Summer Update: Building more partnerships in Haiti

Christie Louis, WHNP, talks to healthcare workers and medical students about hypertensive emergencies in obstetrics

In June, IMR was invited again to present at "World Health: Special Focus on Haiti", a medical conference in Limonade, Haiti in collaboration with NOAH-NY, Healthfirst, and Howard University Hospital. We gave lectures on Pelvic Floor Disorders and held a workshop on Ob/Gyn emergencies including postpartum hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and ectopic pregnancy to a room full of Haitian medical and nursing students. We were joined by Christie Louis, WHNP, first-time volunteer with IMR. 

After the conference, Dr. Sleemi traveled to southern Haiti to begin a partnership with St. Boniface Hospital in Fond-des- Blancs. St Boniface is located in a remote mountain region about a 3 hours drive from Port- au-Prince. It’s remote area lends to a very large patient cachement area, treating over 100,000 patients per year with over 200 surgeries per month. The Department of Ob/Gyn invited IMR to come and work with the 2 staff physicians, Chairman Dr. Guerrier and Dr. Germinal. Enhancing the vaginal surgical approach in pelvic reconstructive techniques for prolapse and incontinence will be the focus.

Dr. Meyer working with Dr. Guerrier, Chief of Ob/Gyn, to repair an obstetric fistula at St Boniface

Clinically, Dr. Sleemi and IMR volunteer Dr. Bill Meyer saw many patients with complete prolapse that had been untreated for years, leading to extreme discomfort and bleeding. We treated pelvic organ prolapse, genital fistula and a few congenital vaginal abnormalities.

We look forward to continuing our growing relationship with St. Boniface Hospital and improving care for women with devastating childbirth injuries and other debilitating gynecologic conditions.

“My experience at the conference in Haiti was beyond my expectation... Interacting with individuals that are passionate about teaching and helping those who are not as fortunate as us is a rewarding feeling. Living in a country where medical technology is so far in advance you easily forget about the basics. This trip has changed my perspective in life and how I will practice as a Clinician. I’m more determine then ever to master my craft and learning alternative ways to practice preventive care and treatment. ”

— Christie Louis, WHNP

Staff and faculty of "World Health: Special Focus on Haiti"