Carolinas HealthCare System, U.S. Navy Team Up To Provide Medical Care in Haiti
02/04/2010
Medical teams from Carolinas HealthCare System (CHS) will soon be headed to Haiti. Through an agreement with the Department of the Navy, CHS is organizing groups of volunteers who will spend two weeks at a time providing care to the thousands still hurting in the aftermath of the January earthquake.
The first contingent of 10 licensed providers is expected to deploy in mid-February and will remain in Haiti for two weeks. Navy medical officials will determine the make-up of each contingent, but each will include one or more physicians plus other medical personnel including mid-level providers, nurses, respiratory therapists, and physical and occupational therapists. They will work in a field hospital attached to the hospital ship Comfort.
“Since the devastating earthquake in January I have heard from many of our colleagues and teammates,” said CHS Chief Executive Officer Michael Tarwater. “They desperately want to help. They see that the need continues to be overwhelming and they are deeply concerned that opportunities to provide healing have been impeded by the many challenging conditions on the ground. Now, in conjunction with the Navy, we have a means for them to directly apply their skills in ways that will make a difference.”
Dr. Michael Bosse, an orthopedic trauma surgeon at Carolinas Medical Center and retired Navy Captain, was instrumental in making contact with Navy officials. Dr. Bosse is currently in Haiti leading a contingent from the Orthopaedic Trauma Association, a national organization of orthopedic trauma experts.
Additionally several other Carolinas HealthCare caregivers have gone or will soon travel to Haiti to work with relief agencies there.
“I am grateful every day for the commitment of all 44,000 members of our team who enable us to provide care for communities across the Carolinas and the region,” said Mr. Tarwater. “I am not at all surprised at the groundswell of interest in helping others beyond our borders, and I am certainly very proud. Since the moment the disaster in Haiti occurred, our employees have also donated thousands of dollars to charitable organizations providing relief. Thanks to the Department of the Navy, some of us, working as a team, can also join numerous others who are providing hands-on healing.”
