Moderator EMEDPA Posted January 7, 2009 Moderator Share Posted January 7, 2009 anyone been to haiti? I have been invited to join a medical mission to leon in the western mtns of haiti for this summer... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjl1717 Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 All I know is that those Kevlar vests are heavy.... [but seriously I hear of friction over there at times.... Ill double check with this hair stylist I know] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmj11 Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I attended the PAs for Global Health conference a few weeks ago and spoke to one PA who has been there. But, I can't remember who it was . . . sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prospective PA Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I have been to Haiti... not medical related. It is okay in areas near the coast but the mountainous areas are dangerous, there is constant fighting (militant style) and soooo sooo much poverty illness and death it is very very sad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
primadonna22274 Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Nope, but my father-in-law (retired policeman) tried to go a year or two ago. Instead he ended up in Baghdad and is there now...the man doesn't know how to retire. Come to think of it, though, one of the first PA graduates of Pacific (Class of '99) went on a rotation to Haiti. Port-au-Prince I think. She was the trendsetter for the international rotations at PU. I've lost touch with her...lemme think...Kelly something (Carmichael maybe? married name)...she got married but I think she's still in Portland. Somebody at the program could probably put you in touch or perhaps through P-VPAS? Good luck..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted January 7, 2009 Author Moderator Share Posted January 7, 2009 I turned in the app, so we will see. they only have 4 pa/np slots.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjl1717 Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Ok buddy here is the real deal (I spoke to my friend who is from Hati) She said if are from the states especially if you are Caucasian its ok to go to Hati.... She says as an American you are not seen as a threat (you are seen in an altruistic manner) She says most of the in fighting is among politicians..But like any other place on the planet stay alert... Just keeping it real! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator ventana Posted January 7, 2009 Moderator Share Posted January 7, 2009 if your looking for medical relief missions I am going to Honduras in Feb with www.capecares.com I have never been on a mission before but this organization seemed very upbeat, receptive and helpful (unlike other larger organizations...) I can post when I get back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kittryn Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I saw a "60 minutes" episode last year on a doc who spends a TON of time in haiti -- it was really just absolutely amazing. maybe you can see the episode of you google it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted January 7, 2009 Author Moderator Share Posted January 7, 2009 I saw a "60 minutes" episode last year on a doc who spends a TON of time in haiti -- it was really just absolutely amazing. maybe you can see the episode of you google it? I'm guessing it was about paul farmer, md an ID doc from boston. he spends around 9 mo/yr there and has a haitian family there. a book about him" mountains beyond mountains" is part of the reason I am trying to go there.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjl1717 Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 I saw a "60 minutes" episode last year on a doc who spends a TON of time in haiti -- it was really just absolutely amazing. maybe you can see the episode of you google it? Yes and 60 minutes also sells there episodes.... I bought one a few year ago for about $75 bucks.... Overall I thnk people look at you differently when they know you are in there country to help.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kittryn Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 I'm guessing it was about paul farmer, md an ID doc from boston. he spends around 9 mo/yr there and has a haitian family there.a book about him" mountains beyond mountains" is part of the reason I am trying to go there.... yes, it was paul farmer. his organization is "partners in health" -- I just googled it. here is a link if anyone wants to get started checking him out: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/01/60minutes/main4063191.shtml great stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iperkins Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 anyone been to haiti?I have been invited to join a medical mission to leon in the western mtns of haiti for this summer... I have been to Haiti on a few occasions over the past ten years or so. I stayed in the capital Port-au-Prince on each trip but have done some minor traveling up the coast. Mostly work teams but on my last trip I was able to spend a week with a retired American PA (believe he was in Emory's second graduating class). It was by far my favorite trip as I was able to work with him for a week at the various clinics he ran. At last check he was still living there essentially full time. I can tell you that the Haitian people are exceedingly gracious to recieve care from American medical providers. It was awesome to watch this PA with 20+ years experience practice pure medicine absent from the hassles of paperwork and the like. And I agree Mountains Beyond Mountains is a great read. In regards to safety it certainly helps to have contacts on the ground in Haiti that can advise you on the security status leading up to your trip. In my experience we have only had to cancel one trip about a week ahead of time because of unrest. I imagine that the organization your are applying to has those contacts set up. Unrest is fairly common there and if you are in the city you are likely to hear gunshots in the evening etc., but most organizations are good at keeping people in secure housing and being aware of situations aroung them. If you have any specific questions about being there let me know. Also one of my first year PA classmates has been several times and I could ask her if she has been to the area you are thinking of traveling to. Hope this opportunity works out for you and as a side note Haiti makes some great rum that you can get cheap at the airport on your way out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted May 1, 2009 Author Moderator Share Posted May 1, 2009 I'm going in a few weeks. got my typhoid and polio vaccs and picked up my chloriquine and mosquito bed netting . a buddy of mine told me to look out for "vivid dreams" on cloriquine. he said he woke up thinking he was being eaten by giant beetles....great.