Diabetes in Suriname

Project HOPE volunteer, Dr. Ruth Hart, an emergency medicine physician from Manlius, New York, has seen a lot in her 30 year career. Still was startled when she first examined Rodney Berika who visited the medical site set up by the Continuing Promise 2010 mission in Paramaribo, Suriname.

“He came in wearing Crocs®. When he sat down and slipped off his shoes, I saw the dirty bloody bandage wrapped around his foot. It was clear that part of his foot was missing and he had lost most of the feeling,” says Dr. Hart.

When taking his medical history, Dr. Hart found out that Mr. Berika is a 29-year-old man, with a 10-year history of diabetes. He works on the docks in Suriname, carrying boxes and luggage. Berika is married with two sons and works very hard to support his family. He has never been able to afford the medications and medical needed to take care of his diabetes.

Dr. Hart consulted with a military doctor participating in Continuing Promise 2010 mission and the two diagnosed Berika’s foot with an advanced diabetic pressure ulcer. They also examined his left foot and found signs of Gangrene on the fourth toe.

The team treated the patient’s right foot and then turned their attention to educating the Berika and his family about the seriousness of diabetes and necessity of daily attention and care to his disease.

In addition, the medical team called the local university hospital, and arranged for a representative of the hospital to provide continuing counseling and initial treatment for Berika.

Still long-term care, daily testing and availability of insulin may remain challenges for Berika. With Suriname’s wet environment and Berika’s occupation as an outdoor laborer, wound care and healing also remain a concern.

In the meantime, Dr. Hart provided a translator with money and instructions to purchase a real pair of shoes and some socks for Mr. Berika to wear to insure his foot stays better protected and clean.

During the evening, others onboard the USS Iwo Jima took up a collection for fresh socks and money to possibly be able to help Berika get some of the medical equipment he needs.

Photos and story by Kris Radder, HOPE's Volunteer Public Affairs Officer

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Volunteers Provide Care at Med Sites, Hospitals and Rural Clinics

Project HOPE volunteers provided medical care and education in several different locations as they were split up into groups in order to make the most impact during their time in Suriname. A few stayed onboard the USS Iwo Jima, many provided care at the main medical site in Paramaribo, and others were flown into rural parts of Suriname to help those that often have no access to a doctor.

HOPE’s Dr. Colin Muir, a physician from Cocoa Beach, Florida, along with two other HOPE volunteers and military medical professionals participated in a health education mission visiting several hospitals. The group offered a variety of presentations to local health care professionals on topics as varied as sexual transmitted diseases, to dealing with stress, to prenatal care and resuscitation.

"We learned that Suriname has a high level of medical care,” Dr. Muir says. “The people are well educated, and have a high level of knowledge even when dealing with challenges such as delayed test results. Still they handle the challenges pretty well."

Volunteer Corinne Bragg-Muir, a nurse from Cocoa Beach, Florida, also visited a local hospital to participate in a teaching and information exchange session with one of the Navy nurses. "We shared information on STD's, and one of the things we let them know about is the availability of a vaccine for HPV, one of the main sources for cervical cancer in young women," she says.

The day went very smoothly for the main medical site with a steady stream of people, seeking care and information about their health.

Photos and story by Kris Radder, HOPE's Volunteer Public Affairs Officer

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Volunteers in Suriname

The first day of work in Suriname was marked with celebration as the USS Iwo Jima Commodore Thomas Negus participated in opening ceremonies alongside Suriname’s dignitaries at a chosen medical site in Paramaribo.

Commodore Negus talked a bit about the eight-nation humanitarian mission and the importance of the non-governmental organization participation. “The great thing about Continuing Promise is that number one, it is a equal partnership mission,” says Commodore Negus. “We go into these counties on their invitation, use the elements and capability of our government, our international partners and our strong civilian non-governmental organization participation like Project HOPE. We have a strong partnership with Project HOPE, they have been leaders in every (Continuing Promise) mission we have done. We might be approaching a hundred different volunteers on this mission alone."

After the opening ceremonies, the medical site went into full gear.

A girl who was so excited to have a tooth removed that she had little to eat all day, felt a bit light headed after her tooth removal. HOPE volunteers Kerry Decker, a nurse from Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Dr. Ruth Hart, a physician from Manlius, New York, came to her aid.

