Volunteers Complete Health Education and Care in the Dominican Republic

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

We finished the mission in the Dominican Republic on Friday. Everyone worked incredibly hard to the very end. On the last day alone, there were almost 1,400 patient encounters. While it’s not about the numbers, everyone can be proud of the fact that we saw more patients and taught more students -- in less time -- than in Haiti. The unofficial totals for the country were:

• More than 11,000 patients triaged – including a case of leprosy in early stages
• 206 surgeries in 7 operating days – 30 per day in the 5 OR’s
• 1917 dental encounters
• 4780 students taught in 213 sessions

On Saturday night, Captain Ware sang the praises of all the educators…students had lined up all week for the sessions like it was a Hannah Montana concert (whoever she is)…and one of our own, Project HOPE volunteer Michele Okamoto, was honored as the ship’s Person of the Day.

On Sunday morning, we were visited by the Robert Peary – a refueling ship. The Navy term for refueling at sea is UNREP, or underway replenishment, and it’s simply an amazing thing to witness two huge vessels going side by side in perfect sync for more than two hours. The Comfort took on 500,000 gallons of fuel and the Witch Doctors executed a flawless VERTREP, moving 182 pallets of supplies from the Peary’s flight deck to ours. The ship’s Master, Captain Finger, said he’s done these for 30 years and hasn’t seen a better one.

On Monday, we steamed for Antigua. Most of the crew got the day off, sleeping in and enjoying brunch. In the afternoon, there was a Steel Beach Picnic on the flight deck that was a lot of fun. The highlight was the rain-shortened AF Band concert. The horns were tight and Keisha, the singer, should be on American Idol. She is that good!

Well, we “dropped hook” in St. John’s Harbour in beautiful Antigua about an hour ago, and we just went to flight quarters. The first “serial call aways” have begun, summoning the crew members who are moving our stuff to the sites on shore, and the first helo is taking off as I type. The table and walls are shaking, so I’ll sign off for now!

--Tom

Photos of Project HOPE Volunteers at Work in the Dominican Republic

Elie Malloy charting in the ICU onboard the USNS Comfort

Elie Malloy and Lisa Boatright in the ICU

Lisa Boatright with an ICU patient aboard the Comfort

Dr. Knaster's farewell speech

Boatswain Butch escorts Harry, Lisa, Jan and Judi to the boats

Bon voyage dinner for NGO volunteers. Hopies on right: Harry Knaster, Suzie Piperno, Lisa Boatright, Emily Desrosiers, Jan Eames; on left (next to Big Daryl): Judi Knickerbocker

Enjoy--Tom

Distinquished Guests Visit, Volunteer Work in Dominican Republic Continues

Distinguished Guests and Project HOPE Staff in Dominican Republic Visit with Volunteers onboard the USNS Comfort

Tuesday, April 28 We had more distinguished visitors aboard the Comfort today, including the Ambassador of Ecuador, Jose Villacañas, representatives of the Order of the Knights of Malta – who have supported Project HOPE’s land-based operations in the Dominican Republic since 1996, and many staff and volunteers from the HOPE office in Santo Domingo.

Commodore Lineberry greeted the delegation in the CASREC. Dr. Knaster answered the Ambassador’s questions. The visitors were able to see the entire hospital and capped off their visit with a group photo on the flight deck.

Meanwhile, the Hopies continued their great work treating patients at several sights on the beach as well as on board.

As of April 27, Project HOPE volunteers and their Navy Counterparts have
· Treated 4,658 patients
· Total educational interactions 1,369

in the Dominican Republic

--Tom

Project HOPE's CEO and Other U.S. Business Leaders Visit Volunteers

Last weekend, we had a special visit from Project HOPE’s CEO Dr. John Howe, who was joined by business and professional leaders from the U.S. who wanted to see how the mission is conducted on the front lines. They were able to see the clinic at the Otto Martinez School, where two HOPE volunteers were working.

Here is Dr. Ellen Marmur, the Chief of Dermatological and Cosmetic Surgery at The Mount Sinai Medical Center, observing HOPE volunteer Elie Malloy take information from a patient at the admissions desk.


And here is Candace Strother, President of Daybreak Wellness Solutions, with Emily of Helicopter Fame and patients in a waiting area.



The group spent a night on the Comfort, and after dinner, they met for more than an hour with the HOPE volunteers.



Here, Douglas Baker, CEO of Ecolab (seated between Dr. Howe and Dave Eddy) listens to Michele Okamoto share her experiences.



Later, the group toured the USNS Comfort, meeting HOPE volunteer Linda Brant who explained how the Intensive Care Unit operates on the ship. The Commodore and Captain Ware also gave the business leaders a briefing and discussed issues of vital interest to future missions.

