Today began the first leg of our journey to Port-au-Prince. More than half of our delegation arrived in time to meet, dine and discuss our expectations and hopes for Haiti as well as share stories of the road. The banter was generally lighthearted as we got to know one another better. There were fish stories, the sharing of experiences in Haiti and the Dominican Republic (as well as discussions and comparisons to other parts of the world), discussion of local arts and crafts and a revelation that the group would be photographed and interviewed throughout the next few days.
All-in-all, a good start to our program. Tomorrow morning we will leave for Port-au-Prince. Tonight we will rest looking forward to beginning our work tomorrow.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Friday, June 1, 2012
Many Hands Make for a Lighter Load
The past few days have been busy attending to some last minute logistical details for our program. Radiology Education Days (RED) in Haiti could not have come together without the leadership of our program chair Rusty Brown, M.D., the chair of the ACR Foundation International Outreach Committee, Jim Borgstede, M.D., the eleven dedicated radiology professionals that volunteered to make the journey and present at the conference, the direct support of the SDMS and ASRT, the tireless efforts of our gracious hosts at ICC and Grace Children's Hospital, the generous contributions of Sonosite and GE, which provided loaner equipment to assist in hands-on training, and the dedicated and steadfast commitment of leadership and staff at the ACR. I will be speaking more directly about the contributions of these individuals and organizations in the days to come. We are very excited about the interest in our program on the ground. We currently are at capacity for the educational program and look forward to engaging our participants not only at the meeting but in the future as we work to assist radiology in Haiti. We look forward to meeting and working with these dedicated professionals who seek to further their education as they seek to advance health care in Haiti.
Tomorrow we begin our journey. I will be reporting from Miami tomorrow evening and then from Haiti during our program. I hope you will follow our journey.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Back to Port-au-Prince: Radiology Education Days
It's been some time since I posted however gratefully it is not for a lack of progress. I will be joining a delegation of radiologists, medical sonographers and radiological technologists as the ACR Foundation supports Radiology Education Days (RED) in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, June 4-5.
The conference will be held at the Grace Children's Hospital and will provide both didactic and hands-on training in plain film, ultrasound and the use of CT technology in radiology. We hope to have 50-60 health care professionals attend the two-day conference. The ACR Foundation has provided ongoing educational materials to the 19 radiologists that currently serve in the country of nearly 10 million. This face-to-face education is essential in expanding and reinforcing the knowledge base of imaging in Haiti.
We are grateful for the in-kind support of Sonosite and GE for loaning portable ultrasound units for the conference. In addition, we will be using the portable x-ray unit that was generously donated by Siemens to Grace Children's Hospital this past year. The ACR Foundation also wants to thank the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for providing personnel and support on this trip.
You can learn more about the trip in the current issue of the ACR Bullletin in the article entitled, "Going the Distance" written by Alyssa Martino http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/acr/acrbulletin_201205/#/10. As always, the trip, as well as the support provided to assist radiology in Haiti, is supported through the Haiti Radiology Relief Fund at http://www.causes.com/causes/442954-support-haiti-radiology-relief-fund. Tax-deductible contributions may be made to the fund through this site.
I will provide more information on the trip in the days leading up to our departure. I will also provide daily updates on the program while in Port-au-Prince. For more information about the ACR Foundation International Outreach Program go to https://internationalservice.acr.org/.
The conference will be held at the Grace Children's Hospital and will provide both didactic and hands-on training in plain film, ultrasound and the use of CT technology in radiology. We hope to have 50-60 health care professionals attend the two-day conference. The ACR Foundation has provided ongoing educational materials to the 19 radiologists that currently serve in the country of nearly 10 million. This face-to-face education is essential in expanding and reinforcing the knowledge base of imaging in Haiti.
We are grateful for the in-kind support of Sonosite and GE for loaning portable ultrasound units for the conference. In addition, we will be using the portable x-ray unit that was generously donated by Siemens to Grace Children's Hospital this past year. The ACR Foundation also wants to thank the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for providing personnel and support on this trip.
You can learn more about the trip in the current issue of the ACR Bullletin in the article entitled, "Going the Distance" written by Alyssa Martino http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/acr/acrbulletin_201205/#/10. As always, the trip, as well as the support provided to assist radiology in Haiti, is supported through the Haiti Radiology Relief Fund at http://www.causes.com/causes/442954-support-haiti-radiology-relief-fund. Tax-deductible contributions may be made to the fund through this site.
