NEWSLETTERS
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August 2007
Issue No. 18, August 2007
MEDICAL MISSIONARIES, INC.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
UPCOMING EVENTS:
• September 29 & 30 2007- Medical Missionaries “Educational Seminar”
• September 29, 2007 “It Takes 2 to Tangle” benefit performance for Medical Missionaries. See pg. 7 and flyer for details.
• April 19, 2008-Caring Hearts Ball V at Fox Chase Manor, Manassas, VA
• Golf Tournament postponed until Spring 2008
Message from the President
Gilbert R. Irwin, MD
Medical Missionaries celebrated the ten year anniversary at the Caring Hearts Ball on April 28, 2007. With more than three hundred supporters in attendance enjoyed an evening of live/silent auctions, dinner and dancing. A great time was had by all. This year over $40,000.00 was raised. A special “thank you” is extended to Mrs. Mary Ellen Merchant who coordinated the evenings activities and her volunteers who volunteered hundreds of hours of time to ensure the success of the evening.
With the completion of the building phase of the clinic in Thomassique, Haiti, the role of Medical Missionaries now shifts to maintenance of the physical facility and support of full time paid Haitian staff. The presence of full time health personnel in the rural area of Haiti allows more than 125,000 people to have local access for care and replaces a one bed room that previously served as the hospital. Working with many different local church leaders, civic groups and interested parties, Medical Missionaries has created a place where healthcare questions can be addressed. The community leaders are excited about the obvious potential of having a functioning clinic in their midst. The people are so poor that the services and medicines will be provided at no charge. Donations to help cover costs will be accepted. Most people try to survive day to day in the area. The many people who have donated time, talent or treasure to bring the clinic into reality can be assured they have made a difference for many thousands of rural Haitians. We have received our first government grant from USAID and won it to distribute food in Dominican Republic.
As Medical Missionaries has evolved over the last ten years, networking has made many connections with other interested groups. The problems of the poor are so great, that no one group can solve one or all of them. Via communication, sharing, mutual support there is a better chance of moving ahead in an efficient manner. To this end, Medical Missionaries has worked with other groups in providing support, supplies, and equipment. Over the past two years, Medical Missionaries has provided basic supplies and equipment for clinics in Sierra Leonne, Congo, Kenya, Phillipines, and Afganistan. Literally countries are standing in line awaiting shipments from our mission warehouse. All this work and effort brings hope to the many poor of the world who do not have any place to turn to. Thanks to the volunteers working at the warehouse located at Linton Hall School’s Benedictine Monastery in Bristow, Virginia, Medical Missionaries is able to lessen some of the suffering. We have three barns, ten trailers, and two sheds that house all donated items from clothing and household goods to medical supplies and equipment.
So the never ending struggle goes on for the supporters and volunteers of Medical Missionaries. Most of the work is hard and repetitive, but the joy or a life saved overwhelms the hardship. The volunteers have worked hard o build the clinic in Haiti, supply more than one hundred medical teams with equipment and medicines, build health care infrastructure in thirty-three countries and provide relief of victims of Katrina/Tsunami and local poor of Virginia, Washington, DC, and West Virginia. The volunteers know what has been accomplished is awesome but much more is needed. Medical Missionaries must accept the challenge to grow and duplicate the effort so that continuity will be provided in reaching out to the poor. Your help in volunteering, donations and prayers is greatly appreciated.
Week of Hope Project
By Susie Cornell
The Summer Youth Camp groups from Week of Hope Project were a breath of fresh air at our Linton Hall worksite…and that was in scorching heat and humidity! Those kids were dynamite! For two weeks in June they helped build tear down and help rebuild two utility trailers, clean suitcases, clear out storage containers, sort medical supplies, organized boxes, and even cleaned our rest room! It was over ninety degrees every day and those kids working outside with no shade or upstairs in the Barn attic, hung in there like troopers! How inspiring it was to see these young kids give up air conditioning and lazy days of summer to help the serve the poor of the world. We look forward to the groups who will be serving in July and August!
Medical Missionaries Wins USAID Grant
By Bob Wilson
On June 1, 2007 Medical Missionaries was awarded a USAID grant for the distribution of food in and around Banica and Pedro Santana, Dominican Republic. Medical Missionaries was awarded seventy-five metric tons of a shelf-stable food commodity prepared, stockpiled, and made available by Breedlove Dehydrated Foods, Inc. valued at $173,000.00. In addition, Medical Missionaries was awarded the sum of $99,990.00 for the receipt, rapid transportation, delivery and distribution of the commodities to the vulnerable populations in the Dominican Republic. The period of performance is June 1, 2007-May 31, 2008.
