Haiti

The Geisel effort in Haiti is part of a broader institution-wide Dartmouth/Haiti Partnership that engages Tuck, Thayer, and undergraduate communities. Since Dartmouth’s intensive involvement in Haiti relief efforts following the 2010 earthquake, there have been a number of health initiatives undertaken. Recently, Dr. Peter Wright, a pediatric infectious disease specialist, led an effort funded by PEPFAR to strengthen HIV and TB care in the south western city of Les Cayes. At the invitation of the Ministry of Health, Dartmouth colleagues have joined forces with collaborators from the University of Miami to determine the pathway for improving trauma and critical care in the country. With nongovernmental organization Saint Boniface and the Kellogg Foundation, the Dartmouth team is considering how best to establish a network for maternal/infant care the in southern peninsula.

Dr. Peter Wright (left) with staff members of Hopital Imaculee Conception in Les Cayes, outside the Infectious Disease ward. (Photo courtesy of William Young, MD)
Dr. Peter Wright (left) with staff members of Hopital Imaculee Conception in Les Cayes, outside the Infectious Disease ward. (Photo courtesy of William Young, MD)

Additionally, Dr. Wright works with GHESKIO to sustain an HIV/ Infectious Disease Center of Excellence in Port-au-Prince and engages Geisel faculty and students in annual projects aimed at improving HIV care.

A Tele-Medical Education initiative led by Dr. Brian Remillard has broadcast over ‪80 weekly lectures given by Haitian, US, and Canadian, faculty for physicians, social service residents, and medical students at more than 7 sites in Haiti. Moving forward, the team is working on the launch of joint nursing and resident sessions. Members of the Orthopedics and Radiology departments make frequent trips to increase capacity in their specialties. Collaborations with the University Hospital of Mirebalais run by Partners in Health may provide opportunities for training and service.

The Porter Symposium: Haiti and Dartmouth at the Crossroads was held on February 20th-22nd, 2013. The symposium brought together 63 experts across disciplines including leaders from the Haitian government, NGOs, private sector, and academia. ‪This convening launched the current work on developing networks to improve trauma and critical care and maternal/infant care.