To contact us Click HERE
Well if you haven't figured it out yet, I am no longer at the hospital in Haiti, I've been home now for just a little less than two weeks. Coming home has been an emotional roller coaster to say the least. It has been wonderful to be able to see my wife and boys on a daily basis rather than a month or more in between. But it has been very hard to re-inculturate to life in the developed world and all of the daily luxury that we take for granted. It's been even harder to hear of continued and in some cases increased challenges at the hospital and feel so far away and unable to help. That said, I have actually been able to assist the hospital and those working there from afar in a number of different ways since my return to the states. I have spent many hours over the past 10 days meeting and debriefing with AHI management and LLUGHI support staff to try and improve our overall effectiveness in helping the ongoing mission at the hospital. I have also continued work with a number of our partner organizations to foster additional donations of supplies and medical equipment. While I don't know if, or when, I will return to the hospital, I assure you my work there will continue for the foreseeable future.
Loma Linda University and AHI's continued involvement
Early this morning a team of LLU/AHI administration and support staff arrived at Hopital Adventiste for a hospital board meeting and exploratory visit. The team is:
Dr. Richard Hart - President AHI & LLU
Jerry Daly - Asst. VP LLU GHI
Mo O'Reilly - Project Manager GHI
Kenneth Breyer - Asst. VP LLU Construction Services
Nathan Lindsey - Potential Long-term volunteer for HAH
Please keep this team and the entire hospital board in your prayers over the next few days. The issues they will be debating in this board meeting will define the immediate and long-term future of Hopital Adventiste d'Haiti.
This blog and others
I will try to continue to update this blog with news from the hospital, albeit with even less frequency. That said, here are a couple of other blogs from folks currently at the hospital or those that have visited recently:
Cure Caribe by Dr. Scott Nelson - Currently working at HAH
Haitibones by Dr. Jim Matiko - Visited HAH two weeks ago and plans to return soon
DavidinHaiti by David Harris - College student volunteering at HAH spring & summer of 2010
28 Nisan 2012 Cumartesi
LLU Strategy For Hopital Adventiste d'Haiti
To contact us Click HERE
Loma Linda University (LLU) and its partners are continuing to work to support the Hopital Adventiste d'Haiti in Port-au-Prince. LLU is not alone in these efforts. Together they are pooling their resources and are working closely with Park Ridge Adventist Hospital/AHS, Florida Hospital, CURE International, Life Enhancement Association for People (LEAP), and Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA).
The following strategy update was posted yesterday on the Global Health Institute website.
The following strategy update was posted yesterday on the Global Health Institute website.
- The need for additional medical teams continues, but as we move forward the composition of these teams will change to reflect current needs at the hospital. Keep in mind the needs change almost daily.
- As of April 20, 2010, the "Dream Team" includes:
- 1-2 Orthopaedic Surgeons
- 1 General Surgeon
- 1-2 Anesthesiologists (MDs and CRNAs)
- 1-2 ER Physicians
- 1-2 Pediatricians
- 4-8 RNs of whom 2-4 with OR and ER experience
- 1-2 Physical Therapists and/or Occupational Therapists
- 2 Pharmacists
- 2+ Central Supply Personnel
- 2 Utilities and Maintenance Personnel
- We also welcome applications from OB-GYNs, PAs,NPs and other health care professionals. We would like to keep the number of our teams to about 25-30 people on any given week.
- The teams will work at the Adventist Hospital.
- The current strategy is to send in teams for at least a 9 day cycle (Teams arrive on Friday and leave on Sunday.) A longer term of service is preferred.
- LLU will maintain and manage the schedule of the various teams and provide them with information about their trip and tips about what to bring, etc.
- Selection and composition of the particular teams will be done with input from all the partners mentioned above in close consultation with the administration at the Adventist Hospital of Haiti. It is very important that we send essential personnel in an organized manner so as to not strain already limited support resources.
- LLU and our partners are committed to support our hospital in the months to come. These efforts will build on local available resources under the leadership of Lesly Archer, MD, Medical Director for the Adventist Hospital and supported by Orthopedic Surgeon, Scott Nelson, MD.
Reposted from haitibones.org - thanks Jim
Facility Improvements
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The post below was authored by Scott Nelson, MD, Director of Orthopaedic Surgery at Hopital Adventiste d'Haiti. Hopefully this will give donors an idea where their hard earned dollars are being spent.
However, it goes without saying that the needs are great and more funding is needed to further renovate this facility. Please consider donating to the project here.
This post also demonstrates the need for qualified nonmedical volunteers. Please contact LLU Global Health to determine if HAH could use your services.
