water in the dental clinic and we could not get the solar batteries to take over once the generator was turned off.

Mike Morch, DDS

Cookbooks

You can help the Medical Missionar-ies by purchasing the Pinch of Hope Cookbook on sale for $11.00. They can be purchased at Dr. Irwin's, Dr. Byrne's, Dr. Kornetsky's and Dr. Morch's offices.

Art Work for Sale / Donation At 9590 Surveyor Court, one can find relief assistance and relief for problems in one's health and guidance to recovery. In addition, one can find many forms of artwork. The artwork is primarily of wildlife and highlights scenes from, the west, northwest and southwest. Being fond of the outdoors and spending restful moments in them whenever possible, Dr. Irwin has found peace and rest in painting whenever time permits. His works are on display and for sale to raise money for the groups work. For a Tax Free donation of $75.00 each, you can acquire one or more of these paintings. By purchasing these paintings you can help support Medical Missionaries in their work with the Poorest of the Poor. See or call Shirley 703-361-5116 . Some paintings by Dr. Irwin

Family Fun Day Ca$h Lotto Results DD Drawn # Prize Finalist 098 1 637 $300 823 $300 114 $300 877 2 756 $300 170 $300 130 $300 310 3 444 $400 874 $400 220 $400 685 4 006 $400 759 $400 094 $400 847 5 128 $400 807 $400 133 6 459 $500 546 $500 944 7 962 $500 421 $500 821 8 536 $500 440 $500 299 9 181 $1,000 966 $1,000 720 $1,000 685 $1,000 551 $1,000 ` 910 10 Draw Down Finals D/D Drawn # Prize 1 877 None 2 098 None 3 847 None 4 944 None All Share 310 $1,667 All Share 685 $1,667 All Share 133 $1,667 All Share 821 $1,667 All Share 299 $1,667 All Share 910 $1,667

Congratulations to all winners and thanks to all participants for another successful Lotto/Draw-Down for the benefit of Medical Missionaries Engineering

Update:

An engineering excursion was made to Banica, Dominican Republic(DR) and Thomassique, Haiti 10/13 - 10/23.

The primary objective was to install the 7.5 KVA Diesel generator (shipped last Spring) and to provide lighting and electric power to the existing one bed room clinic in Thomassique. The veteran team comprised of Bill Shelton, Craig Flanagan and I was augmented with the very energetic Dave Eisel from Warrenton. Bill, our certified and licensed electrician, spent considerable effort teaching Dave the tricks of the trade (as well as all the appropriate codes for the DR and Haiti).

Dave proved to be a rapid learner and was a very valuable asset to the team. Being an international businessman, he also made significant progress in learning to communicate in Creole. Craig may be a retired schoolteacher, but he is still very agile and did most of the acrobatics required to string the wires. We managed to complete the clinic, connect the Rectory to the generator and run a single circuit to the Parish Hall. (One light bulb and a single receptacle for the building currently used as a temporary church). We could not connect the Inverter and the old solar panels because the 10 new 6-volt batteries never made it to Thomassique. We will try again in December to complete this backup system. The heat and humidity were ferocious, which make the Haitian Beer taste like the best premium beer in the world. It will be great when the new staff house in completed. The present accommodations are poor at best with only one working toilet for the many occupants and guests at the Thomassique Rectory.

I cannot describe the construction activities in process for the new church. Manual labor and ingenuity appears to more then compensate for the lack of modern con-struction tools.

Our return trip to Banica was a nightmare. It took eight hours for the 15-mile trip. We rode in the Land Rover, but watched and waited as the large truck struggled with the mud and erosion of the very questionable road. Bystanders at the many spots where the truck became stuck aided the on-board crew of four Haitians in digging it out. They say a picture is worth a 1,000 words, but the picture below cannot nearly describe the mess that we drove through. View of the road and stuck truck on our way back from Thomassique to Banica Back in Banica, the engineering crew split up with Dave joining the Medical staff as an interpreter and medical technician. The rest of us had to service several faulty Village Radio power systems, perform Diesel main-tenance tasks, complete the El Centro battery bank rewiring and construct a shed for the Padro Santana Diesel power system.

Caring and Sharing Outreach

Many times I have been asked, as well as other members, whether we do any work locally or nationally - other than outreach mission in countries outside the US. The answer to this inquiry is that we do and the Caring and Sharing organization is one of them. During the late summer months Medical Missionaries provided an 18-wheeler truck load of clothing and household items. The Caring and Sharing group is headed by Sanford and Geneva Blankenship, Director and Coordina-tors respectively working in the many rural and outlying areas of southern Virginia. The group began its work initially while helping those persons who worked long and hard hours in coal mining country. Since those early days, when things were some-what prosperous, times and conditions have changed and now there is little or no work, conditions have become run down and the people are poor and destitute. The group has become aware of their plight and has been very busy trying to help them live a better life. Thus, along with some colleges and schools, Caring and Sharing has been active in helping them repair their homes, assisting with providing food and those unable to do so have been helped with preparing food for them as well as providing the same. When the need arises, Caring and Sharing has contacted Medical Mis-sionaries to give an assist, a helping hand.

The photo below shows the group and the Medical Missionaries loading the truck. From left to right: Dr. Gil Irwin, in truck, Geoff Brougham, Susie Cor-nell, Betty Lear Grundy, Charles Kitchen, Rick Mullins, Garland Dodson and Sanford Blankenship seated.

Stan Sobczynski

Holiday Raffle 2003

Medical Missionaries is having its Christmas/Holiday raffle. It is a way in which to raise some funds to support our work with the poor throughout the world. This year's raffle features many handcrafted works including a ceramic hand painted Nativity set, a very colorful handmade quilt and a handmade pottery dish. In ad-dition there are other gifts that will be provided the winners. Posters advertising this raffle can be seen at Dr. Irwin's, Dr. E. Paul Byrne's offices in Manassas and Dr. Mike Morch's office in Woodbridge. In Warrenton they can be seen at Dr. Ken Kornetsky's office and at St. John's Church.

The cost of one ticket is $1.00 or 6 for $5.00. See Shirley at Dr. Irwin's office or call 703-361-5116.

The raffle items will be awarded on Friday, December 19, 2003. We are grateful for your support.

This year's raffle includes: o Hand painted ceramic Nativity Set o Hand made afghan o Hand made pottery dish o 3-Month membership at Olympus Gym

Other gifts: o Lunch Buffet for 2 o Gift Certificates to: o J.E. Rice ($25.00) o Java Rock ($20.00) o Manassas Mall (10.00) plus Pro Image ($10.00) o Manassas Cinemas (6 passes) plus more o A Golf Fun Package o Fairfax National Golf Club -Green Fees (2) o Sunnybrook Golf - 2 jumbo baskets of golf balls o Magic Putting Place (2 passes)

Winter 2003

Spring 2004

MEDICAL MISSIONARIES NEWSLETTER
Issue No. 9 Spring 2004
**********************************************************************************************************
President's Message

The year 2003 was ever expanding for Medical Missionaries. Some major accomplishments include:

1) A total of 10 sea containers were sent to Haiti, Dominican Repub-lic, Nigeria, Jamaica and Palestine.
2) Construction of the medical clinic in Thomassique, Haiti was started and improvement was made to the clinic in Banica, Dominican Republic.
3) Multiple shipments of medicines and supplies were made to nine clinics in Afghanistan, five in Af-rican countries, and Central and South America.
4) Domestic outreach was made to Appalachia, Greater Washington DC, brain injured of Northern Virginia as well as needy local individuals.