Medical Missionaries will use a program management approach to the project. Mr. Bob Wilson will be the overall Program Manager for the project and will report directly to the Medical Missionaries President, Dr. Gilbert Irwin. Mr. Steve Kirby will be the On-Site Program Manager in Banica. He will report directly to the Program Manager.
The program targets approximately 8,000 people in 26 villages in Banica and Pedro Santana. The program targets four categories of beneficiaries in each village for nutritional support: school-age children (pre-school and elementary, serious malnutrition children displaying stunted growth, pregnant women and malnourished elderly. The overall goal of the program is to enhance the health of the targeted population.
The award marks a significant milestone in the growth of Medical Missionaries and a solid partnership with USAID to help the “Poorest of the Poor.”
Engineering Update
By Ron Burrell
Since our last newsletter a lot of effort has been spent on activities related to our clinic in Thomassique, Haiti:
1. A two room Custodian House has been constructed and is being occupied by our two guards, Fosteen and Damimal.
2. A Haitian Visitors Home (sort of a Ronald McDonald facility) has been constructed and is ready for occupants. This home has two dorms each of which can sleep up to ten patient family members, a small kitchen area where the families can make their own meals and two small isolation rooms for patients that have Turburculosis (TB).
3. A high capacity water softener has been installed to remove hardness (calcium) from our water tower storage. This is needed to prevent clogging of the tankless (instant) water heaters in the clinic.
4. A large storage pantry was built in the staff house to store food products for our visits.
5. Several shelves and storage cabinets were built in the clinic to help in the organization of supplies and equipment.
6. A hall closet (to store linens and bathroom supplies), kitchen cabinets, work table and shelves were constructed.
7. Several plumbing modifications and repairs were required and completed in the clinic to provide the desired capability. This included the instillation of the booster pump, filter and pressure tank as well as a laundry facility.
8. Major electrical wiring modifications were made to accommodate improving lighting for the Operating and OB Rooms.
9. Modifications were made to the Dual Exam Room next to the Operating Room to allow it to be used for Patient Pre-Op. This included closing the wall between the hall all the way to the ceiling, installing a wider entrance door (for stretcher/gurney entrance) and adding a swinging door between the Pre-Op Room and the Operating Room.
10. Porcelain sinks installed by the construction crew had to be replaced with stainless steel sinks in the Pre-Op and Exam Rooms. The porcelain sinks were wall mounted, but the stainless sinks require cabinets so a total of five were constructed.
11. Electricity had to be provided to the new Custodian and Haitian Houses from the Staff House. This required a new 2 circuit panel, two rolls of wire, a hundred foots plus trench (Staff House plus Custodian House) and a three hundred foot trench (Staff House to Haitian House).
12. Five sets of Bunk Beds were assembled. Two sets were for the Staff House Room which has been used for storage, one set for the Custodian House (used as single beds in each room and two sets used to complete the bedding complement in the staff house.
13. Finally, a new storage shed (12’ X 16’) was constructed behind the clinic to house tools and non-perishable supplies. This was partially prefabricated prior to shipment in the last sea container; however, final assembly of concrete pad instillation, roof construction, siding, water proofing and electrical wiring had to be done on site.
All of these activities took place over the last six months during four trips. Volunteers generally stayed approximately one week. Most were repeat visitors; however, we had two new contributors– John Hohos and Mike Wittlinger (if you attended our Caring Hearts Ball you may recognize Mike as our great DJ!) The repeaters were John Blankenship, Pat Elms, Jon Hauris, Joe Ireland, Bill Shelton, Tim Smith and Anita Wilson. Craig Flanagan and Geoff Brougham helped with the prefrabrication at the barn prior to its shipment.
I also provided my old stand by Dominicans, Johnny, Danny and Manuel and two new ones Wilkie and Jonah for several of the trips. My old standby Haitians Volue and Jockey are always available along with several new Haitians assisted in the Shed construction.
Volue does most of our digging and his trenches look like they were done by machine (as deep as I ask for and perfectly square walls).
Jockey has been filling the Water Tower for the past two months. The process is pretty tedious. He has to:
• Manually open a valve to fill a one hundred fifty gallon ground tank.
• Close the valve once the tank is full.
• Go to the Staff House and throw the switch to apply power to our piston pump to pump water to the water tower.
• Repeat steps 1-4 for a total of ten loads to the water tower (~ 1500 gallons.)
• Fill the ground tank one more time.
