Life Changing Experience Opportunity at HAS
Thirteen years ago, our youngest child had been out of college for one year. The others had settled into stable lifestyles. My wife, Ann Marie, and I made a decision to leave my very busy practice of cardiovascular-thoracic surgery and to spend two years at Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti (HAS). This was a decision we have never regretted. The time in Deschapelles was very busy but productive. While in Haiti, we met and worked with great individuals from many different countries, welcomed short term volunteers, and were able to become totally centered around the work of HAS. I was able to serve as medical director and chief of surgery. We were also privileged to be able to work with the hospital’s co-founder, Gwen Mellon. During that time there were no telephones or internet service on the campus and cell phones had yet to arrive in Haiti. Now, internet and cell phones make communication quite easy both for local as well as international needs.
HAS currently has three Haitian surgeons – two work during the week and a third works on the weekends. Anesthesia is provided by one excellent nurse anesthetist who has been at HAS for many years, and a variety of nurse anesthetists and anesthesiologists who are periodically available. There is a great need now for one more long term surgeon and anesthetist or anesthesiologist who could serve for one to two years. The operating rooms at HAS have been recently renovated and a third major room opened. Although this would be essentially a volunteer position, lodging and possibly food would be provided. This is an ideal situation for a physician or nurse anesthetist who is considering or planning retirement but would like to spend an additional year or more in a highly productive, challenging environment.
The person or persons filling these positions must be open to a life changing experience that will deeply color the remainder of their lives. For more information, please contact: John Judson through this site or - drjudson@aol.com. Tel 717-877-0871.
