Hopital Adventiste d”Haiti now has WIFI! Still some wrinkles to iron out with that, but I am happy to report that the hospital is in good condition and continuing some amazing work in the area. The hospital and university have become major centers for relief work, and for those of you who have been to either, you would hardly recognize the grounds now. The hospital has minimal structural damage but every free space and every sleepable surface seems to have some kind of habitant on it at some point or another whether it be patients and their families, local staff who have lost there homes, or a relief worker. The makeshift sheet shelters sprawled across the grounds are gradually giving way to a tent city, and the chaos that seemed so overwhelming when I first arrived at the hospital is being formed by all the volunteers and staff into something that is serving the victims more effectively day by day. I am amazed everyday by all of the expertise that has come to this part of the world and all of the humility that allows all to function in such a challenging environment.  The hospital currently has a contingent of French doctors and firefighters running triage and basic procedures, and a steady stream of doctors, nurses, and relief groups have been fluxing through the hospital from all over the United States, and the world.

As I am typing right now, an amazing group of nurses from San Diego are making their way through the camp to see each patient and follow their treatment in the dark of night. ACTS has been providing essential leadership and logistical support and was kind enough to provide the means for me to fly to Haiti. There is a Mexican surgeon who operates during the day, a south African team and a team based out of Taiwan arrived yesterday, a Texas crew is running a small satellite clinic across the street, and of course our very own LLU Ortho surgeons have been operating long hours as they provide key leadership in the OR.  The number of resources that have been flowing into this hospital have been a huge blessing, and I know our class’ efforts to make a stand at this Hospital will be rewarded with the possibility of seeing great improvements in the near future. More updates will be coming now that I have easier access to internet, and pictures will follow. There is so much happening here, I’ll try my best to keep the updates rolling.