Generous Gift from Network Computing Architects, Inc.

Project Medishare for Haiti would like to extend a huge thank you to Network Computing Architects, Inc., a Bellevue, Washington based firm. Network Computing Architects, Inc. recently donated several pieces of high-grade network electronics to Project Medishare. These electronics are the backbone of the CT scanner imaging network located at the Hospital Bernard Mevs Project Medishare in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The donated goods are valued between $20,000-$25,000. Registered Technologist Dean Lee and Dr. Bill Crenshaw met with Thomas Gobeille, President and CEO of Network Computing Architects, Inc. and Lee Craft. Thomas and Lee kindly asked what else they could do to help Project Medishare and without hesitation, donated the electronics.

Thomas Gobeille is responsible for management and direction of Network Computing Architects, Inc.  His ultimate focus is on the technical sales process and providing the tools and support to drive consultative lead business solutions. Mr. Gobeille was nominated for “Entrepreneur of the Year” for the State of Washington and sits on several CEO and Operating Officer roundtables.

We are extremely grateful to Network Computing Architects, Inc., Thomas Gobeille and Lee Craft for their generous donation.

The old network electronics

Registered Technologist Dean Lee, Dr. Marlon Bitar, Dr. Jerry Bitar, Dr. Barth A. Green & Dr. Bill Crenshaw in front of the new donated network electronics

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Rotary International District 6990 Awards $70,000 Grant to Project Medishare

On Monday, June 27^th 2011, senior leaders of Rotary International’s District 6990, which comprises southeast Florida and Grand Bahama Island, presented a $70,000 grant commitment to Drs. Barth Green and Arthur Fournier of Project Medishare for Haiti, Inc. Drs. Green and Fournier will use the funds to provide training and equipment in the areas of radiology, ophthalmology, and laboratory work essential to providing urgent care to critically injured and ill patients at the Hospital Bernard Mevs Project Medishare in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

This is the second time Rotary International’s District 6990 has partnered with Project Medishare to fund work in Haiti. In 2007, the Zone 34 Rotary District gave Project Medishare $107,733 towards their nutrition program in the Central Plateau of Haiti, the poorest area of the country. “We are proud to be partnering with Project Medishare once again in their efforts towards the sustainable redevelopment of Haiti,” said Noelle A. Galperin, Rotary District 6990 Haiti Initiative Task Force Chair. “After visiting Hospital Bernard Mevs Project Medishare, it quickly became apparent that this is an organization that is achieving ambitious goals in Haiti – training and employing Haitian doctors, nurses and health care administrators to be the future health care leaders in their country.”

Thank you Rotary International District 6990 for your continued support of Project Medishare for Haiti, Inc.  

Rotary International’s District 6990 check presentation to Project Medishare

Rotary International’s District 6990 second check presentation to Project Medishare

Rotary International is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. Rotary’s global membership is approximately 1.2 million men and women who belong to more than 32,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Rotary clubs have been serving communities worldwide for more than a century. www.rotary.org

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Haitian President Michel Martelly Visits Hospital Bernard Mevs & Cuts Ribbon at CT Scanner Dedication Ceremony

As you may recall from a past post, Yéle Haiti generously donated a grant to Project Medishare for Haiti, Inc. in support of the purchase of a 16-slice CT Scanner with its own trailer and generator power source this past July. The unit arrived on April 1^st, 2011 at Hospital Bernard Mevs Project Medishare. We were honored to have Haitian President Michel Martelly, First Lady Sophia Martelly, Wyclef Jean and many more attend the exciting ribbon cutting ceremony this past Friday, May 20, 2011.

Jon Voltaire, Dr. Bill Crenshaw, Dr. Gary Denton & Dean Lee in front of the CT Scanner's trailer

The CT scanner will help treat the five major preventable causes of death in Haiti, which are: trauma, heart attack, stroke, maternal emergencies and burns. The scanner is connected to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami and this will assist in providing near instantaneous reading of the scans. This desperately needed technology will be integrated into Project Medishare’s training and education program for Haitian healthcare workers. The Yéle Haiti donated CT Scanner at Hospital Bernard Mevs Project Medishare is the only 16-slice scanner available publicly in all of Haiti.

CT Scanner

Receiving this CT Scanner and housing it at Hospital Bernard Mevs Project Medishare has many benefits. The staff will be able to treat patients much faster as there will no longer be a need to transfer anyone for scans. If a patient has had an aneurysm, the CT Scanner will show the size of it and if it is operable. Dr. Bill Crenshaw and Dean Lee donated IV Contrast that will show vessels during the scans. With IV contrast, the hospital will be able to assess the aorta and pulmonary arteries. Using IV contrast in patients being scanned will allow the hospital to get oncology imaging as well as imaging of patients with trauma and acute abdominal pain.