All this work, and much more not mentioned, is done by dedicated volunteers who daily give of their time, treasure and talents.With the construction program in Haiti and the ever increasing number of requests, Medical Missionaries asks for your continued support. All donations go to support our efforts in the USA and overseas. There are NO PAID people or expensive publications etc. In the last five years, Medical Missionaries has sent over 65 million dollars of medicine and supplies to Haiti and the Dominican Republic for an out of pocket cost of about $175,000. The value of $1.00 donated thus becomes almost $400.
All donations to Medical Missionaries translate into direct contact with the very poor. Our volunteers in the field hold clinics, perform surgery, and provide dental work on thousands of people each year. Our distribution of supplies to other countries helps countless thousands who will never know, how, when and where that coat, medicine or bandage was collected and sent but they will be inspired. The work is endless and expanding. You can help children, mothers, the old and infirm to survive and make the world a better place. Thanks for your support and may God bless you and yours for all you do.
Gilbert R. Irwin, MD

Haiti Crisis
Political problems have once again torn apart Haiti. Rebel forces have overthrown the government of President Aristide in the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. As the chaos of the time once again settles down, the poor will need our presence in Thomassique, Haiti ever more. We need your prayers and support to continue to help the very poor people trying to survive day by day.
Gilbert R. Irwin, MD

Brief Details of Aid Provided
a) Bethlehem -
Holy Land At the request of Fr. Rooney of St Mary's Parish, Fredericksburg, VA, a sea container of medical supplies was sent to medical clinics in Palestine. The medical clinics are run by the Franciscans who treat the sick and in-jured in this turbulent area of the world. Ironically, this sea container left our warehouse the week before Christmas and like 2000 years ago, it went to Bethlehem. Medical Mission-aries is reaching out with the good hearted people of all Faiths striving to help the poorest of the poor.

b) Tajikistan-
Medical Missionaries in conjunction with Project Hope recently donated a large supply of hospital mattresses, wheelchairs, crutches and walkers to a hospital in Tajikistan. This area of the world, north of Afghanistan, has many problems related to the breakup of the Soviet Union. The universal common denominator of all Third World coun-tries is the cry of the poor and sick. Although Medical Missionaries is a small but rapidly growing organiza-tion, we receive many requests for help from around the world. Medical Mis-sionaries tries to honor as many re-quests as possible with shipments of donated medical supplies to responsi-ble recipients in this country. The Third World needs our collective HELP. Together we can make a dif-ference, little by little.

c) Appalachia
On the domestic front, Medical Mis-sionaries in conjunction with another local nonprofit group, Caring and Sharing, sent two large truck loads of winter clothing, household items and baby clothes to Appalachia. This ef-fort helps to supply approximately 4,000 needy families in a poor area where
Board of Directors

President Gilbert R. Irwin, MD
Vice-President Ken Kornetsky, MD
Secretary Carolyn Jeans, RN
Treasurer Brian Brenner
Paul Byrne, DDS
Charles La Rochelle, DDM
Ron Burrell

This newsletter is published quarterly by Medical Missionaries Inc.
Manassas, VA.

Executive Director: Gilbert R. Irwin, MD

Newsletter Staff:
Mary & Stan Sobczynski

Medical Missionaries can be contacted as follows:

Gilbert R. Irwin, MD
9590 Surveyor Court
Manassas, VA 20110
Telephone: (703) 361-5116
Fax: (703) 361-5876
E-mail: medmissionaries@yahoo.com
Website: medicalmissionaries.info

Unemployment is high. Medical Mis-sionaries has been routinely sending large quantities of clothing etc. for over a year. The people there are most appreciative.
Gilbert R. Irwin, MD

Have You Noticed?
Medical Missionaries' slogan has changed and as a result our Logo also. It seems that many people thought that we were strictly a Catholic organization. This impression is understandable because we work closely with the Catholic Mission in Banica, DR and the Catholic parish of St. Thomas in Thomassique, Haiti. We also get major support from All Saints Catholic Church of Manassas and have many of its members as volunteers. However, we also get support from many other non-Catholic Churches and Organizations as well as Christian and Jewish volunteers. Hence our Slogan changed to: "Striving to Help the Poorest of the Poor" becomes "People of All Faiths Helping the Poorest of the Poor"

Medical Missionaries Team
St. John's Church, Warrenton, VA
October 2003
The medical mission team from St. John's Church, Warrenton, VA, traveled to Thomassique, Haiti, to wire the clinic in preparation for the medical teams who came on Thursday, October 16, 2003. The team consisted of Vene Rodriguez, Eileen Drinkwater, David Eisel, Deacon Bernie, Peggy Ragan, and three other persons.

The team was met at the airport by Father Daniel Gee, Pastor of St. Francis in Banica. We cleared customs with 44 pieces of large luggage containing all the medications for those to be treated. While Father Gee kept talking to the customs hierarchy, the team continued passing through the line. Not one bag was opened.

The bus trip from Santa Domingo airport took 8 hours and included a stop at the side of the road, in the dark, to change a flat tire. At the beginning of this bus ride it was discovered that the brakes were malfunctioning and they were repaired by putting a square peg in a round hole; i.e.: a Dominican repair job. This was the first of many episodes that caused us to turn to prayer for comfort and protection of the medical team of 22 people including; college students, doctors, nurses, electricians, dentists, interpreters and helpers.

There were torrential rain showers each morning. The dirt roads are washed out creating craters in the road. The team became good at locating rocks to fill the ruts enabling us to continue the journey to the next village. The roads are the worst that we have seen in the past 5 years. Thus, the first assignment took us over 45 minutes of travel in a truck. As we reached one of the hills, we were unable to proceed because the road was impassable. Thus we turned around and went about another direction. Many bridges were washed out and we were forced to drive directly through the water.

The first clinic was at a village that did not have an inside center so we had to conduct clinic services on the outside under a tin roof held up by some sticks. The local inhabitants of goats and chickens watched as we set up our stations to evaluate our patients. Before each clinic, Father Gee would celebrate Mass; the people in attendance were dressed in their finest clothes.

At the clinic all adults were screened for high blood pressure. Those with elevated pressure were treated and given 30 days worth of medicines. They will be seen again to repeat the blood pressure tests to see if and how effective was the medication.

