The Orthopaedic Institute’s medical team leaves for Haiti

 
20 January 2010 A medical team from The Orthopaedic Institute (Jason J. Rosenberg, M.D., Stephen Waters, M.D., Amanda Maxey, M.D., and Dale McDilda, S.T.) left this morning for Haiti with the logistical assistance of Attorney General Bill McCollum, United States Senators Bill Nelson & George LeMieux. Further, with the generous assistance of the University of Florida Foundation, the medical team was able to use their plane and to embark on the chartered flight to Haiti.

The goal of this mission is to provide medical support to the injured people in the area of Port-au-Prince Haiti after the devastating earthquake on January 12, 2010.

Once the medical team arrives in Haiti, the southern command has offered to assist with transportation to the areas in need of medical assistance. The group plans to meet up with civilian and military surgeons, who are already engaged in the relief efforts.

Dr. Maxey says "the ability to use our surgical skills to help relieve the suffering of the injured is a great privilege and this is an excellent opportunity to give back to those in dire need."

An out pouring of community support from The Orthopaedic Institute, Orthopaedic Surgery Center, North Florida Regional Medical Center and Shands has provided many of the needed medical supplies in Haiti, such as:

• Gloves 
• Masks 
• Sani-Cloths 
• Marcaine (numbing medicine) 
• Hand Sanitizer 
• Suture Sets
• Surgical Instruments 
• Durable Medical Equipment (leg and arm immobilizers) 
• Casting and Splinting materials 
• Basic OR supplies
• Surgical masks 
• Gigli Saws (for amputations)

They plan to provide medical services for 7 to 10 days.

Dr. Rosenberg says, "fire fighters, police and military are the true heroes and always the ones running in when others are running away. This is a unique way for doctors to contribute in the same manner."

To get up to date information on TOI’s medical team in Haiti please visit www.twitter.com/toihealth. The Orthopaedic Institute plans to donate $1 per follower up to $5,000 to the American Red Cross for the relief efforts in Haiti.

TOI Press Release for Haiti 1-20-10.pdf