President Michel Martelly (center) cutting the ribbon at the CT Scanner, donated by Wyclef's Yéle Haiti, dedication ceremoy at Hospital Bernard Mevs Project Medishare

The day of the CT Scanner ribbon cutting ceremony was an exceptionally exciting Friday at Hospital Bernard Mevs Project Medishare. In the morning, a tour of the hospital was given to President Michel Martelly, First Lady Sophia Martelly and Wyclef Jean. During the tour of the premises, they took time to greet and speak to patients and met with hospital staff. Following the tour, the group viewed the CT Scanner and ceremoniously cut the ribbon that was emblazoned with the Project Medishare and Yéle Haiti logos (provided by Metro Signs, Inc.). President Martelly spoke to the crowd and kindly expressed his thanks to Project Medishare for the continued healthcare work being done in Haiti.

Dr. Barth A. Green, Wyclef Jean & President Michel Martelly

Project Medishare would like to extend a very special thank you to:
Wyclef Jean & Yéle Haiti for donating this incredible & important gift.
President Michel Martelly & First Lady Sophia Martelly for attending.
Metro Signs, Inc. for donating the lettering, signage & ribbon.

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Our Amazing Race

Starting line at the Run for Relief 5K

The first annual Run for Relief 5K was truly an amazing race. The event took place this past Sunday, May 15^th, 2011 at Peacock Park in Coconut Grove, FL. Participants arrived just as the sun was rising in the morning to pick up their bib numbers and commemorative t-shirts. Haitian-American songstress, Phyllisia Ross, kicked things off by singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” while participants lined up for the start of the race. The often times temperamental Miami weather cooperated for the race and remained comfortably breezy for the 5K. The sounds of 99 JAMZ WEDR-FM filled Peacock Park and could be heard on the racecourse. We were delighted to see so many young school children participating in the race with their parents. We were also thrilled to have a very special guest attend the event with Project Medishare co-founder Dr. Barth Green. A huge accomplishment in itself, 13-year-old Thedjy Romelus walked part of the course with Dr. Green.

Handmade Haitian awards for race winners

Two years ago Drs. John Ragheb and David Sandberg found Thedjy unconscious in Haiti. They performed a life saving operation on his brain and Project Medishare brought him to the United States. When he arrived in Miami, Thedjy had a malignant tumor removed from his brain by Dr. Sandberg. This operation was followed by over a year of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which he recently successfully completed. Thedjy is now attending a special school for vision challenged children, where he is an A student, and sessions of physical therapy. His dream is to be “as tall as a tree”, play in the NBA and to create music. Post-race, standing alongside Dr. Green, Thedjy spoke to the Run for Relief crowd thanking everyone for participating and supporting Project Medishare. He ended his brief but touching message by saying “thank you for saving my life”.

Run for Relief 5K check presentation. Pictured from left are Claude Grubair, Andy DeAngulo, Dr. Barth Green, Thedjy Romelus & race organizer Laura Simko

A $40,000 check was presented to Project Medishare for Haiti by event organizer Laura Simko and Claude Grubair and Andy DeAngulo of the Ransom Athletic Department. Thank you to everyone that supported Project Medishare through the Run for Relief 5K. Congratulations to each person that completed the 5K and to the race winner, Adam Chambers who finished the race with an astonishing time of 16 minutes, 41 seconds! To find your race result, please click here or look for Run for Relief on www.splitsecondtiming.com

Run for Relief 5K race course

We would like to extend a very special thank you to Laura Simko, Claude Grubair, Andy DeAngulo & the entire Ransom Everglades Athletic Department for organizing this race.

Run for Relief 5K finish line

We are already looking forward to the 2^nd Annual Run for Relief 5K in 2012 and hope to see you all out there!

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An Unrivaled Spirit

Wilfred Macena

Twenty-six year old Wilfred Macena was at work welding in a shop when the catastrophic earthquake hit Haiti in January 2010. Like so many others, Wilfred was trapped under the rubble. He was able to free himself but not without escaping injury. Wilfred damaged his right leg when it was crushed by falling debris.

Wilfred stayed at home with his injured leg for three days before finally getting to Adventist Hospital. He waited at Adventist Hospital for four days but ended up leaving out of frustration as he was never seen by a doctor and went to the neighboring Dominican Republic. Seven days after being injured in the earthquake, Wilfred had an above the knee amputation on his right leg in the Dominican Republic. At first he was very hesitant about the procedure. He asked the doctor what his prognosis would be following the amputation and was told that he would be able to walk again with a prosthetic leg which made him feel comfortable with the procedure.

On April 1, 2010, Wilfred went to the Project Medishare field hospital to have his leg fitted for a prosthetic. Upon his return to the hospital on April 3, the staff explained to Wilfred how to walk with the prosthetic and within five minutes he was up and running! Dr. Barth A. Green, co-founder of Project Medishare, was in the tent and asked Wilfred if he wanted a job with Project Medishare. Wilfred currently works in the Prosthetics and Orthotics laboratory and clinic at the Hospital Bernard Mevs Project Medishare. He takes measurements for prosthetic limbs and knows how to fix them. He has learned how to speak and understand English while working for Project Medishare. Wilfred is also a mentor to anyone that is facing amputation and for those being fitted for prosthetics. He is the perfect example that life does go on even after amputation and is a constant source of encouragement and inspiration. He is playing soccer again with the Project Medishare Team Zaryen Amputee Soccer team. He has a one and a half year old and is expecting his second child in July.

