Thirteen volunteers from the University of Nebraska Medical Center are busy treating the wounded in Haiti as part of the recovery effort following the massive earthquake that struck the Caribbean nation Jan. 12

One group of volunteer doctors and nurses landed in Port-au-Prince Jan. 24 and went directly to work in a community hospital and a private clinic. The second group landed Jan. 25 and immediately was ushered to the Project MediShare field hospital at the main airport.

Dr. Rubens Pamies, a UNMC vice chancellor and native of Haiti, is leading the UNMC team. He and his wife both lost family members through the earthquake.

The volunteers are collaborating with the U.S. State Department and also learning about needs from citizens they talk with in Port-au-Prince.

“There are only three nurses for 300 patients here,” said Nick Hall, a nurse at The Nebraska Medical Center and volunteer who is immersed in bedside nursing. “Wound care is the biggest unmet need.”

As such, bedside nurses and wound care materials will be high priorities as UNMC coordinates its next wave of volunteers.

More than 100 people have volunteered to help in future deployments.

A fund has been created at the University of Nebraska Foundation to accept contributions that support the Medical Center’s efforts. The fund is helping to offset travel and lodging costs, buy supplies such as materials for treating wounds to hopefully reduce amputations, and communication costs.

We thank you for your generous support as UNMC seeks to raise $100,000 to continue to help those in need in Haiti.

Give to the UNMC Haitian Relief Fund now