Pediatric Medical Team Returns to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia From Haiti

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A 12-member medical team from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) returned yesterday after 10 days in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, treating victims of the Jan. 12 earthquake.

Global Health at CHOP deployed the medical team to Haiti Jan. 30 in response to an urgent call from the aid group Partners In Health for pediatric experts to care for children at the University Hospital in Port-au-Prince (HUEH). This was the first dedicated pediatric medical team providing care on the ground at this facility in Port-au-Prince.

The members include team leader Fred Henretig, M.D.; Rakesh Mistry, M.D.; David Chao, M.D.; Neil Uspal, M.D.; Brian Barnett, R.N.; Marcia Carter, R.N.; Warren Frankenberger, R.N.; Diane Gardella, R.N.; Wendy Hemme, R.N.; John Kimbrough, R.N.; Kathleen O'Conner, N.P.; Steve Larson, M.D. (HUP Emergency Medicine).

"We are very proud of this team and the work they accomplished helping victims in Haiti," said Global Health director Rodney Finalle, M.D. "This Global Health effort was completed with the help of so many more people working tirelessly at CHOP for the team. I would like to thank everyone who offered generous support of the Global Health program."

After the earthquake struck Haiti, more than 400 Children's Hospital employees submitted applications for consideration as a volunteer through the Global Health Haiti Disaster Response program.  In addition, Children's Hospital employees have worked for weeks to obtain critical equipment to send into Haiti and arrange for the team's transportation and communication.

To learn how to support Global Health at CHOP and CHOP's Haiti Disaster Response team, please go to: http://www.chop.edu/about/chop-in-the-community/global-health/haitian-relief-efforts.html

Global Health at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: Since 2004, more than 100 Children's Hospital staff have participated in a Global Health activity, primarily outside the borders of the United States. More than 4,000 children have received care in another country from a Children's Hospital clinical professional in one of our established programs. For more information, visit www.chop.edu/globalhealth.

About The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation's first pediatric hospital. Through its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of pediatric healthcare professionals and pioneering major research initiatives, Children's Hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in the country, ranking second in National Institutes of Health funding. In addition, its unique family-centered care and public service programs have brought the 441-bed hospital recognition as a leading advocate for children and adolescents. For more information, visit http://www.chop.edu.

SOURCE The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia