Dr. June Hanks working with Haiti survivors
Following her arrival in Haiti on January 28, Dr. June Hanks, UC Foundation associate professor, is working in a makeshift hospital she describes as “a MASH unit in a building instead of tents.”
Hanks is working at Hospital Lumiere in Bonne Fin, where she is instructing patients and their families how to manage amputated limbs, walk with a walker or crutches, and exercise so the patient will be ready for a prosthesis when the surgical wound heals. Numerous patients have suffered crush injuries resulting in broken bones along with open wounds and nerve injuries.
“Many patients have wounds that are difficult to heal and they must go to surgery several times for cleaning and revisions. Rehabilitation services are clearly a part of this process and I feel privileged to be here to help. I worked in this hospital for several years and I am sad that the hospital has degraded so severely. Many are hoping to revive the orthopedic service here, but are not yet sure what is best in the long term,” said Hanks.
Plans are progressing to begin making artificial arms and legs in the Advantage Program shop. Hanks said they plan to follow the International Committee of the Red Cross process for making artificial limbs.
Hanks is the director of Advantage Program, an assistance program for persons with disabling conditions located in Les Cayes, Haiti.
“If we can train many people in one system, these individuals can work anywhere in Haiti to make the limbs and repair them. We do not plan to collect used artificial limbs, transport them to Haiti and try to piece together a limb. Each amputated limb is unique and requires a unique socket made especially for an individual person. We plan to make the limbs in Haiti rather than try to modify a limb made for someone else and forcing it to fit a uniquely shaped limb,” said Hanks.
For more information on the Advantage Program visit www.lumiereministries.com
Personal connection draws Miles to Haiti
A UTC staff member has a personal connection to an orphanage in Haiti. Pat Miles, Assistant Director, UTC Alumni Affairs, is going to Haiti February 6-12 with Score International to help distribute relief supplies in Port au Prince or Jacmel.
“I have two children adopted from Haiti. The orphanage, God’s Littlest Angels, had only slight damage and none of their children were hurt. However supplies are very scarce and they have taken in additional children from other orphanages that have been destroyed,” said Miles.
Miles is collecting the following items for God’s Littlest Angels orphanage:
formula, diapers, baby wipes, baby cereal, infant Tylenol, infant and children’s vitamins & baby care items, lotion, and powder. In addition, supplies to assist the area community with clothing, medical supplies, household items, hygiene items such as soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, blankets and towels.
Items can be dropped off at the UTC Alumni Office on the second floor of the Patten House.
For more information on God’s Littlest Angels orphanage visit www.godslittlestangelsinhaiti.org
Nursing professor to accompany team to Haiti
Dr. Assistant Professor Chris Smith, Coordinator, Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration, leaves for Haiti on February 12. During her eight day trip she will work with a team of 25 people at the local Children’s Nutrition Program of Haiti, which was founded by Chattanooga cardiologist Dr. Mitch Mutter.
The nutrition program sends local women into the community to teach mother’s how to adequately feed their children on the local foods. There is also an educational program for the mother.
“I am going to see what we can do for Leogane where the program is based. We have heard that 70-90% of this city has been destroyed. We will see when we get there. Unfortunately with the earthquake the hospital is no longer a viable place to send patients. While it is still standing, it has cracks and the 2 adjacent buildings have crumbled. This town of 150,000 people now has no local hospital and the one in Port Au Prince is not functioning either,” said Smith.
Smith says funds will be used to purchase antibiotics, bandages, Betadine, tetanus, and more.
Read more about the Children’s Nutrition Program of Haiti at www.cnphaiti.org
Student effort continues to raise cash for Haiti
Tyler Forrest, UTC Trustee and SGA President, said the “Drop Your Coins for Haiti” campaign has already raised $250 for Haiti relief and much more is expected. Students are dropping money in containers located at all of the Aramark cash register terminals in the cafeteria.
“The SGA Social Issues Committee will be selling shirts with the proceeds going to the Haiti Fund. The final decision was that the money collected will go to the Red Cross,” Forrest said.
