Milford Regional Medical Professionals Reach Out in Haiti
Christopher LeSiege, PA-C
with Haitian children
“Going to Haiti was one of the most challenging yet profoundly rewarding experiences of my life. It was so difficult to see the harsh juxtaposition between life and death and the massive devastation. Yet living and interacting with the Haitians revealed them to be extremely resilient and strong with a resounding faith. The one thing that we were told over and over by almost every person was ‘please don’t forget about us,’” recalls Chris.
After stopping in three airports and experiencing a harrowing ride through the mountains, Reynold Dahl, MD and Christopher LeSiege, PA-C arrived in Léogane, Haiti just a few weeks after the devastating earthquake struck. Dr. Dahl, a family medicine physician at Whitinsville Medical Center, and Christopher LeSiege, a Thoracic Surgery Physician Assistant at Milford Regional, traveled with a group of volunteers from Mission E4. This mission, based in Hubbardston, MA, runs an orphanage and school in Léogane and a school in Fouche, Haiti.
Léogane is located about twenty miles west of Port-au-Prince. It is actually closer than Port-au-Prince to the epicenter of the earthquake, resulting in the destruction of over 90% of the buildings and homes. Dr. Dahl and Chris traveled with Dr. Patricia Glover, a family practitioner; Sandy Holt, an ED nurse practitioner; and John Montielle, a Haitian who was returning to Haiti for the first time in 19 years. John was a tremendous help serving as an interpreter for the volunteers and patients.
The two physicians, assistants and interpreters were able to see 700 patients during the course of the week in a make-shift treatment room inside the Léogane orphanage and in Fouche. Aftershocks in Fouche sent the medical team outside to care for patients under a huge, beautiful tree. The tree provided needed shade, and in the midst of such massive destruction, it became an incredible symbol of beauty and life.
Milford Regional provided much needed medical supplies to assist Dr. Dahl and others
in their efforts to treat such illnesses as malaria, pneumonia, dengue fever, worms, scabies and lacerations. “Our team is deeply appreciative for the generous donation of supplies we were able to take to Haiti from Milford Regional,” said Dr. Dahl. “Special thanks to Ed Kelly (president of Milford Regional) for making that happen.”
Reynold Dahl, MD examines a patient
Reynold Dahl, MD’s only regret during his relief trip to Haiti was the limited time he had to provide care to those in need. So, he is excited about plans to return with Chris LeSiege in July to continue where they left off.
The day before the group left Haiti to return to the U.S., a national day of mourning took place. “I was fortunate and privileged to sit with about 300 people who gathered next door to the orphanage as they held services on Haiti’s national day of mourning,” Dr. Dahl recalled. “I saw people with sad eyes, but of strong faith and a resilient spirit.” Although it was difficult to leave Haiti with so many people in need, Dr. Dahl found comfort in knowing that two Haitian nurses hired by Mission E4 to work with the medical team throughout the week were going to continue providing medical care in Léogane. Unfortunately, the rainy season, which has recently arrived, will increase the mosquito population resulting in widespread malaria and dengue fever.
Reynold Dahl, MD, was grateful for the medical supplies Milford Regional provided for his recent trip to Haiti. Pictured above, Dr. Dahl discusses his trip with Ed Kelly, president, through photographs he took while there.
“We applaud Dr. Dahl and Chris LeSiege for their tremendous kindness and caring in traveling to Haiti to provide much needed medical services to the victims of the earthquake. We were happy to provide Dr. Dahl and Chris with the resources to support them during their visit. Their service to the Haitian people was heroic and a wonderful example of the compassion and generous spirit that exemplifies so many of the physicians and staff who work at Milford Regional,” said Ed Kelly, president.
Mission E4 hopes to send a group to Haiti each month for the foreseeable future. Dr. Dahl and Chris have already committed to return in July. For more information about the mission or to make a donation, please visit missione4.com.