“We gave her some fluids, took her blood pressure, and provided some liquid Ibuprofen for the pain. She feels a lot better right now,” said Dr. Hart.

Other Project HOPE volunteers are doing overnights in Suriname including Dr. Mona Khanna, a physician from Chicago, Illinois, who is doing a four day stay at a medical site.

As the first day came to a close, volunteers are enthusiastic for their continuing work in Suriname.

Photos and story by Kris Radder, HOPE's Volunteer Public Affairs Officer

Help Support Project HOPE's Humanitarian, Health Education and Volunteer Programs Around the Globe.

More from Guyana

As the time was nearing to leave Guyana and set course for Suriname, Project HOPE volunteers alongside the crew and medical staff onboard the USS Iwo Jima continued to treat and provide health education for as many Guyanese as possible.

Some of the medical personal continued work at the onshore medical clinic site while a few others, including HOPE volunteer Dr. Colin Muir, an OB/GYN from Cocoa Beach, Florida, and Brenda Jones, a women’s health nurse practitioner from Valparaiso, Indiana, made a last visit to New Amsterdam Hospital to offer insight and learn about the maternal health practices.

While on site, the volunteers were privileged to witness the birth of a baby. "We were able to be part of a delivery by the midwife," says Dr. Muir. "The woman in labor was a young single mother, a very gracious lady. She wanted to pray before she went into labor so we held hands, she said a prayer and went on with the labor."

In the labor room, Dr. Muir joked with the young women before she had given birth to the possibly of name the boy Colin, but the women had the name Jeramyia picked out.

Onboard the ship, the Prime Minister of Guyana, Samuel Hinds, received a tour of the USS Iwo Jima and also went ashore to one of the engineering sites where the Continuing Promise 2010 team helped rebuild a school. The team installed a working pump system, electricity throughout the school, rebuilt a fence and fixed a broken basketball hoop. The effort and the effects on the community will have a big impact for the children of Guyana for a long-time to come so it was most appropriate that the site was chosen as the location for the closing ceremonies.

As the Air Force band played their last note and the helicopters packed up, many of the volunteers looked back on Guyana with some good memories and the knowledge of really helping out some small communities.

Photos and story by Kris Radder, HOPE's Volunteer Public Affairs Officer

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5,515 Patients Treated in Guyana

As the humanitarian assistance and health education mission in Guyana finished up last week, Project HOPE volunteers along with the USS Iwo Jima crew were treated with a visit from the President of Guyana, Bharat Jagdeo.

Volunteer, Jeanine Trethewey, a registered nurse from State College, Pennsylvania saw President Jagdeo as he walked though the post operating room and met with fellow Guyanese people that had received medical coverage on the USS Iwo Jima.

"It was an awesome day, we had 10 patients that had surgery today, and 10 people that went home," Jeanine says. "It was very exciting as we had the President of Guyana come though the doors and the smiles on the faces of the Guyanese people was just unbelievable. They were so excited to see him. People had their photos taken with him, he was a very nice gentleman, and he thanked us, and it was very cool."

In Guyana, HOPE volunteers along with their military and other NGO counterparts:

Treated 5,515 patients
Performed 114 surgeries
Participated in 4,108 health education contacts

Check back for more on the Suriname mission soon.

Photos and story by Kris Radder, HOPE's Volunteer Public Affairs Officer

Help Support Project HOPE's Humanitarian, Health Education and Volunteer Programs Around the Globe.

Dr. Ruth Hart

As Project HOPE volunteers begin work in Suriname, Dr. Ruth Hart reflects on her time in Guyana.

Dr. Ruth Hart is an attending emergency medicine physician and also a medical coordinator for the New York State Health Department Office of Professional Medical Conduct. While Dr. Hart has been working in the medical field for over 30 years, she still appreciates what it is like to be a brand new doctor.

"I still remember the day I walked into the emergency room and I was no longer a student," she says. "I walked into the examining room and the first patient I saw had been assaulted. He was very beaten up. I remember running back out of the room to the doctor I was partnering with and telling that physician this patient needs a doctor, now. My partner, who was more experienced then me, looked at me, and put his hands on my shoulder and turned me around, and said, 'You are the doctor.'"

"That was a big moment," Dr. Hart continues. "I was no longer being supervised, and I realized that I was the one where the buck would stop."

