Formula for Life

Our nutrition team is led by Dr. Heller and our busiest sites are Manyaya and Rosa la Piedra. Building Bridges of Hope has Plumpy Nut (a therapeutic peanut butter nutrient paste), vitamins, and rice available for distribution. In our 4 days, the nutrition clinic saw 300 children (under age 6). Each child was weighed and height was measured to determine placement on a growth chart. Fluoride was applied to the older children's teeth. If a child was determine to be severely malnourished, BBOH consulted with the parents. If the parents agreed, the child would be taken down the mountain to the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity. The child would remain there until nutritionally stable. Several children were determined to be severely malnourished, but only 6 families gave consent for their child to go to the Missionaries of Charity.

Today's post is about our fantastic medical providers - both Lizzie (PA) and Dr. James are USF alumni. Both travelled to Haiti when they were undergraduates at USF and now that they are healthcare professionals they continue to give back. This is Lizzie's second trip to the DR and Nate's third trip. Lizzie specializes in pediatrics; Nate is an ER physician. It is such a joy to be around both of them. They are great educators, funny, and have huge hearts. In just 4 days, Lizzie and Dr. James provided medical care to 174 people ranging in age from a few months old to over 90 years old.