February 8-15, 2020
Medical Mission Team and Haitian Support Staff
Dr. Megard Hiking up the Mountain
Dr. Dan Megard: “Haiti is an amazing country filled with mountains that at times are covered with long grass that blows in the wind. The beautiful people have so little but are mostly happy. We had the opportunity to treat more than 700 patients in just over 3 days with a combination of an American and Haitian medical team. We treated acute illnesses and chronic diseases alike. I saw more cases of scabies in a day than I had seen in my 28 year career in medicine in South Dakota. The bond between team members was outstanding. Our language barriers were overcome with the interest in treating our fellow man. I felt like we were really appreciated by the patients who have so little access to medical care. It was an amazingly satisfying to be part of a great team. I can’t wait to go back next year!”
Medical mission teams to Haiti serve an obvious need to the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. But, there is much more to a medical mission trip than just treating medical conditions as the Yankton, South Dakota volunteers found out as they spent a week in early February at the Helping Hands for Haiti mission house in Mauger. Follow the picture trail, accompanied by words of the team members that depict the work, the camaraderie, and the emotions of a memorable “life changing experience.”
The first order of business at the clinic was to register the patients. (top left) Justin Siemonsma and Kevin O’brien took down patient information with the help of interpreters PeeWee and Ronald. Justin commented, “The interpreters were awesome! We could not have done any of our work without their wonderful assistance.” (top right) Haitian Dr. Dominique consults with a patient as Liz Wortmann listens in on the conversation. Dr. Dan Megard is in the background interviewing another patient. When asked why she came on this mission trip Liz replied, “Wanting to help others led me into healthcare and healthcare has highlighted the inequality in the world. I want to make a difference. I want to mirror Christ’s love for mankind in my own small way.”
“Planes, trains and automobiles” was a movie about getting home for Thanksgiving. Our medical team experienced pickups, boats, and motorcylcles to get to the clinic at Savane a Roches.
Mindy tends to the pharmacy as Dr. Megard awaits a prescription.
Shayna doing a blood test.
Justin examines the ankle of a child.
While the medical team attended to health care, Dave was able to fit glasses for many of the students.
Whether we went up the mountain or down the mountain, we soon learned that our mission of caring for the people quickly turned into caring about the people. While our primary goal was to provide medical care, we sure didn’t mind our time with the children and felt closer to God on both venues!