Wilfred’s spirit is incomparable. It takes two hours to get from his tent home to work every day by taking three tap taps. He repeats the same long, treacherous trip to get home each night. He says that he is extremely grateful to Project Medishare because if he did not work there he would not be able to work as he lost everything, including his welding tools, in the earthquake. It is fair to say that the feeling is mutual; Project Medishare is very grateful to have Wilfred as part of our team.

Wilfred Macena at work in the Prosthetics and Orthotics laboratory and clinic at the Hospital Bernard Mevs Project Medishare

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Chefs With a Purpose: Haiti, A Resounding Success!

Chefs With a Purpose Grand Tasting and Silent Auction to benefit Project Medishare for Haiti and International Firefighters Assistance, held at the InterContinental Miami on March 30th, was a resounding success! The event featured over 20 tasting stations which each offered a delicious signature menu dish by the participating top chefs. The evening’s silent auction had incredible items ranging from luxury hotel stays, unique dining experiences, Tiffany & Co. jewelry, Haitian art and unique sports memorabilia. There was a new addition this year as a beautiful Haitian art exhibit by Michele Frisch, Haiti’s leading art curator and collector, was displayed in the lobby. The featured Haitian art was from the Galerie Marassa collection. The evening was hosted by Pierre Garçon, Wide Receiver for the Indianapolis Colts and emceed by DJ Griot of 99 Jamz. WPLG Channel 10 Miami evening news anchor, Calvin Hughes, was honored for his important contributions to Haiti’s recovery, advancing awareness and fundraising efforts. Guests were serenaded with the music of renowned Haitian performers Mushy Widmaier and sultry singer Phyllisia Ross.

The participating restaurants included: Table 40, Two Chefs Restaurant, Sra. Martinez, The Forge, Mama Mia, Gigi’s Noodle Bar, Bond Street, Chophouse Miami, House of Caviar & Fine Foods, Abokado, Moca Café, Chef Creole, CookiePursonality, San Ignacio College Culinary Program, Chef George Catering, Rational Cooking Solutions, Ana Paz Cakes, Diego’s Tapas y Vinos, Dadou’s Kitchen, Por Fin Restaurant & Lounge, Scalina Ristorante.

We would like to extend a very special thank you to InterContinental Miami for once again hosting this incredible evening to raise awareness and the much needed funds for Project Medishare Haiti.

Lt. Nate Lasseur, Founder & President of IFA; Robert Hill, InterContinental Miami General Manager; Dr. Barth Green, Co-Founder of Project Medishare for Haiti; and Calvin Hughes, WPLG News Anchor at Chefs With a Purpose

Haitian art from the Galerie Marassa collection exhibit by Michele Frisch, Haiti’s leading art curator and collector

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Plum TV Presents: Project Medishare Documentary

This great documentary on Project Medishare premiered on Plum TV this past weekend. In case you missed it, take a few minutes to watch the video below.

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Postcard to Project Medishare Co-founder and President Dr. Barth Green

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Miami’s Channel 7 takes a look at Haiti one year after the earthquake

By Jennifer Browning

Miami’s Channel 7 reports on Haiti almost one year after a devastating 7.0 earthquake hit the tiny Caribbean country.

Hours after the earthquake Miami doctors and nurses volunteering with Project Medishare were among the first to respond to those in need.

A year later, Project Medishare continues to operate Haiti’s only critical care and trauma hospital in Haiti.

Click  here to see the full report.

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Florida’s U.S. Senator Bill Nelson fights for funding for Haiti’s only critical care hospital

By Jennifer Browning

U.S. Senator Bill Nelson vowed, during a visit to the Miami’s Ryder Trauma Center last week, to continue his efforts to secure funds for the Hospital Bernard Mevs Project Medishare, a critical care and rehabilitation hospital, operated by  Project Medishare and the Global Institute in Port-au-Prince.

Originally the critical care and rehabilitation hospital was located in four tents at the edge of the airport for five months following the January earthquake. The hospital joined forces with to an existing community hospital in June and continues to serve as a vital critical care and rehabilitation hospital as well as a training center for local physicians, nurses and allied health professionals eager to fill the large gaps in Haiti’s shattered health care system.

Dr. Barth Green, co-founder and president of Project Medishare said the organization is counting on a $17.7 million federal grant to operate the hospital over the next 18 months and help Haiti build a sustainable health care system. Nelson wrote a letter urging the U.S. State Department to direct a portion of the Haiti relief funding in the 2010 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act to the hospital.

Days after the January 12 earthquake, the senator praised Americans for their quick generosity to the earthquake relief effort. The senator singled out UM’s Miller School of Medicine for having the first medical team on the ground in Haiti which was led by Dr. Green.The team began treating the critically wounded within five minutes of landing at the devastated Port-au-Prince airport  twelve hours after quake.

Project Medishare’s programs currently rely heavily on independent donations. If you would like to make a donation to help us continue our important work through projects like those at Hospital Bernard Mevs Project Medishare, Haiti’s ONLY critical care hospital, please click here to make an online donation today.

Source: University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine.

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