MDP Board Members Serve in Haiti

March 2, 2010 - MDP Board members Dr. Bob Christensen and Susan Peller, R.N., both answered the call to serve in Haiti following the devastating earthquake.  Dr. Christensen spent five weeks helping two different organizations and Susan Peller has just returned from 2 weeks with Heartline Ministries. 

On February 12 Susan shared, "Just completed first 13 hour shift in hospital.  I hardly know where to start.  The people I am working with are amazing.  They have taken great care of these patients.  I did tons of dressing changes and pushed lots of IV antibiotics.  I am just diluting IV abx in 10cc saline and pushing slow.  Wouldn't see that in the states.  Lots of leg fracture with external fixation in place.  Lots of open wounds that have been grafted and we are caring for.  It is very busy, very hot!!  The people never complain even when I know what I am doing hurts them quite a bit.  One of the boys here with external fixator on femur is quite a spitfire.  Unfortunately we can't find any of his family but we are still looking.  There are stories like that all over the place.  For the kids we give them ketamine before dressing changes and luckily we are actually pretty well supplied with pain meds so we are able to control their pain.  We get transfers from USS Comfort and from Merlin another organization that is doing lots of grafting.  I am removing sutures and staples with less than ideal equipment but it is working.  I am sooo glad I am here.  The need is immense and ongoing.  If you know anyone thinking of coming tell them not to put it off."

Friends of MDP, Theresa (Guentzel) Reichert, R.N. and her mother Mary Guentzel, R.N. also served in Haiti.  Theresa is pictured in the bottom photo.  MDP was also able to donate some much needed medicine for tuberculosis testing when Mary traveled to Haiti.  We keep the people of Haiti and those coming to their aid in our prayers.