Hospital feels Haitian connection

The devastating earthquakes in Haiti provoked an outpouring of support from the United States and around the world. With hundreds of thousands left homeless by the devastation, the basic essentials of life – food, clothing, shelter – are in short supply as the rest of the world tries to lend a helping hand.

The effort is reflected at St. Bernard Hospital, where the tagline “Helping Hands, Helping Haiti” is emblazoned across 150 tee shirts that were sold as part of the hospital’s efforts to raise funds for the crumbled nation.

Barbara Young (Community Relations) spearheaded the effort to launch a fundraising campaign in support of the devastated Haitian population. “Whatever we can do to provide, we are eager and happy to do it,” she said.

In addition to the tee shirt sale and various raffles, employees are provided the opportunity to give to the relief fund by filling out an insert in their paycheck, allowing a direct deduction from payroll. In tandem, the hospital will match funds raised among employees, raising the grand total donation to more than $8K.

All of this comes in addition to an immediate shipment of gloves, gowns, bandages, gauze, and other miscellaneous medical supplies sent from the hospital to Haiti just after the initial 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck.

“This is a global humanitarian effort,” said Sister Elizabeth Van Straten RHSJ, President and CEO at St. Bernard. “Our role may be a small one, but we know that we have helped both the people of Haiti, and also the courageous doctors and nurses who have traveled to offer assistance.”

The relief effort is of particular interest to Dr. Jean-Wilson Muscadin, a Senior Attending pediatric physician at the hospital. His brother, the mayor of capital Port-au-Prince, was initially feared missing among the city’s rubble until he finally contacted Dr. Muscadin days after the earthquake. Now, the doctor and his wife are among those working hard to collect and ship supplies to the city over which his brother presides.

In an interview with ABC-7 News, Dr. Muscadin said of his brother, “That has to be a tough situation to be in. You are the mayor. Two-hundred and fifty thousand dead. Every part of the city is completely destroyed. A tough situation to be in.”

Today, St. Bernard continues to play its part in helping the ongoing relief efforts. Tracey Gates (Materials Management) was among those who purchased the specially-designed tee shirt. “I bought one for myself and one for my cousin in Baltimore,” she said. “I like that it said ‘Helping Hands, Helping Haiti,” because it really was a great way to help.”