Lumiere Medical Ministries or LLM is a not-for-profit American organization that runs missions at Kings Hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. LMM's need for surgical teams was identified on the American College of Surgeons (ACS) website as described in Operation Giving Back. There was one pre-mission meeting with both medical and non-medical team members to discuss the goals and objectives of the mission.
Dr. Leslie Osei-Tutu (foreground) overseeing the recovery of a young boy who had a minor surgery with his mother at his side.
Sun setting behind the newly painted Kings Hospital where ISHI was operating. Structurally, the four stories new building was left unscathed by the earthquake 9 months ago.
MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT FOR THE MISSION:
Dr. Asha Bale, assisted by nurse Emilia Wawszczyk, removing a mass from the left arm of a young Haitian woman
The cholera outbreak was still in its initial phase in November 2010 when we arrived but progressed and overwhelmed the resources of medical teams on the field rapidly. Logistical coordinator for Medical Team International Alex Areces requested these supplies for distribution to the Northwest of Haiti where cholera camps caring non-stop for victims. ISHI was able to help fight the growing threat of cholera by providing, carrying and delivering needed supplies.
HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR ORPHANS
Over 150 presents were donated to ISHI including chess games, puzzles, jumping ropes, tambourines and crayons. These gifts were distributed at two orphanages. The children's age varied between 5 and 14.
THE TEAM MEMBERS
This ISHI team was made of ten medical and non-medical volunteers: (l to r) logistics translator and photographer Charlie Khoury, anesthesiologist Dr. Leslie Osei Tutu, trauma surgeon Dr. Ziad Sifri, anesthesiologist Dr. Chantal Pyram, general and laparoscopic surgeon Dr. Asha Bale, logistics and translator Zeina Wakim, photographer Vishnu Hoff, emergency room and recovery room nurse Emilia Wawszcyk, general and oncological surgeon Dr. Kevin Clarke, surgical oncology fellow Dr. Cha-Chi Wang. All 10 volunteers paid for their own airfares, completed the 10-day mission safely and without any health issues.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
20 successful major surgeries as well as 3 hysterectomies were performed
Cholera supplies were shipped and delivered to Medical Team International
3 didactic lectures were given to the hospital staff
4 educational lectures were given to the orphans at Kings Hospital
Over 150 holiday gifts were distributed at the orphanages