• Shut valve from softener to water tank and open valve to return to softener to return to ground tank.
• Push the Purge (Regeneration) Button on the softener.
• Wait 2 1/2 hours for the Regeneration of Softener to complete.
• Open valve from softener to Water Tank and close valve to softener back to ground tank to complete the cycle.
This cycle generally takes two days and then he must start over. If we are not using any water it would take about forty days to fill the water tower. There are several reasons why this process has not been automated so far. The water from the aqueduct is slow coming into the ground tank and it cannot keep up with the pump. Also the fact that the water tower is not full means that hard water would be pumped through the softeners by-pass during the regeneration cycle just as it would at home when the faucet is opened during the Regeneration cycle. Water valve timers are not reliable with this hard water and would use significantly more electricity which is scarce. This is also a good job for Jockey who is responsible for staff house security and cleaning; as well as ensuring that the clinic and staff house roof top water tanks are routinely filled.
Fourth Medical Missionaries Educational Seminar
Saturday and Sunday, September 29 & 30, 2007
At Prince William Hospital, Manassas, Virginia
Purpose of Seminar: To provide the Medical Missionary Volunteer with the information that will allow his efforts to be more and will encourage those who may be a little hesitant to work outside their areas of comfort.
Our Speakers are experts in their fields as well as volunteers.
Topics scheduled include:
Intestinal Parasitiolgy- Ed Mitre, MD Uniformed Services Medical School/NIH Medical
Entymology/Chagas Disease-George Arias, PhD, Fairfax County Health Department
HIV Global Effort/ Local Approach– Ed Tramont, NIH
Orthopedics for the Non-Orthopod– David Snyder, MD Warrenton, VA
Malaria-Treatment and Eradication Efforts-James Maguire, MD, University of Maryland Medical School
Infectious Diarrhea– Rebecca Dillingham, MD, University of Virginia Medical School
Dengue Fever– Scott Halstead, MD, Dengue Vaccine Project
Childhood Vaccinations– William McAveney, MD
Iron Deficiency– Austin Moede, MD
Maternal Health/Midwife Program– Kurt Elward, MD
Tropical Dermatology– Eric Berlin, MD, Bethesda Naval Hospital
Lessons Learned From The Congo– Bob Wilson and Tad Latimer, MD
Organizational/Logistical Issues– Gil Irwin, MD, President, Medical Missionaries, Inc.
Oral Hygiene/Dental Mission
Nutrition/Assessment/Re-feeding/Food Bank
Filaria/Salt/Iodine/Thyroid Disease
Violence Against Women
Optometry/Fitting Eye Glasses
Gynecology Topics
Physical Therapy in the Third World Setting
Water Mini Seminar
Tuberculosis
Efforts to Reduce Infant Mortality Before Age of Five
*Some sessions are offered as Break Out Sessions.
CME/CEU is available. The price is $125.00 for Doctors, $75.00 for Nurses, $50.00 Students and Others.
Meals are included.
Nearest Airport, Dulles International Airport,
Local Hotels Include– Best Western, Marriott, Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn, Red Roof Inn, Comfort Suites
Cab Service Available to Hospital
To Register:
Medical Missionaries
9590 Surveyor CT
Manassas VA 20110
medmissionaries@yahoo.com
www.medicalmissionaries.info
For further Information Contact– Kenneth Kornetsky MD
kkornetsky@msn.com
Medical Missionaries, Inc. is a non-profit, non-sectarian group of volunteers located in Manassas, Virginia which for ten years has been engaged in the health related projects benefiting the poor and underserved in developing countries. Activities include creating and staffing a Medical and Dental Clinic in Thomassique, Haiti, Surgical Trips to the Dominican Republic, Collecting and sending health supplies worldwide. The Medical Mission Seminar sponsored by Medical Missionaries has been well received by health care volunteers from many groups.
Next Big Step for St. Joseph Clinic, Thomassique, Haiti
By Ken Korrnetsky, MD
On June 4, 2007 whose construction and operation is funded by the many supporters of Medical Missionaries, opened its doors to serve the people seven days a week. Over the last five years land owned by Hinche Catholic Diocese, the clinic compound has taken shape. There is a large capacity water tower, living quarters for full-time Haitian medical personnel as well as visiting Medical Missionaries, a two story clinic building and a guest house for families of patients that have to spend the night.
The clinic is spacious, clean, and is equipped with several exam rooms, an operating room suite, a labor and delivery room, pharmacy and laboratory. Radiology capabilities will be added soon. In large part due to Ron Burrell, our Chief Engineer and his teams, all of the compounds will have amble electricity from solar and generator sources as well as water.
