December 28, 1998

Thomas Durant, MD, assistant general director of MGH; Ed Wyman, MD, of MGH Orthopædics, and Paula Buick, RN, of Partners, recently joined other clinicians from the Boston area in Honduras to help victims of Hurricane Mitch.

The MGHers visited local hospitals and health centers in the capital city of Tegucigalpa and other villages further south on the Pacific coast affected by the hurricane. The group helped with the distribution of supplies, consulted with other clinicians about the care of local residents and tried to determine the medical needs for future help from Boston-area hospitals.

"The work to be done there is immense," says Buick. "The people of Honduras need every bit of help. We met terrific people there – orthopædic surgeons, pediatricians, neonatologists, obstetricians, other clinicians and volunteers – all working in extremely poor conditions with a great deal of dignity and humanity."

Further relief plans are under way. For more information or to volunteer, call Buick at 4-2216.