Our first day at St. Vincent’s! It was everything we anticipated. Our chariot, the St. Vincent’s handicapped bus, arrived at 8:30 am to take our team of 16 from the guest house in Eucalyptus Village to the school. Our motley crew consists of doctors, nurses, researchers, medical students, an educator, pharmacist, occupational therapist, an artist and some enthusiastic volunteers!
Making our way to the bus. Yes, those are trees on the guest house property!!!! What a sight for sore eyes.
Coming from a different direction than past trips offered us new sights and smells. We passed by a large open air market (Marche Publik) packed with people shopping for essentials, living life.
The Marche Publik, a typical shopping experience.
We arrived after class had started so our entry was quiet. The first hour was spent setting up the clinic in the school library: gathering tables and chairs, organizing medical supplies, moving medicine into the pharmacy (aka Pere FanFan’s office). We’ve done this *so* many times that it is a fairly smooth, efficient process!
Of course, Sherye (Friends of St. Vincent’s Chair), headed upstairs to greet the teachers, working through each room with hugs. These ladies work incredibly hard under conditions that are far less than ideal.
Clinic had its usual first day hiccups as we created our own unique rhythm. We love the sign John Robert created for us, hanging in the intake area where we take personal information, vital signs, hemoglobin levels and attempt to determine disability… sometimes it’s not as easy as you might think!
Maureen taking each child’s name, age and disability.
After intake, the children wait to see one of the doctors, Dr. Susan and Dr. Judy from West TN Haiti Partnership. After an examination (think well child visit), children are sent back to class with a piwili (lollipop) that made the finger prick worthwhile! If a prescription is needed, they come to the pharmacy with a parent to pick up their medication and receive verbal instruction. If a follow up with a specialist is necessary, the doctors make those connections to have further care done in Haiti as often as possible.
40 patients were seen.
40 kids are being monitored to ensure they are as healthy as possible.
40 long term relationships were nurtured.
We’d say it was a good morning.
More pictures.
Sharon and Sherye taking a blood pressure.
Peter giving the child her information card.
Sharon taking vitals with Peter interpreting.
John prepping for a finger stick.
St. Vincent’s administrator, Aurelie, holding a nervous child while Peter reassures him.
Dr. Susan and interpreter with a patient.
Harrison, a 3rd year medical student, getting practical experience under the watchful eyes of the doctors.
Dr. Judy, retired after 41 years at St. Jude’s Memphis, seeing a student, piwili in hand.
Mayuri and Brittany mixing scabies ointment in the pharmacy.