Saying Goodbye Never Gets Easier

Saying Goodbye Never Gets Easier

Through the planning stages to execution to departure, the process of leaving new and old friends behind never gets easier.  I want to especially thank these outstanding individuals who made this trip memorable and productive.

The Faculty:

Rusty Brown, M.D.—The chair of past Radiology Education Days programs in Port-au-Prince, Rusty continues to provide the leadership, planning and execution necessary for success. His calm demeanor and professionalism throughout the experience makes it easy on both the faculty and staff to execute the program. 

Jennifer Nicholas, M.D.—Jennifer visited for the first time in 2013 and has become a mainstay working at both the University Hospital and St. Damien’s Hospital (where she and Lacy stayed and provided additional training). Jennifer has opened her home to Haiti radiology residents attending RSNA and has provided the enthusiasm, resources and outstanding teaching skills necessary to help improve the resident’s skills and development.

Ernst Garcon, M.D.—not only a talented teacher of cross-sectional imaging (primarily using CT), through his personal attachment with Haiti, Ernst has provided the necessary interpretation, cultural understanding and connections to assist in furtherance of both radiology and medicine in his homeland.  Ernst has proven to be an essential member of our team on this his 5^th visit for the ACR and many others as an activist on behalf of improving care.

Julie Franz, M.D.—new to international outreach, Julie proved to be an inspiration to several residents who are seeking to build a women’s imaging program in the future. Her guidance and outstanding lectures were very well-received. Given the lack of

Lacy Gandor, RDMS--despite this being just her first visit to Haiti, Lacy proved a natural as she worked directly with the residents with hands-on ultrasound training. Working off the lectures of Drs. Franz, Nicholas and Brown, Lacy was able to provide outstanding hands-on examples as well as instruction for the proper use of ultrasound. We enjoyed her infectious enthusiasm throughout the trip.

Staff:

Lauren Alfero—having planned multiple trips in the past and attended a former RED Days, Lauren continued to provide the support and expertise necessary for the effective delivery of the program to the residents. Lauren's ongoing commitment to international outreach have been integral to our ongoing programs.

Catherine Jones—handling much of the logistics for this meeting was Catherine Jones. Catherine’s attention to detail and logistical expertise kept us on task ensuring a very smooth meeting for faculty and residents.

Friends from Fujifilm/Sonosite

Special thanks go to Sarina Stow, Matt Combs and the team at Fujifilm/Sonosite Global Health Program for once again providing two loaner ultrasound machines that were well utilized by the radiology residents. These devices allow us to deliver critical hands-on training.  Sonosite has been with us from the beginning and we appreciate their years of dedicated assistance to our programs.     

Hospital Bernard Mevs and the Bitar Brothers

Special thanks to Hospital Bernard Mevs and the Bitar brothers. With one of only a handful of CT machines in the country, Hospital Bernard Mevs has become a critical site for the resident's training in cross-sectional imaging. Drs. Jerry and Marlon Bitar, two surgeons who also help run Hospital Bernard Mevs, provided us a lecture room and space to work on our hands-on ultrasound.  

Drs. Mainville, Telemaque and Michel

I want to specifically thank Drs. Mainville, Telemaque and Michel for their ongoing commitment to the radiology residents at the University Hospital. We look forward to continuing our work with you in the future.

Dr. Bijou

I want to thank our friends at Grace Children's Hospital and ICC for their warmth and ongoing relationship. Particular thanks go to Dr. Bijou, Chuck Phelps, M.D. and Jeannine Hatt, M.D.

Ongoing Efforts of Volunteers and Organizations

While the ACR Foundation has worked to help radiology in Port-au-Prince, Haiti since 2011, it takes a village to help sustain and grow these programs. We are grateful for the ongoing working relationship we have with Imaging4Change (Drs. Crenshaw, Zivin and Parikh) and RAD-AID International (Drs. Sydnor and Stein-Wexler). We have also established many connections through radiology volunteers that have been going to Haiti long before the earthquake of January 2010. Finally, while much of Haiti's population is centered around and near Port-au-Prince, efforts by organizations such as Partners in Health and individuals (such as Drs. Mendel and Harris) have assisted in improving radiology elsewhere in the country. There are too many to be listed here but to you all we say THANK YOU!

Existing Radiologists and Radiology Residents at HUEH

Finally, we pay homage to the radiologists and the radiology residents of Haiti who work so tirelessly to improve radiological care in Haiti. You inspire us all. You represent the future of radiological care in Haiti and we hope to assist you in fulfilling your goals in Haiti. 



Radiology residents from the University Hospital (seen here interspersed with our volunteer faculty) represent the future of radiology in Haiti. Your knowledge, dedication and professionalism are greatly appreciated and serve as an inspiration to us all.