Group photo provided by COL Bill Costello (U.S Southern Command)

(From left to right) John M. B. O’Connor, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors at Tactronics; Joseph E. Robert, Jr., Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, J.E. Robert Companies; Dr. Ellen Marmur, Chief of Dermatologic and Cosmetic Surgery at The Mount Sinai Medical Center; Dr Douglas Baker, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ecolab; John P. Howe, III, M.D. President and Chief Executive Officer of Project HOPE; Mel Immergut, Chairman of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP; Col. William Costello, U.S. Army, Director Public Affairs, U.S. Southern Command; Lisa Samson, Deputy Director, Public-Private Cooperation, U.S. Southern Command; David A. Siegel, President and Chairman of the Board, Westgate Resorts/Central Florida Investments; Candace L. Strother, President of Daybreak Wellness Solutions;François M. de Visscher, President of de Visscher & Co.

We really appreciate their interest in what we’re doing out here and their support!
--Tom

The Daily Commute and Another Donation

Project HOPE Volunteers continue work in the Dominican Republic

Hello everyone!

I’m on board Comfort all day today (Monday), catching up on the blog after a whirlwind of events the last few days.

I have to say it’s great tagging around with the Commodore. He’s a great guy, and getting to and from sites with him is awesome – 3 helo rides the last 3 days. I think Emily’s flown more – nope, she just told me we’re tied. She’s not the only one who has fun commuting.

Here’s Susan mustering (gathering for inspection, review, or roll call and then waiting for transport) in CASREC with the Seabees before going up to the boat deck.

BTW, the Seabees have the longest days of anyone going ashore – they go out on the first boat in the morning and come back on the last one of the day. When they get back to the ship they usually go straight from to the mess deck for chow, just in time for the 1900 confirmation brief, where the rest of us are already showered and fed – and eating ice cream, which is available every night, courtesy of the Commodore.


Anyway, back to our daily commutes. The boat-to-boat transfers, from lifeboat #6 to the tender boat can be like a theme park ride when the swells are large. We’re in good hands with the mariners from the MSC (Maritime Support Command formerly known as the Merchant Marine), who make sure we don’t fall in. There are a total of 62 mariners aboard, although we rarely see most of them because they’re working in the engine rooms or below decks somewhere. That reminds me to try to get a tour down there. It’s interesting talking to them – my great-grandfather was in the Russian merchant marine at the turn of the 20th century – and I know we civilians entertain them. They’re a bunch of salty sea dogs, especially Boatswain Butch, who operates the “Last Chance Café” in the shade of the lifeboat #4. IMAGE 559. But seriously, they all do a great job keeping us safe.

On Friday we conducted some serious business on shore – the turnover of the donated products. Project HOPE delivered $240,000 worth of medicine to Santo Domingo for use and distribution via HOPE's local country director, Teresa Navarez (in blue HOPE shirt). (Learn more about Project HOPE programs in the Dominican Republic)

Check back for for info on our eventful Saturday and Sunday, when we had a special visit from Project HOPE’s CEO Dr. John Howe, who was joined by business and professional leaders from the U.S. who wanted to see how the mission is conducted on the front lines.


--Tom

Project Hope Volunteer Suzie Piperno Teaches Newborn Care Class to Dominicans

(U.S. Army photos by Spc. Eric J. Cullen)

Read the story

Project HOPE Volunteers Begin Work in the Dominican Republic

From April 22, 2009

The first wave of worker bees went ashore today. Because of the heavy swells -- we're anchored outside the harbor -- the mariners had to improvise the transfer method: it's a 2-boat operation -- pax (i.e., passengers) are lowered in a lifeboat, then step over to the Hospitality One or Hospitality Two tender boat. Even the Seabees described this as "interesting." Our Sarah Cryer was all smiles, though, after a day of triaging at the Santa Luisa School. Harry, Emily, Peggy and Judi did primary care and triaging at the Pabellon de Balomano Sports Complex, which was the site of the Pan Am Games a few years ago, while our educators -- Lynn, Susan, Michele and Suzie -- spent the day at the Hospital Amigo de las Ninas y las Madres (Friend of Children and Mothers Hospital). They taught BLS (basic life saving), which, surprisingly, no one there had ever been taught. A small group of surgical patients came aboard yesterday. Their surgeries will take place Saturday. Since they came from the countryside, the command didn't want to send them home, only to have to make the trek back tomorrow. So they get an extra night at the Comfort Inn. BTW, one of my favorite hotels from Marriott days is on the shore, just opposite where we're anchored.


--Tom