OAM Colleagues:
As our team departs to meet Greg Golladay in Haiti I would like to make just a couple of comments.
First, thanks to all who have involved themselves in any way. Many have made supportive phone calls or e-mails. Many have called administrators, hospital leaders, industry leaders and supply companies, and others have offered personal support or volunteered.
More importantly, office staff and partners have agreed to cross cover us and our patients so that we can serve in this manner. Matt, Jim, and I truly appreciate this.
Dr. Asperheim has done a great job in coordinating and I would point out that he certainly needs additional support as this effort moves forward.
We hope to be in contact on a somewhat regular basis to give progress reports and fill our needs and impressions on how to refine our attempts to help in Haiti. This blog will be where we post reports and provide information on how donations can be made.
I had a conversation with Todd McCormick from PIH and he reiterated to me that Partners In Health are in fact very supportive of what we are attempting to do. Unfortunately they can’t provide frequent flight support into and out of Haiti yet and logistics are overwhelming for them. This requires us to put some of the logistical work upon ourselves. Since many of you have contacts in private industry and other places, can you please reach out to see if we can partner with them, share private flights, etc.?
WZZM 13 was just here interviewing us before we took off about how the practice has rallied around Haiti. Though it’s hard to be on camera, it’s our hope that we can put a West Michigan face on the cause and help lead others to make contributions of time and resources to help. Though today it will be the three of us physically on the ground in Port-au-Prince, we know that we represent all of the OAMers back at the ranch who have lent their time, energy prayers and support to get us to Haiti. And that others will be following us down.
Plane is about to leave.
Thanks,
David J. Bielema, M.D.
James Ringler, M.D.
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Love what your doing. I’m so glad that you were connected with the right people to get you all to Haiti. Amazing what you can do there. All week I have been so eager to go to Haiti and longing to help out in any way and help all those kids. My husband has shoulder surgery tomorrow w/ Dr. Demaadg and he had arm surgery 12 years ago with Dr Bielema when his brother was killed. I’ll pray for you all down there and I’m sure God will guide your hands.