Volunteers donated US $1 bills to each of the young boys who filled a trash bag with the loose trash that was strewn around the campus. As the donations begin to run out before all the trash was collected the participants were glad to pick up 2 bags per dollar. Our campus is now clean.
Rooms in the southwest wing were never finished after the initial construction phase 5 years ago.
Plumbing fixtures and painting was completed by Dr Peter Nelson and Arpad Soo from San Luis Obispo, CA. The rooms are now ready for patients. We thank the generous donors of Amistad International for the plumbing hardware that was purchased locally as well as in the US.
One of the biggest challenges in preparing these rooms was fixing the sewer system which had been plumbed to drain the toilets onto the front lawn. Arpad, Jerry and crew worked day and night digging trenches around the raw sewage and placing the appropriate drain pipes. 
Another peculiarity is why the toilet inflow was plumbed into the hot water pipes. Thank you to the expertise of our plumbing crew and their hard work most of these problems are now resolved. 
Arpad worked most nights until after midnight repairing leaks and faucets around the hospital. 
This very important sink in which we scrub our hands before surgery now has new foot pedals thanks to a donation from Ferguson Enterprises in Santa Maria, CA. It is important to use high quality materials as the elements are intense and these sinks sustain a high volume of use.
Liz Dickinson, RN, Vice President of Nursing at Loma Linda University Medical Center transformed our operating room with her friend Sylvia. We thank LLUMC and Liz for her hard work and the amazing improvements that were made.
Before this past week, there were still cupboards stuffed with instruments from years past. Liz, Sylvia, and the Haitian nurses sorted through all of them.
Some sterile packaging of unused instruments dated back to 1952.
The "before" shot below of the central sterilization area.
The "after" shot below. The newly painted cupboards are awaiting placement of well organized instruments.
New shelving was placed in the sterilization area after relocating the decontamination sink to a separate room.
In spite of our very low infection rate, measures are being taken to continue to make safety improvements for our OR. This decontamination sink had its faucets and drains replaced this week and it was placed in the decontamination room where instruments will be scrubbed prior to bringing them into the sterilization area for final wrapping.
Peter Nelson, DDS (on the right below) poses with Kyle Fiess of Maranatha. He used this hammer drill to make approximately 60 holes in the 10 inch walls of the southeast wing through which the entire plumbing system will be replaced. Prior to the earthquake the low pressure partially functioning water system delivered water to various plumbing fixtures, many of which were in disrepair. With the installation of a high volume inflow system and increased water pressure many leaks became apparent. This was causing a loss of approximately 7000 gallons of water per day into the walls, foundation, and electrical system of the hospital. 
The post below was authored by Scott Nelson, MD, Director of Orthopaedic Surgery at Hopital Adventiste d'Haiti. Hopefully this will give donors an idea where their hard earned dollars are being spent.
However, it goes without saying that the needs are great and more funding is needed to further renovate this facility. Please consider donating to the project here.
This post also demonstrates the need for qualified nonmedical volunteers. Please contact LLU Global Health to determine if HAH could use your services.
Volunteers donated US $1 bills to each of the young boys who filled a trash bag with the loose trash that was strewn around the campus. As the donations begin to run out before all the trash was collected the participants were glad to pick up 2 bags per dollar. Our campus is now clean.
Rooms in the southwest wing were never finished after the initial construction phase 5 years ago.Plumbing fixtures and painting was completed by Dr Peter Nelson and Arpad Soo from San Luis Obispo, CA. The rooms are now ready for patients. We thank the generous donors of Amistad International for the plumbing hardware that was purchased locally as well as in the US.One of the biggest challenges in preparing these rooms was fixing the sewer system which had been plumbed to drain the toilets onto the front lawn. Arpad, Jerry and crew worked day and night digging trenches around the raw sewage and placing the appropriate drain pipes. Another peculiarity is why the toilet inflow was plumbed into the hot water pipes. Thank you to the expertise of our plumbing crew and their hard work most of these problems are now resolved. Arpad worked most nights until after midnight repairing leaks and faucets around the hospital. This very important sink in which we scrub our hands before surgery now has new foot pedals thanks to a donation from Ferguson Enterprises in Santa Maria, CA. It is important to use high quality materials as the elements are intense and these sinks sustain a high volume of use.Liz Dickinson, RN, Vice President of Nursing at Loma Linda University Medical Center transformed our operating room with her friend Sylvia. We thank LLUMC and Liz for her hard work and the amazing improvements that were made.Before this past week, there were still cupboards stuffed with instruments from years past. Liz, Sylvia, and the Haitian nurses sorted through all of them.Some sterile packaging of unused instruments dated back to 1952.The "before" shot below of the central sterilization area.The "after" shot below. The newly painted cupboards are awaiting placement of well organized instruments.New shelving was placed in the sterilization area after relocating the decontamination sink to a separate room.In spite of our very low infection rate, measures are being taken to continue to make safety improvements for our OR. This decontamination sink had its faucets and drains replaced this week and it was placed in the decontamination room where instruments will be scrubbed prior to bringing them into the sterilization area for final wrapping.Peter Nelson, DDS (on the right below) poses with Kyle Fiess of Maranatha. He used this hammer drill to make approximately 60 holes in the 10 inch walls of the southeast wing through which the entire plumbing system will be replaced. Prior to the earthquake the low pressure partially functioning water system delivered water to various plumbing fixtures, many of which were in disrepair. With the installation of a high volume inflow system and increased water pressure many leaks became apparent. This was causing a loss of approximately 7000 gallons of water per day into the walls, foundation, and electrical system of the hospital.