Dr. Hart has now expanded her work beyond the emergency room walls on her first volunteer mission with Project HOPE.

"I didn't know what to expect at first," she says. But after being involved and watching the setups of the sites, she was impressed with the organization of the medical clinics. "I think the best part was was seeing the patients in Guyana," she adds. "The people were very lovely and very excited to be seen."

Dr. Hart says she made a point to try to make an impact with every person sitting in front of her, whoever the patient may be.

"I learned a lot by asking them about their jobs, like their work in the sugar cane fields and other various farming jobs," she says. "I was impressed that education was very important in the country, it was a very positive experience."

Photos and story by Kris Radder, HOPE's Volunteer Public Affairs Officer

Help Support Project HOPE's Humanitarian, Health Education and Volunteer Programs Around the Globe.

Reflecting on Work in Guyana

As Project HOPE volunteers begin work in Suriname today, Dr. Steven Saris reflects on his time in Guyana.

Dr. Steven Saris has worked as an internist and primary care medicine physician for 25 years. He recently closed his private practice in order to have more time to work with people in need around the world.

"I have been interested in working with Project HOPE since I was a child," he says. " I remember seeing advertisements on TV about the SS HOPE traveling around the world to care for those in need and seeing the doctors taking care of patients port side," says Dr. Saris. "I always thought that was fascinating and when I got my medical degree that I always hoped that I could do this."

In Guyana, Dr. Saris experienced the inspiration of working alongside doctors from many different areas while caring for patients at the onshore clinics.

"Guyana is a beautiful country, the people were wonderful, they were very thankful of what we had to offer," says Dr. Saris. "The people I worked with, the volunteers were brilliant."

Dr. Saris was also impressed with the people of Guyana. "They were very interested in their health and they wanted to know the proper medical care to relieve their ailments."

He also worked with some of the local medical professionals. "There was a doctor from the town that we were in that came to the clinic everyday to volunteer his time," Dr. Saris said. "He was a great resource for when I had questions about how things are done in Guyana."

Photos and story by Kris Radder, HOPE's Volunteer Public Affairs Officer

Help Support Project HOPE's Humanitarian, Health Education and Volunteer Programs Around the Globe.

Active Day at Medical Clininc

Project HOPE volunteers had an active day working with their military counterparts and other NGOs at a medical site set up onshore in Guyana.



The Air Force band played for the crowds as the kids from a school next door danced in their Sunday’s best. The mood was happy as kids played on a newly finished playground. People were coming in and out of the busy medical site and the rain didn't keep away too many people.

Kirsten Anderson, of the Peace Corps, currently lives around New Amsterdam, Guyana. She found out about the medical clinic though a friend's brother who is serving on the Continuing Promise 2010 mission. Anderson came to the clinic to help out, teaching the people waiting in line to see a doctor about the important use of fluoride and brushing.

"There has been a lot of excitement in my community about the medical clinic,” Anderson says. “When I got home yesterday, everyone was talking about being down here and their experiences in getting to visit with the doctors.”

Yedmattie Edwards is a young mother who brought her two children to the clinic today.
"I was able to get some medication for my children,” she says. She was also grateful for the playground built for the kids in the community by the U.S. military. “We are especially fortunate you made time to help the Guyanese people."

At nearby sites, the Army Vets were checking out family animals and dentists where helping children and adults with damaged teeth.

Despite the busyness of the day, everyone that came into the compound was able to be seen.

Photos and story by Kris Radder, HOPE's Volunteer Public Affairs Officer

Help Support Project HOPE's Humanitarian, Health Education and Volunteer Programs Around the Globe.

Volunteers Arrive in Guyana

All 15 members of the Project HOPE volunteer team arrived safely into Georgetown, Guyana on Sunday and Monday. The volunteer doctors and nurses formally introduced themselves to each other through their personal and medical backgrounds.

In addition to introductions, the volunteers prepared for their health education and humanitarian mission by participating in safety briefings and orientation aboard the USS Iwo Jima.

The team was happy to meet each other, and they are very excited to begin working in Guyana and Suriname.

Medical work is scheduled to begin today.

Photos and story by Kris Radder, HOPE's Volunteer Public Affairs Officer

Help Support Project HOPE's Humanitarian, Health Education and Volunteer Programs Around the Globe.