Local Medical Pros Are Helping Haiti

(Page 20)

By Todd Curran

A team of medical professionals from Oilfields Hospital and Okotoks Urgent Care is preparing for a medical mission to Haiti, volunteering their services at a hospital in the capital city of Port-au-Prince.
The nurses are expecting to work in conditions far different than here in Canada, anticipating frequent power outages, dehydrated patients and up to 20-hour workdays when they arrive next month. Still, the team maintains a positive attitude and is just happy to help people in need. “Knowing the tragedy of Haiti, knowing the medical needs that exist in Haiti, I personally see this as a rewarding experience,” says Nurse Cathy Buick.
The volunteers will be working at the Bernard Mev's Hospital run by a group called Medishare, based out of Miami. The team is aiming to be two doctors and seven or eight nurses strong and plan to be in Haiti from March 19th to 26th with a second trip in the works for a later date.
The team's arrival is being eagerly anticipated by the Haitian medical staff, as our local professionals possess a broad range of experience and technical knowledge. Although the team is largely comprised of specialists, they expect to be performing more general medical functions to keep up with patient needs.
Looking to raise about $12,000 to help offset the costs for the trip, the team says they will happily pay any funding shortages out of their own pockets to help make a difference in Haiti.
If you're interested in donating to their medical mission, please contact Nurse Sandra Hawker at 403-933-9119.