Press Release January 12, 2010

The Association of Haitian Physicians Abroad (AMHE), South Florida Chapter is saddened by the news of the devastating earthquake that hit on Haiti on Tuesday January 12, 2010. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and the families of the people of Haiti who are affected by this disaster.

We stand ready to collaborate with other organizations in order to coordinate the relief efforts. We are trying to establish contact with the Red Cross and the authorities in Haiti to determine their most urgent needs.

In the interim, monetary donation is probably the best option. Donations for the relief efforts can be made to our Chapter by clicking on the "Donations" link below.

Please, Click Here to Make Your Donation Now.

The AMHE Foundation South Florida Chapter Inc. is a registered 501c.3 organization, and your donation may be tax deductible to the extent provided by the law. One hundred percent of your donations go the relief efforts. All Executive Board Members and AMHE members are volunteers. There is no salaried employee, and no administrative overhead.

Earthquake Update January 15, 2010

Medical Flights to Haiti

In collaboration with the University of Miami and Project Medishare, we are coordinating volunteers who are willing to travel to Haiti to provide medical assistance to the Earthquake victims. The flights can only accommodate 12 passengers at a time, and depart from South Florida to Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Priority will be given to medical professionals with training or experience in Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, Trauma Surgeons, and Orthopedists.

Volunteers, please fill out this registration form.

Flight Logistics:

• Bring your passport

• One backpack or carry-on luggage with enough food and water to sustain yourself for three days

• A sleeping bag

You will be contacted once there is availability for you to depart.

Thank you for your continued support.

Dr Merisier

Earthquake Update January 16, 2010

Some of our volunteers are currently on the ground providing much needed medical attention to the Earthquake victims. Unfortunately, we no longer have access to the medical flights organized by the University of Miami/Project Medishare group.

We are diligently working to get additional aircrafts with larger capacity to provide air transportation for medical volunteers and medical supplies.

We have met with administration officials who understand this is a matter of utmost priority to provide basic medical care that could prevent additional deaths.

Please continue to sign up as volunteers by using the online registration form.

We would like to remind you that one of the best ways to help is to donate money to the Chapter, so we can purchase the adequate medical supplies, and channel the aide to the appropriate relief agencies in Haiti.

Thank you for your continued support.

Dr Merisier

On My Way To Haiti: Dr Merisier • January 17, 2010

I am on my way to Haiti this morning, on a small airplane seating 8 passengers, donated by a friend philanthropist, departing from Fort-Lauderdale Executive Airport, scheduled to land in PAP, Haiti at 1:00 pm.

The purpose of my trip is to evaluate the logistics of getting the medical volunteers and medical supplies from the airport to the most effective destination(s) in PAP, as determined by the Haitian Government.

Will my contacts in Haiti please arrange for me to meet, at the airport, with Dr Claude Surena, the newly nominated "Health Crisis Coordinator"? In addition, please arrange for transportation for the rest of the team from the airport to the headquarters of the University of Miami/Project Medishare team at Villa Creole.

I am planning on returning to Fort-Lauderdale today. I will probably not have access to my cellphone or email, but I will respond to my messages later as soon as possible.

Keep up the good work.

Dr Merisier

NBC 6 Miami • News Report • January 19, 2010

Haitian Doctors: Let Us Help Our People

AMHE Relief Mission Group • Progress Report • January 25, 2010

The Association of Haitian Physicians abroad deployed today to Port-au-Prince another contingent of Physicians and Nurses divided into two groups. I st group is leaving from JFK will arrive to Haiti via DR.

Jean Bernard Poulard, MD Team Leader, Georges Angus, MD, Team leader, Micheline Dole, MD, Julius Garvey, MD, Lionel Lefevre, MD, Calvin Mathieu, MD
Emmanuel Hostin, MD, Gardy Joseph, MD, Anthony Boutin, MD, Gerald Augustin, PA, M Ortelou, Boyer, RN, N. Carvallo PT, Ridgeley Ochs, John Williams, Carole Dubuche MD, Sabrina Jasmin RN

A second group is leaving from Florida should arrive early morning. Vladimir Berthaud MD (AMHE Team Leader), Nissage Cadet, MD (Vascular Surgery),  David Young MD (Trauma Surgeon and Critical Care), Gregory Dale-Casey MD (Trauma Surgeon and Critical Care), Jean Claude Desmangles MD (Pediatric Endocrinology), Vernat Exil MD (Pediatric Cardiology), Rubens Pamies MD from Nebraska University. Many nurses are included.

We are replacing individuals who had returned, but we clearly have sent so far a total close to 150 medical personnel ( from FL and NY) to the center of this horrific disaster. We are grateful to Voluntary Ministries for using their planes free of charge. We thank the members who have paid their own ticket to help Haiti.

Our AMHE Relief Mission team in the field in Port au Prince are Dr Pierre-Paul Cadet (Family Medicine), Maxime Coles, MD (Orthopedist), Dr Mildred Olivier (Ophthalmologist), and Dr Serge Pierre Louis (Neurologist). Dr Cadet is working with the Haitian Red Cross to develop better logistics: tent accommodations.. etc. If you need to reach any of these individuals, please call Dr PP Cadet at the General Hospital at 011-509-37896363. In the United States, email us at amhereliefmission@amhe.org,  pnacier@aol.com, or eljerome@pol.net.