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kittryn Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 a buddy of mine told me to look out for "vivid dreams" on cloriquine. he said he woke up thinking he was being eaten by giant beetles....great..... it's really true. I took chloriquine in indonesia for about 6 weeks and it is AMAZING how vivid the dreams are...I woke up from one dream just sobbing, it was completely cathartic. I really liked it/them (I know, I'm weird).... :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmj11 Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 I have been to Haiti on a few occasions over the past ten years or so. I stayed in the capital Port-au-Prince on each trip but have done some minor traveling up the coast. Mostly work teams but on my last trip I was able to spend a week with a retired American PA (believe he was in Emory's second graduating class). It was by far my favorite trip as I was able to work with him for a week at the various clinics he ran. At last check he was still living there essentially full time. I can tell you that the Haitian people are exceedingly gracious to recieve care from American medical providers. It was awesome to watch this PA with 20+ years experience practice pure medicine absent from the hassles of paperwork and the like. And I agree Mountains Beyond Mountains is a great read. In regards to safety it certainly helps to have contacts on the ground in Haiti that can advise you on the security status leading up to your trip. In my experience we have only had to cancel one trip about a week ahead of time because of unrest. I imagine that the organization your are applying to has those contacts set up. Unrest is fairly common there and if you are in the city you are likely to hear gunshots in the evening etc., but most organizations are good at keeping people in secure housing and being aware of situations aroung them. If you have any specific questions about being there let me know. Also one of my first year PA classmates has been several times and I could ask her if she has been to the area you are thinking of traveling to. Hope this opportunity works out for you and as a side note Haiti makes some great rum that you can get cheap at the airport on your way out. This guy sounds like a real PA hero. Has he ever won (or been nominated) for PA humanitarian of the year? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted May 1, 2009 Author Moderator Share Posted May 1, 2009 hmm, malarone caused no such dreams and didn't need to be taken for such a long time pre/post-trip... did something similar to this in peru sans buildings/walls pre-pa career, worked in the triage area. was amazing but probably the hardest thing i've ever done. hard to feel like you're making a lasting difference with such a short visit. i'm sure that's different with a long-standing clinic. good luck and be careful. I'm really more concerned about dengue than anything else. I will be applying 100% deet jungle juice regularly.... the teams have a history there and are well liked and appreciated by the haitians. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oct93ranger Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 EMEDPA- I spent several months there when I was in the service. i can echo some of the above posts by saying that, for the most part, the people are extremely appreciative if you are there to help. That being said, it is also a third-world country (what does that mean anymore?), so make sure somebody is watching your back. Also, I got two words for you: BUG JUICE!!!! Seriously, the stuff we used was like powdered sulfur in an oil-base. Lovely smell, but it worked. I still have gear that smells like it almost fifteen years later. oh the memories. Good luck to you, and be safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted May 4, 2009 Author Moderator Share Posted May 4, 2009 I just bought some of the permetherin saturated insect guard shirts and pants from ex oficio at rei...seriously... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oct93ranger Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 you oughtta try the sulfur, emed. you could save a few bucks as the smell totally negates any need for deodorant/ antiperspirant. nobody's BO could overcome it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreamin2baPA Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 E: My FIL is a big player in children's health in Haiti through the Methodist Church. I can give you resources if he hasn't left for UK yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v_chicky Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 i used that 100% DEET, and you know what? 200+ mosquito/chigger/random bug bites later, i decided it didn't work any better than the normal Off some others were using. also caused a lot of nausea and HA. one of the docs i went with discouraged use of 100% deet as too much gets absorbed and you then get the lovely systemic side effects. i second the sulfur stuff, though patients might give you funny looks 'cuz you smell nasty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doboy Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 I used to teach in Louis Simon, Dominican Republic. It is three kilometers from the border of Hati in the mountians. Beautiful country, wonderful people... very very poor. Malnutrition, TB, and HIV are very prevalant. Good Luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the cableguy Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 EMEDPA-I spent several months there when I was in the service. i can echo some of the above posts by saying that, for the most part, the people are extremely appreciative if you are there to help. That being said, it is also a third-world country (what does that mean anymore?), so make sure somebody is watching your back. Also, I got two words for you: BUG JUICE!!!! Seriously, the stuff we used was like powdered sulfur in an oil-base. Lovely smell, but it worked. I still have gear that smells like it almost fifteen years later. oh the memories. Good luck to you, and be safe. Hey, we must've been there at the same time. I was on the advance invasion force with the 10th Mtn Div during Operation Restore Democracy back in 1994. I remember having trouble sleeping at night because of the stench of urine wafting out of Port-au-prince. I mostly did convoy security for movements between the harbor and airfield. When I moved over to the airfield, I'd stay awake at night while on guard duty by stomping on tarantulas...literally hundreds of them. I do remember that Haiti had the most incredible sunsets I have ever seen. Incredible cloud formations. Have fun Emedpa! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmj11 Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 I just bought some of the permetherin saturated insect guard shirts and pants from ex oficio at rei...seriously... Hey, set up a blog so we can monitor your day to day experience. You prob won't have satellite internet like we set up in Pak.:o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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