Records are kept by Anne, an American nurse practitioner, who has volunteered to work with Father Daniel Gee for a six month period. Her focus is Public Health and Blood Pressure Clinics. All pregnant women are being tested for HIV, malaria, and hepatitis. There was only one person tested positive for hepatitis and Father Daniel Gee arranged transportation to take her to a hospital in the capital to get treatment. All 15-25 year olds were screened for HIV; no one tested positive. That in itself was a true blessing.

Dan, our student member of the team, painted the names of each chapel on the outside of the building. Some of the chapels "compos" are brand new, recently constructed - several with funds from St. John's Church. Other chapels are in bad need of painting; this would be a great project for a group of teens during summer break. Also, many of the schools need to be painted inside and outside.

This year the team had the opportunity to spend time with the children in school. The children were taught how to use soap and water for hygiene; and, instructed in how to brush their teeth with boiled water. Tooth brushes and soap were collected at St. John's

Church every Sunday for the past year; we were able to distribute them to them on this trip. Many days we had a dentist with us. He inspected the children's teeth and did dental extractions. They had a lot of tooth decay because they chew sugar cane regularly.

Life and living in the Caribbean islands can be challenging; the insects were very busy this year because of the heavy rains. The team slept with mosquito netting but each morning we would wake up with red dots on our skin. The dots became blotches and were very itchy; but, would disappear in about 4-5 days.

While out on the road working the clinics, lunch was usually water and a granola bar. Once the children were in school, then the remaining members of the families would line up to be seen and they would be given the same education and treatment as the school children. Unfortunately, the team could not break for lunch because there were so many people to see and treat. After working 7-8 hours at one site, the team was always happy to return to El Centro in Banica. Here were had a hot meal waiting made for us by a cook Father Dan Gee hired. Generally, we ate beans and rice or rice and beans. When we asked people what they ate, they had limited access to rice, no fruit but mostly beans and corn. No milk or dairy products and limited meat of goat or chicken on special occasions. There is no obesity in Banica. Everyone is lean.

Our team members are very flexible. Patti does all our blood pressure work and she has never done this before. David draws the blood and has been taught how to test blood for HIV, malaria, and hepatitis. He is a great blood technician; we have on the job training. Bernie is the Pharmacist and dispenses all the medications each day. Every-one pitches in and does what needs to be done. We pack the truck with medical supplies. Usually, five per-sons sit in the truck and four in the back. Normally, it takes us one hour to get to our destination, usually about 15 miles; but, because of the terrible roads it takes a longer time. Father Gee sends one of his helpers with us to drive the truck. Fortunately, there is a radio in the truck so we can call for help, when needed. Truck tires take a beating because of the roads. One day coming home from a clinic, we had a flat tire. There was no spare; thus, we had to wait for a truck from Banica to come with a tire. It was a very hot day. We had no lunch and no water. After a call for help, we arrive back home safely.

On yet another occasion, as we were setting up our clinic a dad carried his 16 year old boy in to see us asking for help. He had fallen off a truck and broke his leg one week before and was not able to bear weight on it. His dad took him to the ER in Banica. He was told he needed an X-ray and a cast was needed to put on his leg. But, the ER in Banica told the dad that they could not do it because they had neither an X-Ray nor a cast. The father was told to go to the capital; but, he had no transportation to get him there. The people walk wherever they go. The team had a splint in one of the emergency bags. The leg was stabilized and he was given pain medication. Ar-rangements were made with Father Gee to provide transportation to the capital and money for the X-Ray and cast; a happy ending.

The mission of our clinic is to dispense vitamins, fluoride, and give worm medication. There is no electricity in the small villages. Water supply is from the streams or river-dirty water; a source of many infections. The water we use for bathing comes from the river and is piped to a cistern in the center where we stay. The water runs yellow brown.

All the drinking water is filtered or bottled. We wash our laundry in buckets and hang it to dry in the sun. Wherever one goes, there are goats, lots of goats, and healthy young baby goats. They are called St. John the Evangelist goats. The people raise them and then sell them in the market to purchase essentials like, rice, sugar, salt, etc. Last year St. John's purchased 98 goats during Advent. They were given to needy families. We are grateful to St. John's for their continued support; and, our return to the States was a safe one.
Deacon Bernie and Peggy Ragan

Farewell to Fr. Posey
Welcome Fr. Gee

Banica sent home Fr. Patrick Posey whom we have worked with for many years. He is Pastor of St. Francis de Sales in Purcellville, VA. Many of the people of Banica did not want him to leave because he did a great job. After eight years of service to the people of Banica and the Diocese of Arlington, VA, he will be missed by many.

Fr. Dan Gee is the new Pastor of the Banica Mission. With the transition of Pastors, and with all the energy that Fr. Gee has the people of Banica, Dominican Republic have nothing to fear. Medical Missionaries look forward to working with a new Pastor and we wish both Fr. Posey and Fr. Gee the very best.
Gilbert R. Irwin, MD

Medical Missionaries Jan 2004
Surgical Mission Trip Banica,
Dominican Republic

The team consisted of Mark Bartolozzi (general surgeon), Chris Highfill (orthopedic surgeon), Margot Watson (obstetrician-gynecologist), Jim Sehn (urologist), Alla Druker (anesthesiologist), Ed Lawson (nurse anesthetist), Debra Parrish, RN, Margaret Rau, RN, Maria Borowicz, RN, Diane Lawson, RN, and Leo Druker, EMT.

Debra, Margaret, and Maria are magnificent OR nurses - they circulated or scrubbed all the cases we did during the week. Diane assisted in preparing patients for the operating room and caring for them after their operations were completed. Leo was our general duty technician who cleaned instruments between cases, assisted in moving patients, and whatever else was asked of him. The surgeons and anesthesia team performed admirably in less than ideal conditions providing needed operations in a safe and effective manner.

Also, we had the superb services of Annie Quast, RN, a nurse practitioner who is currently serving the Banica parish as a volunteer. She helped screen patients, and her ability to speak Spanish was invaluable. In addition, Jeremy Mercier traveled from Hinche, Haiti, to serve with us during the week. Many of our patients were Haitian, and Jeremy's translations were of tremen-dous value in screening them as surgi-cal candidates, and in caring for them post-operatively.

The team was also accompanied by two engineers, Ron Burrell and Dave Eisel. Although not essential to the surgical mission, per se, they were invaluable in making and keeping our living quarters habitable and were busy with projects for the parish during the week.

Fifty seven patients were served during this trip, and over seventy five procedures were performed. As during the last trip, the majority of patients had hernias, hydroceles, or lumps and bumps that required attention. Three major procedures (two hysterectomies and an ovarian cystectomy) were done. All of the procedures were performed using local or regional anesthesia. Sedative medication was available, and was used for some of the cases. There was more medication for post-operative pain control available to us this trip because we brought it with us.

As previously mentioned, most of our patients were Haitian. Many of them traveled hours or days overland using foot, donkey, or wheeled conveyance to make their way to Banica. Let me share with you information about several of our patients.

