1/25/10
Clark called Sunday night from Haiti via Satellite phone. They arrived safely from Santo Domingo, albeit not without adventure – their bus broke down on the way. He said one of the doctors treated a few people that night for a variety of injuries and infections.
Below is information received from various spouses of the team. Clark thought they would be sleeping on mats (based on the phone call), so I’m not sure how accurate the comment about sleeping in beds is. Also, the mentioned 45-minute drive time to Port-au-Prince would be pre-earthquake drive time.
Dr. Dessieux is leading a team of 18 doctors and medical professionals on a 10 day trip to Haiti to provide medical relief. Nine of this team are from Santiam Memorial Hospital and the rest are from different parts of the United States (including Dr. Dessieux’s brother and sister also in the medical field).
The Oregon members left Portland at 6 am on Saturday, January 23rd, and arrived into Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic, early morning on Sunday the 24th. After gathering some supplies and leaving Dr. Dessieux behind to meet the second part of the group, they drove over land to the Haitian Christian Mission Clinic located in Fonds Parisien, 15-20 miles (45 minute drive) from Port-au-Prince. The team arrived around 6 pm and started seeing patients right away until they were able to go to sleep in a bed. After some 30 hours of travel in airplanes, airports and buses, they must have been glad!
Dr. Dessieux and the second group arrived this morning (Monday) and have been busy seeing patients. At the end of the day the clinic has seen an estimated 190 patients. Tomorrow there are plans to bring out a school bus and offer transportation to and from Port-au-Prince. All the team members are doing well.