Jameson Health System Aids in Haiti Relief Support

New Castle , PA – February 18, 2010 - Dr. Jim Gardner III left on January 29^th with his brother, Mark, who is a medical resident to aid in Haiti relief support. They flew to Port Au Prince, Haiti to provide medical care and perform surgeries. The doctors' father and grandfather were both physicians of Jameson Health System. Supplies donated by Jameson included medications, antibiotics, suture kits, sutures, dressings and pain relievers.

Dr. Gardner returned from Haiti late Sunday night, February 7^th.  He said, “It is hard to describe the destruction and poor living conditions that we witnessed; it is much worse than I had anticipated.”  He went on to say that the diseases treated in Haiti are unheard of in the US and have become worse in Haiti since the earthquake.   Scabies infesting more than 50% of the body and complicated by diffuse cellulitis, malaria, typhoid, dysentery, severe malnutrition, rat bites, and pneumonia were a few of the medical challenges faced by the team.   Surgically, as was expected, there were many wounds and abscesses that required extensive complicated debridement.  Dr. Gardner went on to say, “To our surprise there was still a need for further amputations and my brother (Mark) along with a general surgeon were able to provide these in the operating room that was constructed in a previous school room.  The supplies received for the team from Jameson Hospital , Dr. Shober/Dr. Fazioli, Dr. Enoch (Kidney Group), Dr. Uberti/Dr. Shroyer, and Joe Reagle with Artificial Limb were invaluable in treating these patients.”  

Dr. Gardner’s medical team was composed of fourteen people, an orthopedic surgeon, a general surgeon, five family doctors, a pediatrician, a physician assistant student, two registered nurses and two support staff, from the states of Pennsylvania , Ohio , Michigan and Oklahoma .
Organization of the team was made possible through the efforts of a Christian family practice residency program, In His Image Family Practice Residency Program, out of Tulsa , Oklahoma where Dr. Gardner trained.  The website, www.inhisimage.org, posts regular updates.

"In five days, our team treated over 1500 people, performed hundreds of complicated procedures and delivered five babies.  This is a small impact on the grand scale of what needs to be done, but for those we tended, it was life changing,” commented Dr. Gardner.

In all Dr. Gardner and his team observed that despite the extreme devastation, the people of Haiti still have hope.  It was very clear that they are a strong and resilient people. Dr. Gardner said, “I thank God that He gave us an opportunity to be a part of meeting the basic needs of these beautiful people.  It was a mountain top experience!”

Anyone interested in giving financial donations, can contact Dr. Gardner.  He was able to establish contacts in Haiti that are in great need of financial support, particularly an orphanage and nursing home that are attempting to rebuild. 

James L. Gardner, III , MD, a member of the Jameson Hospital Medical/Dental Staff since 2005, specializes in family medicine and strives to serve the community by providing quality whole person healthcare in a Christ centered environment.  Family Medical Care of Lawrence County is located at 150 North New Castle Street , New Wilmington.  The telephone number is 724-946-3564 .