One patient was a young Haitian woman who had a tumor on the top of her foot. She traveled on a donkey to get to the river that separates Haiti from Banica. There, she placed her foot in a bag and waded across the river. She walked another mile or so to get to the hospital where we were able to remove most of the tumor. Being partially disabled from the operation, she required transportation of some sort across the river on her way home. The surgical team took up a collection in order to pay a man to carry her back across the river.

The last day we were there, we oper-ated on a 65 year old Haitian man and removed a hydrocele he had had for several years. This gentleman also suffered from a fused knee joint that occurred after an accident some years ago that fractured his thigh bone so that the bone pierced the thigh as well. You can imagine this man's discomfort from his unusual gait and the hydrocele with walking, but then imagine that his sole means of transportation was on his donkey.

Finally, let me share with you a story about a youngster whom we met there by the name of Dionisio. We came to know him as "William." William is six years old. One day, as we were passing out lollipops to him and some other children, someone happened to place a hand on his chest. A very loud heart murmur could be felt through his chest wall (this is called a thrill - only the most severe murmurs which normally are heard can be felt in this fashion). As it turns out, William is small for his age, and cannot partici-pate in activities as a normal six year old boy could.

William & Debra
As of this writing, William has had an echocardiogram performed in Santo Domingo. There is an effort underway to have William brought to the US where he can have corrective surgery performed. Interested in helping this effort? Please contact Debra Parrish at 703-369-6688.

As you can see from these three examples, the people of Banica and the Haitians that live close by are in need of the fairly basic surgical services we provided for them. With the limited resources available to us, we were able to care for a significant number of people. Members of the surgical team donate their time freely. It is hard work, but quite rewarding.

The third Medical Missionaries Surgical Mission Trip ended when the team departed Banica, DR, for the return trip home on 16 January 2004.
Ed Lawson

Attention - Donor Needed
A leg will do! We have received a request for a "left leg" prosthesis from a Friar in the Amazons. He has requested the prosthesis via Ana Maria Menezes (Proverb30_5@hotmail.com), a very dedicated Medical Missionaries' clothing donor for the past several years, from Dunn Loring, VA (703)641-0147
Any knowledge of potential donors or leads to one should be provided to the Medical Missionaries 703 361-5116 or to Ana directly.

Medical Missionaries
and Caring & Sharing
Caring & Sharing is a local organization run by Sanford Blankenship and volunteers who help the needy in the Appalachian areas of Virginia and West Virginia. Medical Missionaries has had the pleasure of assisting them on numerous occasions by providing seasonal clothing and other useful items. When it's time to do a load for Appalachia, the group arrives with their 26-foot truck and together with Dr. Irwin, Carolyn Jeans, Betty Lear, Susie Cornell, and whoever else is volunteering get the work done. The truck is filled in about an hour - even after dark, with only a flashlight or two to light the way!

Medical Missionaries has provided tons of clothing and supplies in the year and a half that we have been working with Caring & Sharing. Unlike Haiti and Jamaica which only need summer items, the Appalachian areas need provisions for all four seasons. Due to the generosity of our commu-nity we seem to always have enough to go around and have been especially fortunate this winter to have an abun-dance of warm clothing and bedding for our needy friends.

Also, we give to the group baby items and any wedding dresses, gowns, and party attire which are donated to us. Mr. Blankenship has told us that the ladies are absolutely delighted to re-ceive them and he was quite proud that last year all the young ladies were able to dress up for their high school prom!

Caring & Sharing is a wonderful organization and we look forward to our continued combined efforts to help those who are so needy, so close to home.
Susan Cornell

Medical Trip to Haiti
Dec 11 through 19, 2003

The second medical trip to Haiti, in December 2003, consisted of Dr. Kornetsky, nurses Janice Pence and Cheri Stribling, Annie Quast, a nurse practitioner and Christina Cox, Craig Flanagan, Ron Burrell, Dr. Moira Hurley and me. Janice and Cheri work at the dialysis facility in Warrenton. Christina Cox works as a scribe at the Fairfax emergency room and plans to go to medical school. Annie, who has been working in Banica, joined us in Haiti for much of the trip.

One teenaged boy's life was radically changed by our presence. He saw my wife, Moira Hurley, MD, for a severe vision threatening eye infection. After a few days of antibiotic drops, he re-turned accompanying his father with the infection cleared. The father, who was coming for an unrelated medical problem, was blind himself. We in-quired why through our translators, and were informed that he also had a similar but untreated bacterial eye infection when he was a teenager, causing per-manent blindness. His son's sight was preserved, and we are optimistic that his life will be radically different from what must have been an extraordinarily difficult paternal disability in a country where life is unimaginable difficult even for the sighted.

One highlight of the trip was seeing baby Helen, 14 months old, and her mother. Helen is now 21 lbs., walks, has started to talk, and is normal. The story of her difficult delivery and resuscitation has been recounted in the November 2002 issue of this newsletter. We were gratified to see that she had survived through the first year of life in Haiti, with all the life threatening infectious diseases which exact such a enormous toll in infancy.

After seeing approximately 1,000+ patients for five full days, Fr. Ronnell successfully negotiated the awful roads back to the Arlington Diocese Mission, Banica, Dominical Republic, in the parish Land Rover. After a brief meeting with Fr. Gee, we headed to Santo Domingo for our flight back to Virginia. We had heard rumbling of rapidly deteriorating political unrest during our visit, and dangerous instability and violence have returned to Haiti since our departure. Let us all pray for a peaceful diplomatic solution so we can resume our direct care efforts in 2004.
William J. McAveney, MD

Treating Hypertension
in Rural Haiti and the
Dominican Republic

This is an update on a project begun in October 2003. It has been a consistent observation that hypertension is severely common in rural Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
On the October trip, about 100 patients with blood pressures 180/110 or greater were started on medications and given enough medication to last until the trip in December. Patients were identified by name and were assigned a number and were given follow-up appointment cards. In December there was about 50% follow-up, and about 70 new patients were enrolled as well. Enough medication was given to last until a planned February trip.

Currently, medication refills are in the Dominican Republic and Anna Quast will be returning to Thomas-sique/Circalasouse to do blood pres-sure checks and medication adjustments when the political situa-tion stabilizes. We are planning a fol-low-up trip for the end of May.

It's too early to draw any conclusions, but I have the following impressions
1. A reasonable number of pa-tients have followed up on their treatment.
2. Medication education is needed. I believe the patients take more than the prescribed amount, and also share it with their families.
3. Some of the capsules do not withstand the heat and melt.
4. Hopefully, more details about efficacy and side effects will be available in future months.

Ken Kornetsky, MD

Medical Missionaries, Inc.
4th Annual Golf Tournament
Thursday, September 9, 2004
Fairfax National Golf Club
Centreville, Virginia

** Calling all Golfers - You are in-vited to come and play. Get your teams together! Have fun golfing and help the Medical Missionaries, a non-profit organization, to provide medical healthcare to the world's Poorest of the Poor.

