Scholars suggest and experts agree that Global Health Force’s trip to Haiti and the Dominican Republic this May was one of the greatest medical missions of the modern era.  Once again, the ubiquitously respected yet remarkably humble Dr. Thuy Tran and her team of natural-born world shakers were able to effectively transport some of America’s finest health care to some of the world’s most underserved populations.

The astounding success of this mission began with the backbone of Global Health Force (GHF): the Pharmacy.  In past GHF clinics, the pharmacy has often struggled to keep up with the prescription orders for the hundreds of patients who have been waiting sometimes hours for medical care.  On this trip, however, the pharmacy not only filled prescriptions with lightning speed, but also handed out baseball cards.  This level of efficiency can be at least partially attributed to the fact that 60 percent of the pharmacy volunteers on the trip were attorneys.  However, as all volunteers for Haiti/DR 2011 can attest to, the main factors contributing to the competence displayed by the pharmacy volunteers were clearly hard work and good looks.

Another bright spot in the GHF rotation for Haiti/DR 2011 was the equally good-looking nursing staff.  When not posing for pictures with the cutest kids ever or icing their ears from hours of stethoscope abuse, these wonderful nurses could always be seen putting smiles on faces of anxious Haitian and Dominican patients.  The nursing group, which consisted of savvy elder stateswoman Elaine, spiritual leader Bissonne, body fluid specialist Kat, palliative care expert Noriko, and the heroic male-nurse Cullen, can also be proud of accomplishments such as setting up a mobile ICU for a patient experiencing seizures and getting the entire clinic dancing during “Nurse Time!”.

Global Health Force also brought a terrific, diverse, and experienced group of healthcare practitioners to Haiti and the Dominican Republic.  These MD’s, NP’s, and PA’s always knew exactly which antibiotic to prescribe and exactly where to apply antifungal ointments.

The Haiti/DR 2011 GHF volunteers as a whole displayed enormous heart by bringing their years of training thousands of miles to help strangers in one of the most impoverished places in the world.  This is what I love most about Global Health Force and why I will continue to go on GHF missions as long as I can contribute: the privilege of spending time with a group of people with hearts so big.  If we were able to give back to the people in our clinics just a fraction of the joy that we volunteers take from the trips, I am happy.

Cullen Torsney