Looking forward with Meria

Posted on January 27, 2012 by joy

The volunteer physicians, nurses, and staff of Hospitals for Humanity’s Medical Mission Initiative to Osun State, Nigeria, wish to thank everyone who donated to the December 2011 trip. The money, medications, equipment, and time everyone contributed to the effort made it possible for us to treat over 1200 patients, including the successful completion of 32 hernia repairs, 56 cataract surgeries, 27 dental procedures, among numerous other accomplishments. We touched many lives during the Medical Mission Initiative, and we know that we could not have done so without your generous support.

One patient in particular illustrates the significant impact that volunteers and donors have on a Medical Mission Initiative. Meria is eight years old and had a cataract in her left eye. As she was so young with so many years of life ahead of her, the HFH eye surgeons knew how meaningful cataract surgery would be. Giving Meria improved vision would greatly enhance her quality of life going forward.

Meria is one of those rare souls who endears herself to those around her without even trying. Her quiet trust and courage as she waited for surgery was immensely inspiring, and everyone who worked with her felt a connection to her. She was our little sister, our niece, our daughter, and we all wanted the absolute best for her.

Meria asked to have her photograph taken (above). Unbeknownst to the photographer, Meria was soon to touch everyone’s heart, including the nurses who attended to her as she waited for cataract surgery (below left), and the assistants and surgeon, Dr. Smith, who performed the surgery (below center and right).

Meria’s surgery was the last procedure of the day and was completed after 5:00 p.m., the time that HFH volunteers would normally have headed home for dinner. Meria was still under anesthesia, however, and none of the volunteers involved even thought of leaving while she was asleep.

As the sky darkened and the likelihood of the lights in the hospital being turned off increased, the volunteers could be found loosely clustered around Meria, monitoring her vital signs, making sure she was comfortable, and waiting expectantly for her to awake. Our exultant joy when she opened her eyes and sat up is inexpressible in words. To us, she became the face of the mission and an incomparable reminder of why we volunteer. We hope that her story confirms for you why you support the mission of Hospitals for Humanity. Your donations make it possible for us to decrease barriers to health care for people living in the least developed countries in the world, which means we can make a difference in lives like Meria’s. Thank you all for caring enough to help.

Meria returned the next day to have her post-op examination (right). Everyone was delighted to see her, and thanks to cataract surgery, she was delighted to see more than she could before.

HFH runs the Chicago Marathon

Posted on October 26, 2011 by joy

Dr. Syreeta Jones, head of HFH’s dentistry department, raised money for HFH while running the 2011 Chicago Marathon. She shared the following about her experience:

When initially asked to run in the 2011 Chicago Marathon, it seemed an impossible task, especially since I am not, and never have been an athlete. But Segun is not one to take NO for an answer, so I decided to take on the huge undertaking, in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Hospitals for Humanities. The five months of training to follow proved to be difficult, physically painful, and very time consuming. However, they did not seem to adequately prepare me for the task at hand. But on the morning of the actual marathon, I decided to give it my all. The actual experience was totally awesome and completely rewarding. The cheers of the crowds, neighborhood displays, and encouraging words along the 26.2 mile journey kept spirits high and a smile on my face, regardless of the physical strain that my body was enduring. So, I am proud to report that on Sunday, October 9, 2011, I completed the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, and received my metal of completion, which was my ultimate goal. It was quite a challenge, but an experience of a lifetime that I will cherish and remember for the rest of my life.

HFH runs the Chicago Marathon

HFH helps Haiti monthly

Posted on May 9, 2011 by joy

The devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010 left the country and its people in dire need of humanitarian aid. In the face of hundreds of people injured and the destruction of local medical facilities, Hospitals for Humanity has responded with monthly Medical Mission Initiatives to Haiti throughout 2010, providing long-term medical support to those injured.

To see a summary of HFH’s work, please click the links below.

Medical services provided each month in Haiti

Quarterly summary of medical services provided

To volunteer on an upcoming MMI, please complete our volunteer application. Please note that we will be facing disaster conditions, therefore a lack of resources is expected. Click here for a list of items to pack.

To provide monetary support for HFH’s efforts in Haiti, please click the donate button above. Your donations cover expenses including shipping supplies and equipment and supporting the basic needs of the staff.