Dr. Nelson goes back to Haiti
To contact us Click HERE
This post was authored by Scott Nelson, Director of Orthopaedics at Hopital Adventiste d'Haiti who returned to HAH on Sunday.
Return To The Mission
After a much needed 2 week hiatus from the chaos of the ongoing disaster relief efforts at Hopital Adventiste d'Haiti I returned yesterday to face the challenges. In spite of several recent events regarding reintegration, sustainability, and international communication breakdowns, today was an especially productive and reassuring day. The clinic was filled with patients, 3 operating rooms ran simultaneously, experts from around the Americas worked busily, and administrative meetings reaffirmed the commitment to our mission of serving those in need.
The acclaimed reputation of our hospital from years past has been restored and enhanced because of the excellent services and long term stability that this hospital has provided to the victims of the earthquake and others with urgent and often neglected medical problems. The inherent institutional political challenges after a tragedy of this magnitude have resulted in the following scenarios at other local institutions:
We owe our successes to several unique aspects of our institution. First and foremost is the grace of God who has enabled each one of us to serve here with a mission for our fellow man. Many visitors have been impressed that we have both the Haitian staff and our foreign volunteer staff have working together which they have not seen at many other locations around the city. In spite of the fact that we are the closest major medical facility to the epicenter of the earthquake our building did not suffer any significant damage. Although some pre earthquake deterioration had occurred, we have one of the best facilities in the region and have already accomplished major improvements to the physical plant and upgraded many needed pieces of equipment. The commitment of several long term volunteers combined with the efforts short term experts has allowed capacity, excellent services, and stability. We thank our supporting organizations such as the Adventist church, Loma Linda University, CURE International and other collaborators for financially supporting the operational costs during this time when extra services have been provided for thousands of patients who have no ability to pay.
God is with us.
Syringofibroadenoma - Before
26 year old girl who suffered for years with a foul smelling tumor on her R foot is doing well after excision and skin grafting. Thank you to Dr. Dror Paley - surgeon, Dr. Craig Zuppan LLUMC pathologist who provided the diagnosis, and the LEAP plastic surgery team.
After a much needed 2 week hiatus from the chaos of the ongoing disaster relief efforts at Hopital Adventiste d'Haiti I returned yesterday to face the challenges. In spite of several recent events regarding reintegration, sustainability, and international communication breakdowns, today was an especially productive and reassuring day. The clinic was filled with patients, 3 operating rooms ran simultaneously, experts from around the Americas worked busily, and administrative meetings reaffirmed the commitment to our mission of serving those in need.The acclaimed reputation of our hospital from years past has been restored and enhanced because of the excellent services and long term stability that this hospital has provided to the victims of the earthquake and others with urgent and often neglected medical problems. The inherent institutional political challenges after a tragedy of this magnitude have resulted in the following scenarios at other local institutions:
- Well reputed hospitals have had to completely shut down due to lack of income to pay normal operating expenses and repair damaged infrastructure
- Attempted survival while refusing the continued expertise of well intentioned foreigners offering free services and destroying the economic norm of local doctors and hospital operations
- Completely expatriate operated institutions created by foreign NGO's. Some of which have terminated or diminished services due to difficulty with long term sustainability and rapid turnover of volunteers
We owe our successes to several unique aspects of our institution. First and foremost is the grace of God who has enabled each one of us to serve here with a mission for our fellow man. Many visitors have been impressed that we have both the Haitian staff and our foreign volunteer staff have working together which they have not seen at many other locations around the city. In spite of the fact that we are the closest major medical facility to the epicenter of the earthquake our building did not suffer any significant damage. Although some pre earthquake deterioration had occurred, we have one of the best facilities in the region and have already accomplished major improvements to the physical plant and upgraded many needed pieces of equipment. The commitment of several long term volunteers combined with the efforts short term experts has allowed capacity, excellent services, and stability. We thank our supporting organizations such as the Adventist church, Loma Linda University, CURE International and other collaborators for financially supporting the operational costs during this time when extra services have been provided for thousands of patients who have no ability to pay.