** To play and or sponsor (donate), please call Shirley Armel at 703-361-6480.

Our major task was to install a battery bank of 10 deep cycle 6-volt batteries and a 2-KVA inverter in the Thomassique rectory. The 7.5-KVA diesel which had been installed in October provides the power to recharge the batteries when it is running and the battery power is converted to AC by the inverter for night time or early morning power in the sleeping quar-ters. We could not install the solar panels because the church roof is not complete yet.
With Craig's nimble climbing skills, we were able to fix several wiring problems in the rafters from the previ-ous Haitian system. We now have light in the bathroom and a circuit for backup operations of the gas refrigerator.

We completed wiring of the parish hall, which included three new lights and seven new 115v receptacles. Since there is no electrical power in the school, we will install a few of the donated computers in this hall in the future for student use.

Dave Eisel accompanied me in January in support of the surgical team. Again, we were there primarily to ensure the team had adequate facilities (water and power). We became experts in unclogging toilets and oiling squeaky doors.

The sea containers had arrived in Banica a couple of days prior to our arrival and thanks to Fr. Gee and the boys, had been unloaded to the pavilion. Some lumber, metal channels, nuts and bolts were sent in hopes of being able to design and construct some kind of rack for the trucks. Our teams that go out into the Composts often have to ride in the back with nothing to hang onto except the truck bed. Dave and I decided to start with the red truck (the oldest and most beat up one of 4) for our prototype. After a couple of days of on and off availability (these trucks get a lot of use) we had what we considered a very sturdy rack. We had some good pictures of it on completion, but below is the latest one taken about a month later. It was copied from Fr. Gee's website "http://frgee.blogspot.com/." It was taken after an accident from which the driver and three passengers walked away uninjured. The brakes failed (the steering was already bad) and the truck rolled. The rack may have helped save them from injury.

With the aid of the 12-foot stepladder sent in the November container, Dave and I were able to fix the lighting in the Pedro Santana church (a short in one of the 16-foot high lights). Lastly, we ran a new circuit from one of the Banica rectory inverters to the church
Mission red truck with prototype rack. Hint - All 4 mission trucks need new tires.

Microphone system.
The Banica Utility power is very erratic (when operating) and Fr. Gee had to continuously adjust the microphone to compensate for the voltage fluctuation.

The last excursion was very short (5 days total with 2 being travel days). The crew consisted of Tim Smith, Jeff Vallimont, Chris and Zachary Quin-tana and me. Our first anticipated ob-stacle was getting through Customs with a cooler full of hepatitis vaccine, and several suitcases with medicines, tools and computer peripherals. Sur-prisingly, we had little problem. The inspector had trouble unzipping a cou-ple of our old bags. Upon offering him help, he decided it was too much trouble and let us go through (this was the fastest exit through Customs that I recall in the last 5 years.

Fr. Gee had two trucks waiting for us with drivers Claudio and Lulum at the wheels. After a "white-knuckle" ride we arrived in Banica some 5 hours later. Fr. Gee had instructed the boys on the layout of our new storage shed and they had dug all the footer (16 1'x1'x2') holes. Thank God!! All 5 of us along with several of the mission boys got a chance to participate in the cement mixing, beam setting, joist placement and rising of the rafters, but our construction expert, Tim & Jeff along with "Master Roofer," Fr. Gee, did the majority of the construction. On the third day, an early morning Mass was planned at El Centro in order that the roofing could be laid prior to the mid-day sun. God knows our need, provided one of Banica's famous fall afternoon showers so we had an over-cast cool day to begin the roofing. When completed the siding we will have a 40'x 20' by 10' high area to stage parts for distribution to the Banica Mission as well as the Thomassique clinic.

Banica Construction

Chris, the tile expert, did a masterful job on the rectory kitchen counter and doorway. Gladys, Fr. Gee's cook, was caught smiling like a Cheshire cat. He also tiled the Banica convent shower. It is now probably the best looking shower in the Dominican Republic. Annie Quest, a dedicated young care-giver from Charlottesville, VA, has been living in the convent at least since early October. She has assisted all our teams and has been back and forth to Haiti on several occasions. She also is the brave soul who took young William into Santo Domingo for his heart problem evaluation. I'm not sure how much longer she will be in Banica, but from now on she can shower with a pleasant atmosphere even though the water will still be cold.

Zach helped all over with building, tiling, painting and electrical wiring. He and I ran a new circuit to the rectory kitchen/dining area for new appliances; microwave, toaster oven, refrigerator and bottled water pump (provides clean water om refrigerator icemaker/chilled water dispenser). We also ran a new circuit to a small pavil-ion at the convent.

Our reward was a charcoal BBQ hosted by Annie at the pavilion with music provided by the Quintana broth-ers and, who else, but Fr. Gee. This was the first trip with the Medical Mis-sionaries for this crew, but we thank them for giving up their vacation time and their families for this week. We certainly would welcome them back anytime in the future. Also, a gracious "Thank You" goes to Cindy Curran, Carolyn Lenk and the Manassas Knights of Columbus (KC) who ar-ranged this trip and paid the airplane fares, respectively.

We did not cross the border into Haiti during this trip, but did receive reports on the political unrest. Fr. Ronel came to Banica the day after the Rebels had taken over Hinch, the largest city in Eastern Haiti and less than 20 miles from Thomassique. He had been there and indicated that he did not feel that they posed a problem to the average citizen.

A very crowded early-morning ride from Banica in one of Fr. Gee's trucks with 2 nuns from Pedro Santana, a Haitian woman and our driver got us to the airport about 5 hours early for our return flight.
Ron Burrell

Missionary Success Stories and
Urgent Needs

Our Medical Missionaries Newsletter mailing list has grown from our initial 400 to our current 1700 people. The Newsletter is published about every four months. The attempt is to make and keep the inputs to those that directly highlight our work both medically professional as well as engineering support, a most important commitment. Those poor and absolutely in dire need of help are where we place our full commitment. Our founder and president, as well as all the volunteers have devoted their full time and total efforts to focusing on saving lives, extending lives and making it possible for those people that desperately need help to live their lives as comfortably as possible in their environment. The help given is totally FREE because they have no way to afford healthcare. Thus, your support, however, large or small is graciously accepted and appreciated.

