We will offer basic medical services to all patients – Dominican, Haitian, and Haitian/Dominican – through mobile medical clinics. We will also provide educational opportunities for young physicians in training in the US and on Hispaniola. We engage locally in the Dominican Republic with any and all interested community groups, hospitals and health care facilities, and service organizations. We have developed strong personal associations with local entities and authorities over our 30 year existence, and continue to do so.
CCMH exists for the benefit of all people on Hispaniola with a focus on marginalized populations. In particular, Haitians who are recruited to work in the sugar cane fields, along with their family members, represent an markedly impoverished and undeserved population. In addition, inmates incarcerated in local and national penal facilities represent a particularly unique and woefully undeserved group.
The health of our patients and their communities will be improved through the delivery of healthcare services to address acute needs, as well as educational efforts to impart healthier choices in the context of limited resources and options, thereby fostering ongoing improvement in the overall health of individuals and their communities.
We had a terrific week in La Romana. Our team included classmates from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Class of 1981; faculty and residents from the USA Emergency Medicine; Rotarians and friends. Working with long term local partners we saw 1300 patients. The teamwork was incredible as we faced and overcame hiccoughs large and small.
Our whirlwind week included the following clinics: Monday carcel Seibo, Tuesday batey Palo Bonito, Wednesday preventiva and carcel Higuey, Thursday Guyamate batey, and Friday preventiva Romana. The bateys are rudimentary housing complexes for the Haitians and their families who come to work the sugar cane fields; the jails and prisons are high density with challenges in hygiene and myriad associated issues. We held outpatient clinics and examined and treated adults and children, providing limited pharmaceuticals and making select referrals to our local partners.
Altogether, it was an exhilarating week, great teamwork, and impactful for both our team and those we served. We appreciate the Doximity Foundation supporting our efforts to make the world just a little bit better.
