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Employees at St. David's HealthCare Provide Relief to Haitian Earthquake Victims

Friday, February 05, 2010

After a 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti on January 12, 2010, employees at St. David's HealthCare rallied together to provide aid in the form of time, money, medical supplies and equipment to the millions of people affected by this unexpected catastrophe. In addition to individual employee commitments, St. David's HealthCare has donated anesthetic drugs, antibiotics and operating room supplies. Employees are also collecting money to be matched by Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) and donated to Haiti's relief and rebuilding efforts.

“As healthcare professionals, we know how desperate the situation is in Haiti and how quickly we need to respond,” Steve Berkowitz, chief medical officer at St. David's HealthCare, said. “I am proud of the contributions St. David's HealthCare employees have made to the earthquake victims, and I'm thankful that their desire to offer compassionate care has extended to the people of Haiti in their most severe state.”

Serena Green, a NICU nurse at St. David's Medical Center, traveled to Haiti immediately after the earthquake alongside other medical professionals, providing support to the most critical and immediate medical needs. Green's journey to Haiti was made with Hill Country Bible Church and Austin Stone Community Church and was supported by St. David's HealthCare with significant amounts of medication and supplies.

Other staff members at St. David's Medical Center have also answered Haiti's call for aid. Jamy Dillion, a NICU nurse, went to Haiti with Mercy Works. Another NICU nurse, Jimmy Hall, and Courtney Smith, a transport respiratory therapist, are planning to go to Haiti in the near future.

Dr. Melanie Pagette, who practices at St. David's Round Rock Medical Center coordinated efforts to donate pharmaceuticals and medical supplies to Haiti. Pagette's efforts were supported by several doctors and medical professionals at St. David's HealthCare and were transported and distributed to Haitians by her husband. Other people at St. David's Round Rock Medical Center who helped with this effort include Patti Ellisor, chief nursing officer, and the pharmacy and materials management staff.

Dr. Jared Mabery, the Medical Director of St. David's Georgetown Hospital's Emergency Department left for Haiti immediately following the earthquake with a group of five other medical professionals. Mabery worked outside of Port-au-Prince for a week in a hospital associated with the medical clinic at Canaan Orphanage.

Will Curtis, an anesthesiologist at St. David's South Austin Medical Center traveled to Haiti with supplies donated by the facility.

Drs. Scott Smith and Joel Hurt of St. David's North Austin Medical Center were in Haiti the last week of January distributing two pallets of supplies and Drs. Devin Garza and Tyler Goldberg left for Haiti the first week of February.

In addition to these efforts, employees at St. David's HealthCare have also donated money to HCA. HCA has committed $1 million in cash and in-kind donations and will match employee donations dollar-for-dollar for all funds collected in January. Contributions will be divided between to the Red Cross, which is meeting the immediate needs on the ground in Haiti, and Doctors Without Borders, an international aid agency.