Tuesday, September 6, 2011

HMMoM is proud to announce Dr. Romel Dorsaint will be the new Medical Director for the Clinique Saint Esprit


After a long and exhaustive search, Haiti Medical Missions of Memphis has found its new Medical Director, Dr. Romel Dorsaint. Dr. Dorsaint will replace Dr. Brooke Trenton, HMMoM's first medical director as she returns to the states to pursue her Masters in Public Health and further her work in international health. The mission of Haiti Medical Missions has always been to support the clinic and staff it locally. The introduction of Dr. Dorsaint to the clinic team is a giant step forward in achieving that goal. Supporting Dr. Dorsaint is possible through a joint partnership with Luke's Mission, an organization that among other activities, provides financial support to Haitians locally in pursuing education for health care fields. Dr. Dorsaint was Luke's Mission's first graduate of the their scholarship program.

Read More at our new website here

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Tour d'Esprit Takes Memphis Runner and Occupational Therapist Far Beyond a One-Mile Loop

As a gifted runner, Jeanie Zelinski has reaped many of the rewards enjoyed by successful athletes: a college scholarship, life-long friends, the exhilaration of competition and the joy of winning.  However, that running would eventually take the 27-year-old Memphian to one of the poorest countries in the world was an unexpected twist that would lead her to a new passion.
“I really knew nothing about Haiti. I was uncomfortable with my life and I just felt like there was more I needed to be doing. I had so much energy and it just seemed to be spinning,” she said. Zelinski, an occupational therapist, became interested in going to Haiti during the 2010 24-Hour Tour d’Esprit race, which benefits Haiti Medical Missions of Memphis (HMMoM).
HMMoM staffs and stocks a medical, dental and rehabilitation clinic in Croix des Bouquets, Haiti. The Holy Spirit clinic treats approximately 200 Haitians each day free of charge. It is one of the few-surviving medical facilities in the Port-au-Prince region after the devastating 2010 earthquake. In addition, as the cholera epidemic persists, the Holy Spirit clinic has become increasingly busy. The 24-Hour Tour d’Esprit is the major funding source for HMMoM.
Zelinski was a member of the winning Breakaway team, which completed an amazing 240 laps around the one-mile course in 24 hours. While at the race, she heard that HMMoM had opened a rehabilitation hospital after the earthquake. She later contacted Susie Kraus, also an occupational therapist and wife of one of the founders of HMMoM, Dr. Gordon Kraus. “Susie told me about the rehab clinic they had opened in Haiti and I thought, I’m a therapist, I can go.”
Zelinski mulled the idea over for several weeks, discussed it with her family and then reality hit. “I had school loans, I had to pay off my truck,” she said. Although HMMoM would pay for her food, lodging, and provide her with a small stipend, the cost of a year without a salary became an obstacle. “I had the time and desire to give but sadly, money was a barrier,” she said. Before she knew it, Memphis runners helped remove that barrier.
           Races were organized to benefit her trip and in three months, the running community had raised enough money to help pay her expenses while she was in Haiti. "The people of Memphis just didn’t quit,” she said.
            In January of 2011 Zelinski began her new life in Haiti. “It was so hard and uncomfortable at first. I wasn’t able to communicate because of the language, I was learning about Haitian customs and I was so afraid of disrespecting someone,” she said. Zelinski likens herself to an oyster being rubbed by sand. “I’ll be a good pearl some day.”
            Although Zelinski’s experiences in Haiti are always evolving, she is getting her bearings and feels that she is making an impact. Along with a physical therapist from Texas and two Chilean therapists, a rehabilitation clinic with a focus on wellness has taken shape. The therapists have established a successful, busy outpatient clinic that treats adults and children during individual sessions, exercise and education classes.
“Disabilities are so traumatic in Haiti. If a child can’t sit up then two lives are completely affected because the mother must take total care of that child,” she said. For one young child with cerebral palsy, the rehabilitation team designed a chair out of a bucket so his mother could allow him to sit independently instead of having to hold him upright.
In addition to patient care, working to unravel the vast landscape of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is another project the rehabilitation team has been working towards. Since the earthquake, HMMoM’s medical complex has become one of the most important facilities in the country. The team has partnered with many NGOs and the Ministry of Health to share supplies and other resources so all donations reach those who are most in need.
 Eventually, she would like to see HMMoM hire Haitian therapists, which would ensure the longevity of the clinic.  Currently, the organization employs 17 Haitians at the medical facility, including two rehab technicians who Zelinski is training.
            Zelinski says she is learning and continues to adjust. She often struggles with her relationships with the Haitians. “They put me on a pedestal and I’m just Jeanie,” she said. She’s also learned to temper her own expectations of herself. “When people have nothing, sometimes they want more than I can give. I can only give rehab. Sometimes I have to put up a wall.”
In spite of this, Zelinski describes her journey as incredible. “I’ve gotten way more out of my experience than I have given. The people are poor but they are so rich in spirit, culture and passion. They put me to shame,” she said. “I love my life. I wouldn’t change what I’m doing.”
Running continues to be a part of Zelinski’s routine in Haiti. “I took Jeanie to Haiti, too, and she has to run. It has always been a part of my life and it has to be part of my life in Haiti,” she said.  While running may be her gift, running has also given Haiti the gift of Jeanie Zelinski.