It is our goal to have you read our newsletter knowing that at times your time and commitment is limited. We would like to draw your attention to the various success stories that have come out of these eight years of helping the Poorest of the Poor. Our president tries to summaries what these accomplishments are or have been. If you noticed, St. Johns of Warrenton, one of our sister medical missionaries, wrote an interesting column on the challenges of working in the field. The story of the 16 yr old boy who broke his leg and his dad carried him to the clinic where they were working was an interesting success story, this can be found on page 3. Our Medical Missionary surgical team, on its January 2004 visit, written by Ed Lawson, talks about three success stories. They tell of the young Haitian woman they helped that had a tumor on her foot, a 65 year old Haitian man who had a hydrocele removed & other complications of the knee and hip, and finally, the story of William who needs corrective surgery. These are highlighted on page 4. Finally, our second medical trip to Haiti in mid December 2003 in which was mentioned two success stories; i.e., the teen age boy with a severe vision threatening eye infection who was brought to the clinic by his blind father. The boy's vision will spare him from blindness, unlike his father who if he had received treatment would possibly be able to see today. The 2nd part of their success story mentions how baby Helen is progressing today 14 months after delivery. Without the care of these 3 and other doctors she would probably not be with us today. These two specific cases can be found on page 5. We invite you to see and read of these successes. This is directly where your monetary support goes and why we ask your help. Thank you.
Editor

Help support our Dinner Dance and Auction at Heritage Hunt Golf and Country Club, Saturday, May 15, 2004.
You Are Invited . . .

On Saturday May 15th, 2004, the Medical Missionaries invite you to come and enjoy a wonderful evening of dinner and dancing, blended in with a silent and live auction. Live music by Signature can be heard throughout the evening. Black tie is optional.

The event will be held at the Heritage Hunt Golf and Country Club in Gainesville, Virginia. Doors open at 6:30 PM with hors d'oeuvres and a Cash Bar with an opportunity to view and bid on our silent auction items which will consist of some very fine gifts generously donated by friends of the Medical Missionaries.

Individual tickets can be purchased at $40.00. Tables of eight (8) can be re-served in advance. For the auction, you will receive your bid number at the door. Master Card and Visa will be accepted for bidding.

We would love to have you come and celebrate with us Tickets for the gala occasion may be obtained by calling Shirley (703) 361-5116; Eileen (540) 347-1597, Mary (703) 361-6843, and Mary Ellen (703) 368-4930.

We ask for your support for this fund raiser. We hope to raise much needed monies to support the Free Healthcare provided to those who truly need it. The medical and other skilled profes-sionals and the many volunteers of the Medical Missionaries continue trying to help those in need and the Poorest of the Poor in this and the Third World. Our only hope and theirs depend on your continued generous support.

See ad on back page

Editors and
Eileen Drinkwater

Dinner/Dance and Auctions
May 15th, 2004

A full page Auction Donation/Advertising Sponsorship Form is incorporated in this issue, page 9. We ask your support in being an advertiser. If you are not an advertiser but can help provide ads by asking those in business to advertise, this would be most helpful. If you can provide items for our Auction, silent and live be they new or antique, they would be most welcomed. Finally, show your support by being a Patron. This is a great way to support Medical Missionaries. Pro-vide your name(s), friends, relatives etc, with a $10.00 donation for each name. Mr. & Mrs. or a family name is considered as one Patron. Just fill out the form, enclose your donation and simply mark Dinner Dance on the en-velope provided.

What am I bid?

Gone! Gone! Sold!

Should you have items for the auction to be picked up or delivered, please give a call to (703) 361-5116 or (703) 368-4930. A volunteer will be delighted to pick up the item. Many hands make light work is an old phrase used frequently. Your help in this ef-fort can ease the burden and is most appreciated. We thank you.

Editors and
Eileen Drinkwater

Holiday 2003 Raffle Winners

The last raffle held by Medical Missionaries was Dec 22nd. The following were the winners and prizes awarded:

1st Prize Nativity Set -Elsie Sullivan
2nd Prize Afghan - Dr. Bill McAveney
3rd Prize 6 Passes Manassas Cinemas- Susan Campbell
4th Prize $25.00 Gift Certificate - Shannon Scarratt
5th Prize Golf Fun Pkg - Paula Hawkins
6th Prize $20.00 Gift Certificates Marie O'Brien
7th Prize $20.00 Gift Certificate -
Java Rock - B Minus

8th Prize Oriental Lunch Buffet for 2 - Warrenton - Addie Morgan
9th Prize 3 Month Membership Olympus Gym - Alice Cox
10th Prize Hand Crafted Pottery Dish - Christine Geene

We thank you for your participation and support of our medical mission work.

Wilderness Course
Medical Missionaries will hold a wilderness/survival course April 3-4, 2004 for perspective volunteers who have little outdoor skills. The course is de-signed to increase the confidence of a new volunteer in a wilderness setting and thus be more effective in a medical mission.
Gilbert R. Irwin, MD

Medical Missionaries
Striving To Help
The Poorest of the Poor

Summer 2004

MEDICAL MISSIONARIES NEWSLETTER
Issue No. 10 Summer 2004
**********************************************************************************************************
President's Message

There is always something going on with Medical Missionary people of all faiths striving to help the poorest of the poor.

Staff House
Medical Missionaries has seen major advancement in the construction project in Thomassique, Haiti. The clinic staff house is now under roof and preparations are being made, under the direction of Ron Burrell, for a crew to install diesel generators and backup solar panel systems for power for the complex. This operation takes coordination with volunteers here as well as in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. With your continued support and prayers, the total complex could be operational in one year or less.

Medical Missionaries continues to support clinics in Africa, Vietnam, Central and South America with shipments of supplies and medicines for poor areas. Preparations are in process for a major shipment of medical supplies to Ebonyi State, Nigeria one of the poorest areas in their country.

On the domestic front, several large 18 wheelers loads of clothing and household goods were sent to West Virginia/Kentucky/Virginia border in connection with Caring and Sharing and Christian Appalachians Project, two non-profit groups working in the area. The clothing happened to get to the areas only a few days before heavy rains hit creating a major disaster for many families with the loss of many homes. (See article by Susie Cornell who coordinated these efforts for Medical Mis-sionaries.)

As a volunteer highlight, Betty Lear, a volunteer at Linton Hall storage facility on a daily basis, has made a major difference in clothing pick up, packaging, and in organizing incoming medical supplies. She is a most diligent, responsible worker and her value is greatly appreciated by Medical Missionaries and the people we serve.

The first Caring Hearts Ball under the direction of Eileen Drinkwater was a success raising over $38,000 for Medical Missionaries projects. All the participants had a great time dancing to Mike Morch's band, Signature, and Tom Drinkwater, the Master of Ceremonies kept the auction going in a timely fashion. Thanks to all who worked so hard on the event including Mary Ellen Merchant, Jean Deller, Carolyn Jeans, Jack Phalen, Vene Rodriguez, Stan and Mary Sobczynski.

Medical Missionaries is still very much in need of ground level storage space. If anyone has an old garage, barn, or old spacious building not being used, we could use it for long term storage. Also, should anyone have a piece of land that they are willing to donate or provide, we could use it to build a simple, cost effective building such as a Poll barn. Please call 703-361-5116 and we will be happy to speak with you.

The golf tournament is set for September 9, 2004 at Fairfax National Golf Club under the direction of Shirley Armel. This event is our last major fund raiser for 2004 and hopefully will generate additional resources for the final phase for the clinic construction in Haiti. Your help is needed. (See flyer and article by Shirley.)