God is with us.
Syringofibroadenoma - Before26 year old girl who suffered for years with a foul smelling tumor on her R foot is doing well after excision and skin grafting. Thank you to Dr. Dror Paley - surgeon, Dr. Craig Zuppan LLUMC pathologist who provided the diagnosis, and the LEAP plastic surgery team.
6 Months Later...
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It has been six months since the earthquake and the need still continues. Some experts are predicting that it could take up to 20 years to remove all of the rubble. The U.N. estimates that 1.5 million Haitians are currently living in camps. Loma Linda University and AHI continue their work with Hopital Adventiste d'Haiti.
"Out of the Rubble" premiered at the General Conference session in Atlanta, GA. It will be making it's broadcast premier later this year on KVCR. We're also working on a "Sebastien cut", which will focus more on our friend Sebastien. We're hoping to send that version off to film festivals. Until then please continue to share "Out of the Rubble".
"Out of the Rubble" premiered at the General Conference session in Atlanta, GA. It will be making it's broadcast premier later this year on KVCR. We're also working on a "Sebastien cut", which will focus more on our friend Sebastien. We're hoping to send that version off to film festivals. Until then please continue to share "Out of the Rubble".
Out of the Rubble from Loma Linda University on Vimeo.
27 Nisan 2012 Cuma
Hooked on Making Vids
To contact us Click HERE
New Video.... I'm hooked!
seriously, I can't get enough of my GoPro. I have so much footage already that I don't know where to start. So, naturally i went back to my favorite gig of the Summer. It was a lot of trial, error and straight up time to make it to 59' 2" on that darn 1/4pipe .... And about exactly the same amount of mental effort went into editing this video up. I know its a bit cheeseball, but I'm happy with it. Let me know what you think!..rr
http://www.vimeo.com/1614790
New Video.... I'm hooked!
seriously, I can't get enough of my GoPro. I have so much footage already that I don't know where to start. So, naturally i went back to my favorite gig of the Summer. It was a lot of trial, error and straight up time to make it to 59' 2" on that darn 1/4pipe .... And about exactly the same amount of mental effort went into editing this video up. I know its a bit cheeseball, but I'm happy with it. Let me know what you think!..rr
http://www.vimeo.com/1614790
The NEW Knight Rider!
To contact us Click HERE
Well, my little buddy Georgie Fechter from Masters of Dirt in Austria called me and mentioned that he was putting together a car to drive the rally and asked if I wanted to drive some of it. Before i even found out it was KITT, I said yes I would drive some if my schedule allowed it. Then he mentioned that he was going to do it in one of the original Knight Rider cars, I told myself I HAD to do it. unfortunately I was only able to drive 1 day due to my crazy schedule, b ut let me tell you, I made the most of it. The MOD crew allowed me to drive the 2nd days leg from LA to San Diego. I showed up in Hollywood the night before I got to drive and coincidentally ran into the MOD/Fuel Girls crew just 200ft from the 101 and Hollywood Blvd split, where KIT decided to take a siesta. I was treated to helping push the 1982 Trans Am almost 2.5 miles to the rendezvous point near all the tourist crap. I figured the next day would be a hell of an adventure and I wasn't disappointed! The first drive to checkpoint 1 was cake from Hollywood to Huntington Beach, but once we left the beach it was a mad dash south to the next checkpoint in Carlsbad, CA about 70 miles away. I found myself sitting behind KIT doing around 120 in the middle of at least 15-20 luxurious sportscars. It was insane to say the least. by the time we wheeled into Downtown San Diego, KIT was on his last strut. I think the HOFF has been replaced by the REN-Diesel! (yes I just gave myself a nickname, hahaha) I cant wait to do it again next year! And hopefully for at least a couple more days.
drive on...rr
I'm Baaaaack
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You can't get rid of me that easy! C'mon now.
I guess I was a bit Blogged out for a while. But I'm stoked to be back on here doing some work and hustlin'. I've done a lot since the last blog and I have to say that I am definitely bummed that I haven't stayed on top of documenting at least some of my travels.
Anyhow, the time is now and i'm on a mission trying to work harder than ever to Entertain you people. It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it!
Heres a video that I put a lot of work into the last day. (mostly cause I'm still learning, not because it's good!)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2dJr5mTuq0
You can't get rid of me that easy! C'mon now.
