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Feb. 1, 2010
 Yesterday was a busy day in Jimani. The US Navy made space on the USS Comfort for 50 of Jimani’s most critical patients. Our teams spent the day caring for everyone while preparing patients and families for transport. The helicopters were coming and going all day. (See photos). In the midst of all the chaos, a Haitian mother gave birth to healthy twins – almost 5 lbs each – a boy and a girl. Several of our team members helped with her care and shared in her joy.
In Fond Parisien, they now have a place to go for wound care because members of our team worked with the local people and local resources to ensure on-going care could be provided. Bill Charash is responsible for setting up the wound clinics and teaching hundreds of patients and families how to care for their injuries so that they can have the best outcomes even as resources and staff shift and change. He was able to make connections with international relief organizations to open a small hospital in Fond Parisien to begin to coordinate and meet the needs of the over 600 refugees who have made it out of Port au Prince and the surround areas. The number of refugees is expected to grow to 1,000 by the end of this week. We will be working with the local administrators of the hospital, the local officials and local clergy to send part of our future teams to Fond Parisien to provide care the same way we have been able to do so in Jimani and carry on Bill’s great work. Mari traveled there recently with Sarah Harwood to see what we could do in the future. They encountered a church service and spoke with people there who were rejoicing because their families were safe and receiving care. She was able to capture an audio tape of their singing. (attached)
Team 1 is beginning to leave Jimani and Fond Parisien now that Team 2 has arrived. We should all  be tremendously thankful for the great work that they have done – caring for patients and taking care of each other. We can’t wait to see them all back on Vermont snow-covered soil!
When I updated Senator Patrick Leahy yesterday by phone he was thrilled to hear of our work. He asked for a written update, so he could announce the Vermont Haiti Relief Team on the Senate floor this week. Vermonters are proud of the folks who have made it to Haiti to help those who needed us. We are grateful for the folks at home, who are covering shifts, gathering supplies – those who have made it possible for our teams to go to Haiti.
Our national union, The American Federation of Teachers, paid for Team 1’s airfare. We are still fundraising to be able to cover additional teams and to pay the expenses of the first team who forged the way. If you or someone you know is willing to donate to Vermont Haiti Project, Inc. and designate “medical team” it would be very helpful. We hope to send teams 3-12 in the coming weeks and months. We are still working to secure free airfare, and have made our own arrangements for transportation and lodging in Santo Domingo. (We were relying on the administrators of the hospital in Jimani, but it was challenging since the needs of our teams change as we move around the country and return to Vermont).
Our second team includes Kate Duffy and Bob Davis from Channel 3 News. We felt it was important to tell the story of the great work our teams are doing. Their stories, videos, and photos are helping show Vermonters the highly skilled, dedicated, caring professionals who work at FAHC and many of whom are members of our union. Our team members try to take pictures when they can so we, here in Vermont can understand better what they are seeing, but we wanted someone to tell the story of the teams and of the people of Haiti and the Dominican Republic in a way we could not. When Kate and Bob are not documenting life in Jimani, they are helping in whatever ways are necessary. Every hand and every heart is needed to care for the patients.
The members of the teams are exhausted physically and emotionally. They have endured very difficult conditions and very challenging work. They will continue to need our support as they return to life and work in Vermont . Please take a moment to thank them when you can, for all that they have done.
Team 1: Brian Gacioch, Paramedic; Brian Cunningham, EMT; Jeremiah Goyette, Paramedic; Bill Charash, MD; David Greenhouse, MD; Bob Stafford, RT; Jackie Schlein, RN; Joan Carson, RN; Susana Knoop, RN; Sarah Harwood, RN; and Mari Cordes, RN.
Team 2: Deb Wachtel, NP; Amos Hare, PA; Rich Salerno, MD; George Henry, RN; Jason Savoy, Paramedic; Jess King, EMT; Mindy Pariser, LPN; Wendy Madsen, RN; Peter Clark, RN; Courtney Walsh, RN; Ken Madsen, Assist; Kate Duffy, Channel 3; Bob Davis, Channel 3.
Thank you.
Jennifer Henry, RN
President, Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals
President, United Professions AFT Vermont
PO Box 948
Burlington, VT 05402
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