By: Barb Boose

Barb Boose — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:44:53 +0000

Dear Dr. Shwayhat: I would be greatly interested in hearing about your career and medical endeavors in the year+ that’s passed since your time in Haiti. What an amazing experience and contribution you and your colleagues gave to the Haitian people…but I’m guessing you’ve had additional adventures since. If you’re interested in sharing some with me, feel free to e-mail me at barbara.boose@dmu.edu or call 515-271-1599. Many thanks and best wishes!

By: Alfred Shwayhat

Alfred Shwayhat — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 17:25:14 +0000

I am a 1996 graduate of Des Moines University/COMS. In July, 2009 I was assigned as the Senior Medical Officer/Health Services Department Head for the USS CARL VINSON, a nuclear powered aircraft carrier that on 12 January 2010 departed from Norfolk, Virginia on a home port change to San Diego, California concurrent with a deployment around the Horn of South America. Immediately after departing Norfolk on 12 January we received reports of the Haitian earthquake disaster and were immediately diverted from our mission by the Pentagon to steam at top speed to Haiti to assist. Our aircraft carrier and sailors could and eventually would serve in several capacities including supply replenishment, provision of fresh water, logistics and MEDEVAC support. But in addition, the CARL VINSON also carried the only Level II medical/surgical treatment facility up to western standards available in theater in the early phase of the Haitian disaster relief efforts (subsequent named by the the Department of Defense as Operation Unified Response). Very early on, our mini hospital aboard the VINSON became the focal point of U.S. disaster relief efforts in Haiti and this was projected to 144 countries worldwide; our efforts were covered by all the major news networks and news journals and even included a brain trauma patient operated on by Dr. Sanjay Gupta aboard the VINSON. In all we provided 161.5 tons of food, 18 tons of medical supplies, 2200 sorties, 435 MEDEVACS, and 87,200 gallons of water directly to the Haitian people and their supported elements. My Medical Department functioned as a trauma center and while I have been trained and certified in internal medicine, endocrinology, and aerospace medicine, my role was primarily as an internist and overall supervisor of care in the facility and as adviser to the Strike Group Commander and the Commanding Officer of the VINSON. On 2 February, after 4 other casualty receiving platforms including the USNS COMFORT hospital ship were in place and in full support of O.U.R., we pulled up anchor and continued on with our deployment. My experience in Haiti is the third humanitarian assistance/disaster relief experience I have had in my Navy career and ranks as the most challenging yet most fulfilling of them all. The Haitian casualties we cared for and those to whom we provided supplies were extremely gracious and thankful. Thanks to DMU for my education and the opportunity to eventually serve in this capacity. For my medical education, it all started in Des Moines, Iowa!
Best regards,
Al Shwayhat

By: Richard Budensiek

Richard Budensiek — Tue, 18 May 2010 04:06:26 +0000

On April 23, I joined a team of a nurse and 5 other support personnel under a Non-Government Organization, World Hope International. Over 8 days, we held 5 clinics in tent cities, HIV clinics, and makeshift churches. Many of the patients we saw hadn’t had medical care since the earthquake. On Monday, we were joined by a internist from Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Comments on: Doing a world of good during Haiti's crisis

By: Barb Boose

By: Alfred Shwayhat

By: Richard Budensiek