The Saint Barnabas Health Care System family
is coordinating efforts on many fronts to support
the victims of the Haitian earthquake.
Contributions are being collected from trustees,
physicians, employees, auxilians and volunteers.
One hundred percent of the funds received will
be forwarded to two respected international
relief organizations: AmeriCares and
Partners in Health.
Medical Staff members throughout
our System are already in Haiti or planning
to leave imminently,
including 18 physicians from a wide range of
specialties -- pediatrics, emergency medicine,
general and neurosurgery, pathology, anesthesiology,
and obstetrics and gynecology -- and seven
nurses from labor and delivery, operating room,
postpartum anesthesia, and neonatology. The
numbers continue to grow.
Medical supplies and non-perishable
goods are being assembled at all six acute
care hospitals to be delivered to Newark Beth
Israel (NBI), which will serve as a staging
area for shipment to Haiti. To date, eight
NBI pallets -- four with medical supplies and
four with food and water -- are ready to be
moved out, under the auspices of two NBI physicians
from the Association of Haitian Physicians
Abroad. Materials
Management directors and staff are coordinating
pick up of all pallets from the affiliates
by
January 27th for delivery to NBI, where organizations
in addition to the Association have been identified
for transport.
We recognize that many of our staff of 19,600
employees and medical staff of 4,600 and their
families have been personally affected by this
tragedy. Those who need emotional support
or their dependents are being advised to call
the SBHCS Employee Assistance Program to speak
directly with experienced clinicians, available
24-hours a day, seven days a week, who will
provide guidance and resources. Pastoral
Care Departments at our facilities are prepared
to offer spiritual support.
These are initial efforts that
are currently underway and will be ongoing
in support of the people of Haiti by the Saint
Barnabas Health Care System.
