Haiti a year later — medical center response featured in new book

A year ago today a massive 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti. In the immediate aftermath and for several months after that, UNMC deployed teams of medical center volunteers to assist the ravaged nation.

Five teams would travel to Haiti and have what many volunteers describe as "life-changing experiences." Their work is documented in a new book, "Help and Hope for Haiti," edited by Rubens Pamies, M.D., UNMC vice chancellor for academic affairs and native of Haiti.

"We wanted to put together a tribute to the many people who — without thought about the inherent dangers — put their lives on hold to help the Haitian people," Dr. Pamies said. "Their compelling stories and photographs describe the challenges of providing care in a fractured medical system and country.

"In addition, we wanted to document the ongoing, international efforts of UNMC to rebuild the medical education infrastructure."

Below is an excerpt from medical center nurse, Jeffrey Peters, who was part of the medical center’s fifth deployment.

"…I was prepared for pulling shattered people from shattered buildings and fixing them up. … I was not prepared for month four, post earthquake, and to be the housekeeper of those who did not know they were supposed to be dead.

"The ward held 53 patients. Most did not have a bed, just a cot. If they did not have a family member to bring them food or turn them, they did not eat or move. Bed sores were nearly universal.

"I cannot say enough about the durability of the Haitian soul. Most people would have withered under conditions half as traumatic as they have endured. They survive. They are so thankful for the littlest thing you do for them. The smiles on their faces are what I remember most about Haiti, not the horrors."

The book is available at the UNMC bookstore, online at unmcbookstore.com and at amazon.com and bn.com.

All procceeds from the book will go to the UNMC Haitian Relief and Outreach Fund to support ongoing relief efforts.