Sarah Rose



Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Thoughts and Prayers


Today we mark one year since the catastrophic earthquake. Wehonor of the memory of the hundreds of thousands of Haitians lost, their families, and all those who lost love ones on this day. Many of us were struck humble by this overwhelming tragedy and also humanity's capacity to come together in times of crisis. In humility we continue to lend our support and prayers to theHaitian people, whose strength and courage it would seem isalways put to test, especially in this last year.

From the first moments of the disaster, the HMMoM community came together to aid in the recovery through our clinic and laterthrough our rehab center. Over the last year, thousands ofpatients affected by the earthquake have come through our doorsin hope of finding a small measure of medical or rehabilitativesupport, and thanks to the generosity of this community, we were able to meet their needs. There is still more work to be done, and as many continue to rebuild their homes and theirlives, our pact with the Haitian people remains resolute for the years and likely decades it willtake to heal this wounded country. While today commemorates a somber day in Haiti's history, in the spirit of this concord, Haiti Medical Missions of Memphis is proud to partner with Union de Jeunes Victimes de Seisme de 12 Janvier 2010 (Association of Young Victims of the January 12, 2010 Earthquake) in a holding soccer game as a demonstration of triumph over adversity and the endearing hope of brighter days.

In the states, Haiti Medical Missions of Memphis will host a non-denominational prayer service at 7 P.M. at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 2300 Hickory Crest

Here in Croix-des Bouquet, HMMoM is hosting an all day event and soccer game for the Association of Young Earthquake Victims, many of whose members, were patients in our rehab center.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Another Successful Tour d'Esprit Thanks to the Running Community

Haiti is a country that has long endured considerable suffering; however, 2010 had been especially cruel beginning with the calamitous earthquake in January. Since then, the people of Haiti have faced unimaginable tragedy. Medical needs have been greater than ever and the Memphis running community rose to the occasion with an outpouring of support at the 12th Annual Tour d’Esprit.
Record-breaking team Breakaway.
The 24-hour race, the main funding source for Haiti Medical Missions of Memphis, was thankfully very successful this year.  Numerous records were set on the course including the amazing 240 laps completed by the Breakaway Team. Participation records were also set as the number of teams increased from 23 in 2009 to 34; and the number of registrants grew from 784 to 975.
Immediately after the earthquake, Haiti Medical Missions of Memphis was one of the few medical organizations able to care for victims. The clinic doctors and nurses at the Holy Spirit Clinic in Croix des Bouquets continue to treat about 100 patients a day and are again on the frontline working to contain the cholera epidemic.  The rehabilitation hospital, opened in March of 2010, is an amazing one-of-a-kind facility where Haitians receive outpatient and inpatient physical and occupational therapy.
Tent city in Haiti.
 Memphis runners are a vital part of allowing Haiti Medical Missions of Memphis to continue to provide health care to the Haitian people free of charge. Since the earthquake, medical facilities are very sparse and the need for supplies and personnel at the facility has increased dramatically. Support at the 12th Annual Tour d’Esprit was desperately needed, especially in light of the recent cholera epidemic.
Runners camped out.
Planning for next year’s event September 29 - October 1 has already begun.  Race organizers are looking forward to even more runners competing in this fun-filled 24-hour family event. Mark your calendar for the 13th Annual Tour d’Esprit. Your participation supports the ongoing mission to give health and hope to the people of Haiti.





Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Editorial Cupcake: Finding Solid Ground Beyond Suburbia

Editorial Cupcake: Finding Solid Ground Beyond Suburbia: "The following entry was written in part to raise awareness for Haiti Medical Missions of Memphis (HMMoM) and the upcoming fund raiser Octobe..."

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Flu Vaccine

The Flu Vaccine wil be available for $20.00 from 7:00a.m. until 10:00 a.m. on Saturday October 2nd at the race site. $8.00 per vaccine will be donated back to Haiti! Thanks To Dr. Barbara Geater for offering this service!

2009 Tour d' Esprit Winners

OVERALL M. Richard Martin 84 miles
OVERALL F. Gina Sheets 80 miles

F 0-9 Ashlyn Barclay 18 miles
M 0-9 Charlie Nichols 19 miles

F 10-14 Mary Pat Harris 35 miles
M 10-14 Harrison Staub 40 miles

F 15-19 Jennifer Harris 35 miles
M 15-19 Thomas Barnhart 40 miles

F 20-24 Emily Harris 13 miles
M 20-24 Stephen Harris 9 miles

F 25-29 Alissa Schild 32 miles
M 25-29 Daniel Connolly 4 miles

F 30-34 Shannon Burke 35 miles
M 30-34 Duane Dickerson 27 miles

F 35-39 Emily Conley 50 miles
M 34-39 Andrew Strickland 63 miles

F 40-44 Angela Ivory 80 miles
M 40-44 Michael Hudson 52 miles

F 45-49 Cheryl Ann Roe 61 miles
M 45-49 Robert Kyle 62 miles

F 50-54 Susan Chism 52 miles
M 50-54 Mark Higginbotham 80 miles

F 55-59 Jan Show 71 miles
M 55-59 Wayne Simpson 55 miles

F 60-64 Dorrie Hulsey 45 miles
M 60-64 Jack Bickerest 54 miles

F 65 + Hilde Haynes 60 miles
M 65 + Jim Briske 10 miles

OVERALL TEAM Pilgrimage Men 209 miles
FEMALE TEAM Pilgrimage Women 173 miles
COED TEAM Speedy Cats 196 miles
YOUTH TEAM Tennessee Rush Girls 124 miles