The Race Within US

Posted on May 5, 2011 by joy

Kristine Mueller was inspired by the work of Chicagoland doctors and nurses she knew who had volunteered with Hospitals for Humanity. In a desire to support HFH in her own way, she has organized a group of runners whose goal is to run a race in all 50 states while raising money for worthy causes such as HFH’s Medical Mission Initiatives along the way.

To support HFH by donating to Kristine’s group, please click the donate button above and select The Race Within US. Check the calendar often to keep pace with all of Kristine’s races. To learn more about Kristine’s motivation and vision, you can follow her blog, please read the following letter from her.

Everyone has something inside them that has them “racing” to achieve their dreams and goals, whether it’s a goal of running a 5K race, going to college, raising a family, or starting your own business. I’m definitely the kind of person who needs a goal in mind to keep pushing forward, and for me, those goals often include traveling to a

Race Within US and support Hospitals for Humanity

country I’ve never been, or reaching a personal best time in a race. So a few like-minded friends and I created a group, the Race Within US, that combines our love of travel and running. Our goal is to complete a race in all 50 states while raising awareness (and also money, hopefully) for Hospitals for Humanity.

My goal is to run a full-marathon in every state, with fingers crossed that my health and motivation will stay intact for this daunting challenge. Since I started with my first marathon in October 2009, I’ve completed 7 full marathons including Iowa, Wisconsin, Washington, Maine, Indiana, Arizona, and Louisiana. I have four more races coming up this year, starting with Cincinnati, Ohio in May; a 197-mile relay in Portland, Oregon in August; the Chicago Marathon in October; and then finishing off 2011 with the Rock-n-Roll Marathon in Savannah, Georgia. As for 2012, I don’t know what that will hold, but you can read about all of my races and travels on our blog at theracewithinus.blogspot.com.

Please support me and Hospitals for Humanity by making a one-time donation or by pledging an amount for each race I run. Every little bit helps this amazing group reach more people in need within the U.S. and beyond. And of course, you’re welcome to join me for a race or two! Thank you for all of your support!

HFH announces two new branches

Posted on February 14, 2011 by joy

Special Medical Services Department

The Special Medical Services Department (SMSD) is an arm of HFH intended to respond to special cases that cannot be handled by Medical Mission Initiative (MMI). It oversees chronic sicknesses and diseases for individuals by helping to evaluate the diagnosis, refer patient to a local hospital or to a neighboring country where the ailment can be better treated, and offer medical advice. SMSD works with different health care providers and hospitals around the globe to achieve this goal.

The SMSD is under the direction of Wande Ajetunmobi. Wande is a Data Analyst for a prestigious Warranty Company in Chicago, Illinois. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Clayton State University in Atlanta, Georgia and she is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Project Management and Information Systems. She holds certifications in Logistics/Supply Chain Management and Application Software. Wande has extensive experience in various projects related to sales, marketing, human resource management, and new-product launch. She has a passion for helping the less privileged and is excited to be a part of Hospitals for Humanity.

To be considered to receive Special Medical Services through HFH, please complete our SMSD Inquiry form.

Dentistry Department

The goal of the Dentistry Department of HFH is to improve the oral health of local individuals, thereby improving their overall general health and quality of life. This will be accomplished by offering free dental services to patients, including emergency care, preventive treatment, oral hygiene products, and educational information. The patients will later be referred as needed, to local dental programs for follow up care and continued treatments. Our team of dentists, specialists, hygienists and assistants will oversee the needed dental services, working alongside local oral health care providers and establishing long-lasting relationships with the communities we are serving. The ultimate goal of the Dentistry Department is to establish relationships with local patients and dental teams that will result in decreasing oral health care barriers around the world.

Dr. Jones examines a patient in Osun State, Nigeria, December 2011

The Dentistry Department is under the direction of Dr. Syreeta C. Jones, DDS. Dr. Jones is a general dentist in her hometown of Kankakee, Illinois. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and her Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Iowa. She is a member of several national, state, and local dental organizations and has received numerous honors for her commitment and dedication to the field of dentistry. She works tirelessly to educate her patients on the importance of oral health and its relevance to their overall well-being. Dr. Jones looks forward to spreading this same pertinent message to under-served populations around the world.