Gilbert Irwin, MD

A Tough Break in Haiti

In Haiti it takes 10-15 minutes to cover a mile of terrain, and that's driving a Defender on dry land. Following an afternoon shower in the rainy season, it could take a great deal longer to navigate through those same dirt paths, the crater-like ruts now filled with 3 or more feet of water. But for a team of six physically and mentally exhausted volunteers, to even think of not pressing east to the Dominican/Haitian boarder would have been an equally formidable task.

As we drove on, the now-spent rain clouds continued to loom over our heads. In conjunction with the late hour, they made the terrain completely pitch-black, forcing us to rely on the Defender's two halogen headlamps as our sole source of light. From my vantage point in the rear seat, the road seemed to shine with a layer of fresh mud. Of course, we were all acutely aware of the state of the road, not so much by the visual cue, but by our consistent lateral movement as the vehicle trudged forward. Flanked on either side by 10-foot high dirt banks adorned with impenetrable cacti, I felt relatively safe as I mentally compared this terrain to the sheer mountainside that awaited a few miles ahead. Lucky for us, we never made it that far.

The Defender had been wedged, length-wise, in between the two aforementioned banks for 15 minutes when we first spotted her. She emerged out of the road's darkness and carried under her arm a long, shiny umbrella. As my eyes adjusted to the night I turned my head forward and focused atop the northern bank, where six men now stood peering down upon us. Approaching from the west was another group of men carrying handmade hoes and spades. To our rear, the same scene. I exhaled a sigh of contrived nonchalance and thought, "We're surrounded."

As the woman approached our truck, she walked in front of our headlights. "Oh. It's a machete," I heard Ken say from the front seat as the umbrella revealed its true identity under the improved lighting. We watched as she stopped in front of the truck and rose the blade above her head, the hardened expression on her face never changing.

The first thrust tore into the ground, as did the second - she was digging a rut to set us free. The approaching group of local farmers quickly followed suit with their tools as the children on the banks watched in wonderment. It's not common for these folks to be awakened by a $40,000 truck stuck in their road carrying Americans and a Priest. What was indeed common was their cordial, selfless, and humble attitude as they handled the situation with ease. Working quickly, the farmers dug a rut for each of the rear wheels and filled the grooves with the relatively dry dirt from the nearby banks. Each person wanted to help, if only to lend a strike or two with their hoe. Within 30 minutes, the farmers had applied their ingenious fix, and we were able to dislodge the Defender and return to the town we had left just an hour ago. We would save the final leg of the journey for the morning.

In retrospect, that night brought to light two important facts. First, you can't always get what you want when Mother Nature is involved, especially in Haiti. And second, when nature - or life in general - doles out a tough break, you figure out what you've got that still works and press on. That's what the Haitians are so good at doing. One would think that with no money, little food, dirty water, and marginal medical care, these people would exist in a state of perpetual misery. They may indeed, but they don't let it show. In spite of their incredible hardships, the adults and children still have a great sense of pride. It is from this pride, I believe, that their sense of duty, their strong work ethic, and their unparalleled resourcefulness effuse. The farmers coming to our aid on the road that night were an undeniable demonstration of human compas-sion. It was, simultaneously, an unabashed manifestation of the Haitian mentality: resilience in the face of adversity.
Doug Taylor

Warren and Anne Carroll
Seton School Founders Receive The Brent Society Award

Dr. and Mrs. Warren and Anne Carroll were honored by the Brent Society on May 13th this year at the Annual Awards Banquet at the Fairview Marriott in Falls Church, VA.
Dr. Warren Carroll is the founder and first president of Christendom College in Front Royal, and his wife, Anne W. Carroll, is the founder and first principal of Seton School in Manassas, Va. They received their awards from Kathleen Hunt the Brent Society President. Both Seton and Christendom have produced an abundance of religious vocations and strong Catholic marriages.

Funds were very limited and lean, but Anne Carroll's faith inspired her to start the Christian Commonwealth School in Warrenton, Virginia, with just eight students. In 1975 enrollment doubled and Anne moved the school to Manassas, Virginia, because most of the students came from Manassas. Seton's enrollment today is 350.

The Carroll's and Seton have been most instrumental in providing services to the Medical Missionaries. Their students have provided much needed help in packing many sea containers for ship-ment to Banica, Dominican Republic and Thomassique, Haiti. Also, they have been very instrumental in providing many healthcare items i.e., soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes and more.

Students from both Seton and Christendom have gone on trips to Haiti and the Dominican Republic to assist the doctors and nurses in providing much needed healthcare to the people of the area, the Poorest of the Poor.

Eight members of the Medical Missionaries attended the Awards banquet to honor the Carroll's. Their road has been rough but they persevered and brought the finest in Catholic education to Northern Virginia.

Newsletter Staff

Dinner/Dance and Auction
May 15th 2004

On Saturday, May 15th, 2004, the Medical Missionaries held their 1st Annual Dinner Dance at Heritage Hunt Golf and Country Club, in Gainesville, Virginia. The event was very successful raising, upwards of $38,000.00.

We express our appreciation to the staff and management of Heritage Hunt for their support of this event.

Silent Auction Display

The evening began with a Silent Auction, hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. Din-ner and a Live Auction followed. A raffle of a Nativity set made and donated by Mrs. Pat Irwin was held followed by a 50-50 raffle. The evening ended with dancing. Dr. Mike Morch, one of the Medical Missionaries' dentists, and his band Signature, provided the music.

A program book was done in conjunction with the Dinner Dance and Auction. We thank all those who provided Ads and monetary donations to help the event to be so successful. We ask you to support our business donors. If anyone would like a Program Book, you may receive a copy by calling Shirley in Dr. Irwin's office, (703) 361-5116. We will be happy to provide a book to you.

The Medical Missionaries appreciates and thanks everyone for their support of this event.
Eileen Drinkwater

Medical Missionaries needs Your Support !!!
In Memoriam
Roy Cioletti, MD, FAAP

With the greatest sadness, Medical Missionaries reports the untimely death of Dr. Cioletti on June 5, 2004. He was a highly respected pediatrician in Manassas for 26 years, and past president of the Prince William Hospital Staff. In spite of the demand of his busy practice at Crestwood Pediatrics, he found time to support Medical Missionaries and participated as a physician member of our October, 2003 clinical trip to Haiti. He will be sorely missed by all of us at Medical Missionaries as well as the thousands of families whom he served as a conscientious and knowledgeable pediatrician. He is survived by his wife Debbie and two sons, Paul and Matthew.

William J. McAveney, MD

Medical Experiences
in the Lakota Nation

When I accepted an early retirement package from Kaiser Permanente three years ago, I began to look for service opportunities, eventually meeting Dr. Irwin and participating in Medical Missions to Hispaniola. But, I also explored opportunities with the American Medical Association program known as project USA, which places about 170 physicians annually for short term assignments with the Indian Health Service (IHS) in Native American Communities throughout the US. Since March 2002, I have had an opportunity to serve the children of the Lakota Nation in Eagle Butte, SD during three tours of duty, the last of which I completed on June 4, 2004.