I guess I was a bit Blogged out for a while. But I'm stoked to be back on here doing some work and hustlin'. I've done a lot since the last blog and I have to say that I am definitely bummed that I haven't stayed on top of documenting at least some of my travels.
Anyhow, the time is now and i'm on a mission trying to work harder than ever to Entertain you people. It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it!
Heres a video that I put a lot of work into the last day. (mostly cause I'm still learning, not because it's good!)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2dJr5mTuq0
To contact us Click HERE
The latest and greatest.Well everyone, it's been a while since my last update. i've definitely been pretty slammed with riding, business and plain nonsense, but the show must go on. I'm gonna get a bit cheezy on this post and throw in some others works', so don't be mad at me. It's better than nothing right?
I've been on a few adventures this past bit, but the best have been the ones to the baseball field to see my sons tear it up. Nate has been one of the Key players on his team (which are leading their division) and Josh has been giving a strong effort at his coach pitch games. Nothing makes me happier than to see them give a strong effort and improve every time they play.
Since I last wrote, I have actually moved from my sweet spot in Fallbrook (due to crappy county sound regulations and a crap economy). Despite being bummed about the move, my attitude is to make the best of the situation and I think that is happening. I have now set up my riding spot and 1onWon training facility at the new Pala raceway in North San Diego County. It is an awesome track and has what i feel to be the best dirt in southern California. I think I have hit a Grand Slam by teaming up with Pala Raceway. I really have a lot of faith in the place attached are a couple of action shots of yours truly turning laps out there. You can check out their info @ www.palaraceway.com . And of course my training info @ www.1onWon.com. So until next time, behave yourselves. I'll be getting prepped up for what I hope to be an Epic Summer filled with cool trips with my sons, huge quarterpipes in Chicago and Gold Medals at L.A. X-Games.
check it. rr
Good morning America.
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Weekend/story?id=7488259&page=1
Night Rider.
http://freeridemx.com/index.php/site/entry/night-rider/
The latest and greatest.Well everyone, it's been a while since my last update. i've definitely been pretty slammed with riding, business and plain nonsense, but the show must go on. I'm gonna get a bit cheezy on this post and throw in some others works', so don't be mad at me. It's better than nothing right?
I've been on a few adventures this past bit, but the best have been the ones to the baseball field to see my sons tear it up. Nate has been one of the Key players on his team (which are leading their division) and Josh has been giving a strong effort at his coach pitch games. Nothing makes me happier than to see them give a strong effort and improve every time they play.
Since I last wrote, I have actually moved from my sweet spot in Fallbrook (due to crappy county sound regulations and a crap economy). Despite being bummed about the move, my attitude is to make the best of the situation and I think that is happening. I have now set up my riding spot and 1onWon training facility at the new Pala raceway in North San Diego County. It is an awesome track and has what i feel to be the best dirt in southern California. I think I have hit a Grand Slam by teaming up with Pala Raceway. I really have a lot of faith in the place attached are a couple of action shots of yours truly turning laps out there. You can check out their info @ www.palaraceway.com . And of course my training info @ www.1onWon.com. So until next time, behave yourselves. I'll be getting prepped up for what I hope to be an Epic Summer filled with cool trips with my sons, huge quarterpipes in Chicago and Gold Medals at L.A. X-Games.
check it. rr
Good morning America.
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Weekend/story?id=7488259&page=1
Night Rider.
http://freeridemx.com/index.php/site/entry/night-rider/
Speed School X
To contact us Click HERE
My old buddy Cowboy Kenny and I had the opportunity to do the Speed School X experience in Irwindale, CA a couple of months ago. We had a killer time and actually learned a lot more than we expected (as we have both done several schools in the past and are cocky FMX riders that think we know it all anyways).
Don't have a cow man...... We even got to meet Mrs. Nancy Cartwright, the Celebrity Voice of Bart Simpson, whom is an avid racing fan and supporter of Sped School X!
I was beyond impressed with the entire program from start to finish and I can't wait to go back!
Check out the video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE4l0myopcc
My old buddy Cowboy Kenny and I had the opportunity to do the Speed School X experience in Irwindale, CA a couple of months ago. We had a killer time and actually learned a lot more than we expected (as we have both done several schools in the past and are cocky FMX riders that think we know it all anyways).
Don't have a cow man...... We even got to meet Mrs. Nancy Cartwright, the Celebrity Voice of Bart Simpson, whom is an avid racing fan and supporter of Sped School X!
I was beyond impressed with the entire program from start to finish and I can't wait to go back!
Check out the video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE4l0myopcc
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