The clinic contains a surprising array of modern equipment which has been replaced in the United States medical facilities but is still in good shape and functional. Examples include an EKG Machine, Ultrasound, Pulse Oximeter, Oxygen Concentrator and New Born Warmers.
In May 2007 after several months of discussion and interviews, Dr. Joseph Dessalines was hired by Medical Missionaries as Chief Clinic Physician. Dr. Dessalines is a 2004 graduate of La Faculte des Sciences de La Sante (Medical School in Port au Prince, Haiti), did post graduate social service time at a Partners in Health Facility in Lascahobas and has been the recent clinic director at St. Pierre de Mirbalais. He has worked with our medical teams on two occasions, is very knowledgeable, and hard working, compassionate individual, great addition to the clinic.
Madam Michel Marie Ketly is our Nurse Midwife. She received her nursing diploma from L’Eccole Nationale D’Infirmiers Notre Dame du Perpetual Secours. Mdm. Ketly received her Midwife training in 2005-2006 and was certified by the Health Department. She comes well recommended by the Ministry of Health in Hinche. She will be staying in the living quarters in Thomassique, Haiti. She with Dr. Dessalines will implement the start of the Maternal Clinic Health Care Program.
Other members of staff include a recent Haitian Medical School Graduate, Dr. Alex Aristil, who is provided by the government and will begin his social service year at the clinic. The Haitian Health Department is also providing personnel and materials for their vaccination and TB testing programs that will work out of the clinic. Additional personnel for the Pharmacy, Medical Records and Laboratory remain to be hired. An additional issue to be addressed is the relationship of the clinic to the community.
While the clinic is on church property and financed through Medical Missionaries, true participation by the people of Thomassique would be desirable as one step towards prioritizing the many tasks of the clinic. To that end an Advisory Board of Community Leaders was organized consisting of heads of local churches of all denominations, leaders of outlying villages and a school principal. Representative of the Health Department, Caritas, and other service organizations such as World Vision and Partners in Health will be included. At the first meeting where the clinic was introduced we discussed the many health needs of the area. Top concern was maternal health care and the high death rate of mothers in child birth.
A lot of logistics remain to be worked out. An affordable in country source of medication needs to be established to maintain a very active full-time clinic. Satellite internet connection, medical records, patient identity cards are just a few tasks. More laboratory and X-ray capability is needed soon. Given the enormous volume of visits to the clinic during the first month more space to hold patients overnight already seems to be necessary. Over 2,000 patients were seen in the first week alone. The clinic will evolve looking to maintain and develop working associations with other health care resources in the area. After one month of reports from Thomassique are very promising but the planning, work and fundraising have only just begun.
Girl Scout Troop # 1762
By Susie Cornell
We once again would like to thank Girl Scout Troop # 1762 for their service in support of Medical Missionaries! This April using Marsteller Middle School as the drop off point, the Scouts sorted 137 bags and boxes of shoes and clothing. Special thanks to Noel Wurst who took the lead on this project for her Silver Award and Lauren Hall who continued to collect shoes for us. You girls are terrific!
Caring Hearts Ball 2007
By Mary Ellen Merchant
For all of those who worked so hard on the Caring Hearts Ball-workers, donors, those who donated for the live and silent auction, bartenders, those who helped set up and tear down, who went out looking for donations and ads, who put baskets together,-I wish to take this opportunity to thank you for your efforts and dedication. It was you who made the Ball a success. I know the Lord will bless You for your hard work.
For those of you who attended the Ball and purchased items from the silent and live auction, our thanks as well. We could not have done it without you. We look forward to seeing you and many more next year on April 19, 2008 same time and same place. To our Seniors at All Saints, thank you for the wonderful sacrifices that you make in donating each month to Medical Missionaries. You will never know how much the children and all of the people of Haiti and Banica appreciate your efforts and kindness. May God continue to bless you.
Last of all, but certainly not least, our thanks to Dr. Gilbert Irwin. His love and caring for those in need is extraordinary. He constantly gives of himself in so many ways to help the “Poorest of the Poor.” He is a true believer in the beatitudes-feed the poor, tend to the sick, nelp the needy. He is a true example of sharing God’s love. Bless, to all of those other wonderful doctors and nurses, engineers and mechanics, and all the other unknowns who give their time and talent to help him in this endeavor.
Christ tells us to “Love our neighbor” and each and everyone of you are good examples of that. Your hearts should be full.