Following the defeat of the US Army by the well know Sioux Chiefs Red Cloud and Crazy Horse in April, 1868, the Great Sioux Nation was established through the Treaty of Laramie, WY, comprising most of the Dakotas, and large portions of modern day Nebraska, Wyoming and Montana. The land grants shrunk and shrunk in size over the succeeding years, and eventually multiple reservations were established, where Native Americans were (usually forcibly) relocated. One of these was the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation, established in 1889, in North Central South Dakota. The original tribal leaders participated in the Ghost Dance Movement of 1890, along with Sitting Bull. He was killed locally, and the rest of the leaders fled to Wounded Knee, SD, on the Pine Ridge Reservation. There, most of them perished in the massacre of December 29, 1890. From what I can tell, there was little or no succeeding tribal leadership until a constitution was enacted in 1936. The land was originally the size of Connecticut, but has been further eroded by Homesteading and the construction of a huge dam of the Missouri River north of the State Capitol, Pierre. This led to relocation of many Native Americans further west into arid lands. At the center of this bleak area is the town of Eagle Butte, where tribal headquarters and a Indian Health Service Hospital were established in 1959. The facility is basically unchanged, grossly lacking in space, especially for outpatient care, and in deteriorated condition.

To give a little perspective, things ARE infinitely better than Haiti. The facility does provide good nursing support, lab, plain X-ray, plus pharmaceuticals, and we are attempting to achieve a US standard of Medical care. The logistics of doing this on a sparsely settled remote reservation, serving 14,000 Native American patients with an extremely high disease burden are challenging, to say the least. There are a few beds available in the Eagle Butte facility for the least complicated cases, but patients requiring inpatient care must be sent to the nearest small Community Hospital 90 miles away in Pierre, SD, or, more commonly, to the nearest full service Hospital in Rapid City, SD, 200 miles away. The transportation challenges are enormous, particularly during the harsh Dakota winters, and the patients often critically ill.

The pediatric patients I saw had a very high incidence of asthma, aggravated by both indoor and outdoor pollution, recurrent ear infections often with hearing loss already established, and every common infectious disease in the standard pediatric texts. In additions, the incidence of Type II diabetes, rampant in the adult population is increasing enormously in children and adolescents as well. The internal medicine patients have the same distribution of disease as was found at the old DC General, with charts inches thick and multiple chronic conditions, aggravated by widespread alcohol and tobacco addition. The waiting rooms are full, and long waits for care are common due to a gross un-dersupply of exam rooms in the obsolete facility exacerbated by intermittent staff shortages.

Dr. William McAveney &
Mr. Ilhami Konur

It was my privilege this year to go to SD at the same time as Ilhami and Anne Konur, members of the Hamilton, Virginia Baptist Church, whom I met through our Leesburg Rotary Club. Unknown to me until recently, Hamilton Baptist has had a five year ongoing mission commitment to the Eagle Butte Baptist Church. The Konurs actively worked through their contacts in the community, and referred many patients to me and the other physicians/midlevel at the IHS facility. Their presence also provided interesting, upbeat, off-time company for me in a somewhat de-pressing setting, as well as financial support for incidental expenses through the church's Mission Funding.

Native America is a domestic Haiti, and the opportunities for service by physicians and other health care professionals are enormous. If readers are interested in more information, feel free to contact me at mcavenwj@yahoo.com. Medical Missionaries has made shipments of clothing, sports items and educational supplies to the Lakota, Sioux.

William J. McAveney, MD

Fourth Annual Golf Tournament

Thursday, September 9, 2004
Fairfax National Golf Club
Centreville, Virginia

A Word from the Tournament Chair

Dear Friends,

I would like to invite you to join me in supporting Medical Missionaries in the Fourth Annual Golf Tournament.

Medical Missionaries is a group of health professionals and lay volunteers, who have organized to help the Poorest of the Poor in the world. We are an ecumenical group who serve all the poor regardless of age, religion or political affiliation.

To play and or sponsor (donate), please call Shirley Armel at 703-361-6480. Please see full page flyer in this news-letter.

I hope you will join us in supporting our cause. Your generosity is needed and appreciated.
Shirley Armel

Medical Missionaries
Striving To Help
The Poorest of the Poor
Medical Missionaries
Continues to help the needy
of Appalachia

It may be hot and humid now, but in just a few more months that autumn chill will be in the air again and there will be lots of warm clothing already in place and ready for distribution to our needy friends in Appalachia.

A few months ago we had a little challenge…our winter clothing trailer was full, more winter clothing was coming in every week, and not too many people were interested in winter clothing in May. Soooooo, via the Internet, we discovered the Christian Appalachian Project which is located in Kentucky and serves the needy throughout all 13 Appalachian states. After a few phone calls we set up a date and they dispatched one of their really big Operation Sharing trucks. Our usual crew of volunteers completely emptied the winter storage trailer and partially emptied the summer trailer, filling Operation Sharing's truck with an estimated 20 thousand pounds of clothing which was transported to their Hagerhill Ware-house for distribution this fall and win-ter.

A great big Thank You goes out to the Christian Appalachian Project for the wonderful work they are doing and to all the Medical Missionary volunteers who make these worthwhile endeavors possible.

Susan Cornell

Medical Missionaries Handbook

A short handbook entitled "Learning Your Reality - A Guide to Volunteering for a Medical Mission", describes in stepwise fashion the mechanics of planning a trip, organization of supplies, medicines and long term continuity of a medical mission program. Copies can be purchased or ordered at 9590 Surveyor Court, Manassas, VA. 20110. The cost is $10.00 + $2.00 for handling and shipping. Make checks payable to Medical Missionaries.

Gilbert Irwin, MD

Clinic Staff House Construction
Thomassique, Haiti

The clinic staff house in Thomassique is well underway in construction. The outer shell has been completed and the work commences on the inside to complete the work. However, funds to do it are needed to keep its construction on a timely schedule. In our semi-annual meeting of the entire Medical Missionaries team in July 2004 a review was made of all the needs and several high costing items appear to be in need of funds. The items on the wish list included:

Solar panels @ approximately $600 ea $15,000.00
Generator 9.000.00
Chlorinator 2,500.00
Two trucks $15,000.00

This does not include extra tires and batteries for replacement due to rugged terrain.

Although the Group has conducted various fund raisers, the needs still remain outstanding. Anyone who would want to contribute or donate extra funds; towards this need, the Medical Missionaries would be most grateful. Once these are completely funded, we can begin to think and start on the construction of the 125-bed clinic itself. Whatever you do - God bless you.

This newsletter is published by Medical Missionaries Inc.
Manassas, VA.

Executive Director: Gilbert R. Irwin, MD

Newsletter Staff:
Mary & Stan Sobczynski
Board Members
Other Volunteers