I will provide more information on the trip in the days leading up to our departure. I will also provide daily updates on the program while in Port-au-Prince. For more information about the ACR Foundation International Outreach Program go to https://internationalservice.acr.org/.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
ACR Bulletin Features Trip to Haiti
“Moving Mountains” discusses the powerful statistics discovered during our trip to Port-au-Prince as well as plans for establishing a long-term, lasting relationship with Grace Children’s Hospital and the Haiti radiology community. The article also features a video created from footage taken on the trip and gives first hand accounts from some of our delegation who witnessed the devastation created by the January 2010 earthquake. Find out how the ACR is helping those in Haiti and how you can help too!
Visit http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/acr/acrbulletin_20119/#/14 to read the article and http://bit.ly/ngSIOl to find the video on the ACR’s YouTube.
Find out more information about the Haiti Radiology Relief Fund by following these links:
Visit http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/acr/acrbulletin_20119/#/14 to read the article and http://bit.ly/ngSIOl to find the video on the ACR’s YouTube.
Find out more information about the Haiti Radiology Relief Fund by following these links:
- Join the Cause and Donate! Haiti Radiology Relief Fund Cause Page: http://bit.ly/pvNthX
Friday, July 15, 2011
Grace Children's Hospital Receives X-Ray Equipment Generously Donated by Siemens
We received word today that a Siemens (hybrid) portable x-ray unit has cleared customs and will be delivered today to Grace Children's Hospital (GCH). The unit will greatly enhance the radiology capacity for the hospital and will lead to more children being diagnosed and treated for childhood diseases. I want to especially thank Siemens for their generous contribution and thank ICC for their support in getting the unit through customs and on its way to GCH.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
On My Way Home
After four days in Haiti, we are now on our way home. There are many lessons we learned about radiology in the Port-au-Prince area of Haiti. We learned about its current limitations but also reflected and began discussing some exciting plans for the future. We learned that change will not come easily. Haiti has many immediate needs today and will continue to have them well into the future. We forged new friendships, made important contacts, discussed hurdles and hardships and became fascinated by the people and the place.
Haiti is indeed a land of contrasts. Its mountains and seas, flora and fauna reflect the beauty of a tropical parardise waiting to be seen. Its shaken earth, crumbled buildings and years of poverty, have scarred the surface with mounds of rubble, debris and stench that are reflective of a country in the developing world whose condition has been exacerbated by a devastating earthquake. Despite its challenges, it is the warmth, perserverence and dignity of its people that I will remember.
When we departed Miami International Airport to fly to Port-au-Prince, long-time radiologist volunteer Chuck Phelps, M.D. pulled me aside and said, "watch out Brad, once you're in Haiti, Haiti will be in you." On my way home now I can honestly say that I am bringing a part of Haiti with me. I hope my next visit will be longer and that I can learn more about this remarkable place and its people.
Pictured above: As we make our way to the airport from left to right are Dr. Chuck Phelps, Dr. John Yates (person overseeing GCH's rebuilding), Dr. Paul H. Ellenbogen (ACR Vice Chair, Board of Chancellors), Dr. Jeannine Hatt Phelps (Pediatrician and Board Member of ICC) and Dr. James Borgstede, M.D. (Chair, ACR Foundation International Outreach Committee).
For more information on radiology in Haiti, the Haiti Radiology Relief Fund and ACR Foundation activities there, please visit the ACR International Service Web site at https://internationalservice.acr.org/ or contact Brad Short at bshort@acr.org or 800-227-5463 ext. 4975.
Haiti is indeed a land of contrasts. Its mountains and seas, flora and fauna reflect the beauty of a tropical parardise waiting to be seen. Its shaken earth, crumbled buildings and years of poverty, have scarred the surface with mounds of rubble, debris and stench that are reflective of a country in the developing world whose condition has been exacerbated by a devastating earthquake. Despite its challenges, it is the warmth, perserverence and dignity of its people that I will remember.
