Earthquake Update from the Home Office

Executive Director Katie Wolf and Director of Nursing Cherlie Severe were in the United States at the time of the earthquake.  As far as we know, there were no problems out in Jeremie, which is quite far from Port-au-Prince.  Katie and Cherlie were scheduled to return to Haiti next Tuesday.  Those plans will depend on…

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Earthquake in Haiti

Good morning from the home office in Wisconsin. I’ve been receiving emails and phone calls inquiring about the safety of our staff in Haiti. I am waiting to hear from Dr. Wolf about any details she has, but I can tell you that she is currently in the United States and was not in Haiti…

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The Walk

The young boy sat across the desk from me as I asked for the second time, “So, you came all alone to the clinic today, just you, without any parent or brother or cousin or anyone?” He shook his head confidently as he answered, “No, I came all alone,” as if it was no big…

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HIV in Haiti

Clarice sat in her chair on the side of the desk in my examination room, looking intently at the little test cartridge.  I was talking to her as the HIV rapid test result was developing.  I realized she probably wasn’t hearing much of what I said – she was concentrating on the test cartridge.  I…

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Public Health Corner Summer 2009

Our overarching goal at Friends for Health in Haiti is to improve the health and change the lives and hearts of the people of Haiti. We desire to do this by providing integrated health care to patients of all ages, in a nurturing, Christian environment. We feel that it is important to maintain dignity while…

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Small Miracles

One of the most gratifying aspects of our work here in Haiti is when we see positive results of our medical treatment.  Each patient presents a challenge to the physician, both in terms of diagnosing their illness and in deciding the proper treatment for that illness or condition.  Obviously, the more experience and knowledge a…

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Stories and Tears

There are times when our patients’ life stories bring tears to the eyes of both Cherlie and me.  One such episode occurred recently and I’d like to tell you about it.  A man and his wife had come to the clinic a few weeks ago with their infant daughter.  She had a large growth on…

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Cultural Adjustments

I recently spent a few weeks in the US, and my activities included a wonderful fund-raising banquet that was held in Milwaukee on April 4th.  We’re thankful to Fund Development Corporation, who helped with the planning of it, in collaboration with a great group of volunteers and our administrative assistant Tracy Bernhardt.  Over 230 people…

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