Roots

6/20/2018

Introduction from MS4 Beth Carpenter and contribution from Gasser Joseph (nurse):
Today was another great day in and out of the operating room—we completed several pediatric and adult hernia repairs, a pediatric circumcision, and the removal of a chronic ulcerating skin lesion on a patient's leg that required a full thickness skin graft. All in a day’s work! We’ve also had some down-time at night over the past few days for evening serenades, Coke, and enjoying the view from our beautiful roof. (See bottom of post for some fun Week 3 photos of all three of these!)

The unsung heroes of our trip are our nurses. Venecia, one of the nurses from Week 2, was actually dubbed the “PACU angel” by the medical students because she helped us so much in the recovery room. Not only do our nurses heavily coach us along the way when it comes to pre-oping and post-oping our patients (vitals, consents, IV access), in addition to their involvement in the operating room, but many of our nurses are Haitian themselves and have an extremely valuable perspective that they bring to our trip and have the grace to share with us along the way.

Gasser Joseph is one of our Week 3 nurses and was kind enough to write some thoughts on what initially brought him back to Haiti on our medical trip as a nurse, as well as what motivates him to keep coming back.

It was after living in the US after almost 25 years that I decided to join the Emory medical mission to Hinche [the original site of the Emory Haiti Alliance trip]. The first time I participated, it happened by accident when a Haitian friend of mine, an alumna of the mission, told me about the trip and asked me if I wanted to join. For me it was an instant yes.

Giving back to Haiti is almost always in the mind of Haitians who have immigrated to other parts of the world. I am fortunate that I work in a profession whereby I can contribute and the services provided are needed and welcomed. I practice as a professional nurse in the neurosurgical ICU at Emory. I am also proud to travel on such a mission with a team from Emory, that also contains health care professionals who work for other health organizations. The team consists of medical students, surgeons, anesthesiologists, anesthetists, and nurses.

In Haiti I coordinate care among Haitian healthcare workers and the Emory team members. I assist whenever my cultural, linguistic, and nursing skills are needed. It is a humble experience with a great sense of gratitude to the nation of Haiti and the people of the Central Plateau, and our care for them does not go unnoticed. The recipients are always grateful.

Haiti is now in worse shape that when I left it. I often feel that for the country to find its footing, each and every sector ought to be uplifted at the same time. This is an impossible task since Haiti has no financial resources to accomplish this. However the country has an abundant richness of untapped natural resources and a people who have an attitude and willingness to put in their two cents.