Massachusetts General Hospital

The MGH responds to Haiti earthquake

15/Jan/2010

IMSuRT tents set up in Haiti

This site includes information related to the teams of MGHers deployed to join in the relief effort, the services available to those affected, ways to help, the most up-to-date MGH communications on the issue and external media coverage of MGH staff and employees' response.

Teams of MGHers deployed to join relief effort

At present, approximately 30 staff members from the MGH have been deployed to Haiti to offer medical assistance. Additional staff will be sent in the coming weeks.

Jan. 14

• Five MGHers were deployed as part of the Boston-area (MA-1) Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT). These volunteers are:
  
  • Jacqueline Nally, RN; Brenda Whelan, RN; Ellen Blanch; RN; Karon Konner, MSW; and Karen Culley.

• 17 MGHers on the International Medical Surgical Response Team (IMSuRT) East, an MGH-sponsored clinical outreach team, were also deployed. These volunteers are:
  • Curtis Audin, RN; Lynn Black, MD, MPH; Rebecca Coburn; Roberta Dee, RN; Annekathryn Goodman, MD; Kathleen Keenan, NP; Maryann Lupi, RN; Erasmo Mitrano, MS, RPh; Dan Nadworny; Elizabeth O'Neil, RN; Claudio Pontoriero; Joseph Roche, RN; Maryalyce Romano, RN; Brenda Smith, NP; Kerry Stevenson; and Kristen Wilson, RN.

Jan. 15

• One MGH staff member, Larry Ronan, MD, was deployed to Haiti through Project HOPE (Health Opportunities for People Everywhere). Approximately 30 more are awaiting deployment through Project HOPE in the coming days.

• Eight MGHers are volunteering through Partners in Health, based at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, to support efforts under way at the program’s rural hospitals in Haiti. These volunteers are:
  
  • Keith Antonangeli, ST; Henry Apino, MD; Akshay Dalal, MD; Grace Deveney, RN; Denise Lauria, RN; Teresa Macdonald, RN; Robert Sheridan, MD; and Malcolm Smith, MD.

Updates on these teams will be provided as information becomes available.  

Services available to those affected

MGH employees at an interfaith service dedicated to those affected by the earthquake

A toll-free number, 1-888-407-4747, has been established by the U.S. Department of State Operations Center for individuals looking for information on Haitian family members. If trying to locate a U.S. citizen in Haiti, e-mail haiti-earthquake@state.gov. Up-to-date information can be found on the Department of State's Haiti Earthquake Assistance website.

For employees dealing with this tragedy, the MGH offers the following:

• Assistance in contacting family and friends in Haiti. Staff members trying to reach family and friends in Haiti are welcome to use hospital telephones to do so. MGHers should speak to a supervisor about using a designated international line in their department. For assistance in placing calls, contact Jim Candito, corporate manager of Information Systems and Telecom/Network Services, at 617-726-3366 or pager number 3-3066. The Employee Access Center, located on Bulfinch 107, is also offering its telephone and computers for use between 7 am and 7 pm. To use these phones and computers after hours, contact Police and Security at 617-726-2121.
• Emotional and spiritual support. Those affected by this tragedy are encouraged to take advantage of the emotional and spiritual support services offered through the MGH. The MGH Chaplaincy Department is available at any time for staff, as well as for patients and families, by calling 617-726-2220. Regularly scheduled services include Catholic mass every day at 4 pm and interfaith prayer services Monday through Friday at 12:15 pm. Employees are also welcome to contact the Employee Assistance Program at 617-726-6976 to set up an appointment with a counselor.

How you can help The Mass General Development Office has launched the Haitian Relief Fund, of which all proceeds will directly support earthquake relief efforts.  Make a donation by credit card. Cash donations are accepted as are personal checks (made payable to Massachusetts General Hospital with "Haitian Relief Fund" in the memo line), which can be mailed to the Development Office, 6th Floor, 165 Cambridge St., Boston, Mass.

MGH employees responded quickly and selflessly to the initial request for volunteers. Hundreds more are prepared to deploy if and when need be. As a result of this, at present, the MGH leadership coordinating the relief effort are no longer seeking additional volunteers. They will continue to closely monitor the need for assistance in case of any change.
MGH communications related to the Haiti earthquakeJan. 13

• MGH's initial response to the earthquake -- message from Jeff Davis, senior vice president of Human Resources
  
• Advice by Paula Rauch, MD, on talking with children about upsetting news events -- message from Jeff Davis

Jan. 14

• Information for Patient Care Services employees -- message from Jeanette Ives Erickson, RN, senior vice president for Patient Care and chief nurse
• Hospital support for Haitian community -- message from Peter L. Slavin, MD, MGH president
  
• Information on donating to the Haitian Relief Fund and continuing support of employees affected by the disaster -- message from Jeff Davis
  
• Partners HealthCare's participation in relief efforts -- message from Gary Gottlieb, MD, president and CEO of Partners HealthCare

Jan. 15

•  
• Update on Haiti relief efforts -- message from Jeff Davis
• MGH Hotline coverage

Jan. 19

• Update on MGHers volunteering in Haiti -- message from Peter L. Slavin, MD, and David F. Torchiana, MD, CEO and Chairman of MGPO
• Update on Partners HealthCare efforts in Haiti -- message from Gary Gottlieb, MD

Jan. 20

• Update on services available for employees -- message from Jeff Davis

External media coverage related to response of MGH staff and employeesJan. 15 

• Haiti-bound MGH disaster team stuck in Atlanta -- Boston.com  
• Bottleneck stymies Boston rescuers -- Boston Herald
• Boston-Area Medical Groups Mobilize To Aid Haiti -- WBUR.org
• 'Help is on the way' -- Harvard Gazette
• Harvard Lends Helping Hands to a Shaken Country -- Harvard Crimson
• How To Talk To Your Kids About Haiti -- WBZ-TV, Ch. 4
• Mid-air mishap diverts Mass. rescue team to Turks and Caicos -- White Coat Notes/Boston.com
  

Jan. 16

• Supplies still en route, medical team awaits an enormous task -- Boston Globe

Jan. 18

• Nurses Reach Out to Victims of Haiti Earthquake -- Nurse.com
• Belmont reacts to Haiti earthquake -- Belmont Citizen
  

Jan. 19

• Boston docs, nurses lend hands, Rutland dad pleads for help -- Boston Herald
• Local volunteers struggle to get to Haiti -- MetroWest Daily News
• Nurse practitioner answers the call for Haiti -- Boston Globe