When we departed Miami International Airport to fly to Port-au-Prince, long-time radiologist volunteer Chuck Phelps, M.D. pulled me aside and said, "watch out Brad, once you're in Haiti, Haiti will be in you." On my way home now I can honestly say that I am bringing a part of Haiti with me. I hope my next visit will be longer and that I can learn more about this remarkable place and its people.
Pictured above: As we make our way to the airport from left to right are Dr. Chuck Phelps, Dr. John Yates (person overseeing GCH's rebuilding), Dr. Paul H. Ellenbogen (ACR Vice Chair, Board of Chancellors), Dr. Jeannine Hatt Phelps (Pediatrician and Board Member of ICC) and Dr. James Borgstede, M.D. (Chair, ACR Foundation International Outreach Committee).
For more information on radiology in Haiti, the Haiti Radiology Relief Fund and ACR Foundation activities there, please visit the ACR International Service Web site at https://internationalservice.acr.org/ or contact Brad Short at bshort@acr.org or 800-227-5463 ext. 4975.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Day Three: Full Day in Haiti
We started today with a trip to the Hôpital Universitaire de la Paix. The hospital is allied with the HUEG (or General Hospital) in Port-au-Prince. We surveyed the radiology facilities and met with the hospital director and some of the staff.
We then travelled to the main University Hospital (HUEG or the General Hospital) and met with the director of medicine Dr. Alix Lassegue. He noted that they plan on reinstating their radiology residency program. He also noted the need for education materials including text books and DVDs. They are also in need for radiology equipment repair personnel.
After meeting with Dr. Lassegue we headed for the radiology department to meet with members of the Haiti Radiology Society including Dr. Claudine Cleophat, who heads the Radiology Department. We had a long discussion on some of the needs of radiologists and radiologic technologists in Haiti. In addition to equipment needs, there has been a significant emigration of Haitian medical trained-radiologists to other western countries. With roughly 19 radiologists in the country, no current radiology residency and training and advanced equipment found elsewhere, many potential radiologists have left the country. The radiologists specifically noted a need for a "teach the teachers" program. The General Hospital suffered some severe damage to some of its campus and will be going through a rebuilding effort. We discussed some of the potential needs for the University Radiology Department. We also discussed ways that the ACR Foundation can assist with teaching and training materials in the short-run and, working with the ASRT, provide possible educational materials for their radiologic technologists.
The saddest part of the day took us to the wing of the hospital that housed the nursing school. During the earthquake roughly 90 nursing school students and some teachers were killed. Most of them were in their second year of a three-year program. The facility is now in tents supplied by UNICEF. We met the head of the nursing program who survived the earthquake and the remaining 20 students left from the class which suffered the signficant fatalities.
We ventured out on to the town in the late afternoon. The ride to the hospitals and the tour of the city reminded us all of how much work is left to be done in Haiti.
We then travelled to the main University Hospital (HUEG or the General Hospital) and met with the director of medicine Dr. Alix Lassegue. He noted that they plan on reinstating their radiology residency program. He also noted the need for education materials including text books and DVDs. They are also in need for radiology equipment repair personnel.
After meeting with Dr. Lassegue we headed for the radiology department to meet with members of the Haiti Radiology Society including Dr. Claudine Cleophat, who heads the Radiology Department. We had a long discussion on some of the needs of radiologists and radiologic technologists in Haiti. In addition to equipment needs, there has been a significant emigration of Haitian medical trained-radiologists to other western countries. With roughly 19 radiologists in the country, no current radiology residency and training and advanced equipment found elsewhere, many potential radiologists have left the country. The radiologists specifically noted a need for a "teach the teachers" program. The General Hospital suffered some severe damage to some of its campus and will be going through a rebuilding effort. We discussed some of the potential needs for the University Radiology Department. We also discussed ways that the ACR Foundation can assist with teaching and training materials in the short-run and, working with the ASRT, provide possible educational materials for their radiologic technologists.
The saddest part of the day took us to the wing of the hospital that housed the nursing school. During the earthquake roughly 90 nursing school students and some teachers were killed. Most of them were in their second year of a three-year program. The facility is now in tents supplied by UNICEF. We met the head of the nursing program who survived the earthquake and the remaining 20 students left from the class which suffered the signficant fatalities.
We ventured out on to the town in the late afternoon. The ride to the hospitals and the tour of the city reminded us all of how much work is left to be done in Haiti.
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