Updated February 1, 2010- Le Bonheur provides medical team, supplies to Haiti
A medical mission team from Le Bonheur Children’s is in Haiti to care for children in the region.
The team, which left Memphis on Jan. 30, is working in the Haiti Medical Missions of Memphis clinic, located in Croix des Bouquets near Port-au-Prince. Le Bonheur has sent both a team of physicians and supplies and equipment to the clinic.

The team is led by Sunny Anand, MBBS, D. Phil., Le Bonheur director of Critical Care, director of Division of Pediatric Critical Care for University of Tennessee Health Science Center and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Endowed Chair of Critical Care.

“As world leaders in the field of pediatrics, it is our responsibility to care for children in any community with a demonstrated need,” said Anand. “Le Bonheur has assembled a team of experts to respond to the medical crisis in Haiti. We will work alongside our peers from throughout the world to ensure that, in the wake of disaster, these children have access to the medicine and care they urgently need.”

Other members of the team include:

• Gordon Kraus, MD, internal medicine, Haiti Medical Missions of Memphis;
• Derek Kelly, MD, pediatric orthopedic surgeon, Campbell Clinic
• Josh Meier, MD, pediatric orthopedic surgeon, Kosair Children’s Hospital, Louisville, Ky.; Children’s Orthopedics of Louisville
•  Dr. Trey Eubanks, MD, pediatric surgeon, medical director of Trauma, Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center; Pediatric Surgical Group
• Dr. Joel Saltzman, MD, medical director of Anesthesia, Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center; Pediatric Anesthesiologists PA
• Gordon Corder, MD, certified registered nurse anesthetist, Pediatric Anesthesiologists PA
• Farnel Backer, MD, family practice, Bolivar General Hospital, Bolivar, Tenn.
• Carmel Verrier, MD, oncologist, St. Francis, Bartlett, Tenn.
• Jacob Howell, surgery technician, Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center
• Charles Anderson, X-ray technician, Universal Hospital Service/Regional Medical Center
• Crile Crisler, MHA, NREMT-P, administrative director of Emergency Services, Le Bonheur Children’s
• Amanda Mauck, logistics and communications specialist, Le Bonheur Children’s.

The Le Bonheur Haiti Medical Relief mission has received monetary, logistical and supply support from several community-minded Memphis organizations. FedEx Corp. provided transportation for supplies and personnel into Port-Au-Prince, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital provided pharmaceuticals and medical prescriptions that included pain medication, antibiotics, anesthesia and antivirals, Shelby County Health Department provided vaccines for medical personnel and .

In addition, ExtraOrtho Inc. is providing $160,000 worth of equipment for external fixation to fix broken bones and fractures.  Led by Head Coach Lionel Hollins and including players, coaches and ownership, the Memphis Grizzlies donated $50,000 to support the Le Bonheur team. Panera Bread will also raise money at its restaurants through Feb. 5.

Le Bonheur is one of a handful of children’s hospitals responding to the Haiti disaster. To keep up on the team’s visit, go to www.lebonheur.org/blogs/lebonheurresponds.

Updated January 30, 2010 - Le Bonheur Children's Team to Haiti
Le Bonheur Children's medical mission trip to Haiti is underway.  The team left Saturday morning on a FedEx flight and will arrive late Saturday afternoon.  Please follow the team's journey in Haiti on the Le Bonheur Responds blog.

Updated January 25, 2010 - Le Bonheur Children’s Dedicated Pediatric Surgical Team to Haiti
Le Bonheur Children’s medical mission trip to Haiti for medical relief continues to develop. The team will be working at the Haiti Medical Missions of Memphis clinic, located in Croix des Bouquets near Port-au-Prince. The clinic is a well-established resource in the Haitian community since its inception in 1997.

Updated January 20, 2010 - Le Bonheur Children's Medical Relief Team Assembled
Le Bonheur Children's continues to make preparations to provide medical assistance to Haiti. We are finalizing the members of our medical response team and are developing lists of the medications, supplies and equipment these teams will need. Two orthopedic surgeons, one general surgeon, one critical care physician, one anesthesiologist, two certified registered nurse anesthetists and several other select support personnel are committed as members of our team. We are working to complete necessary paperwork and obtain clearance for them. Arrangements for transportation and accommodations are being explored. Specifics as to when and to what locations our team will be deployed have not yet been determined.

Information on media availability with the medical relief team members and departure times will be forthcoming. Please contact Anne Glankler or Sara Burnett for more information.

Updated January 19, 2010 - Le Bonheur Children’s has been asked by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide medical assistance to Haiti. There are three specific areas in which Le Bonheur will be providing aid.

We are currently organizing supplies and pharmaceuticals to be delivered to Haiti. In addition, HHS has requested two pediatric medical teams – a surgical critical care team and a critical care transport team. We are developing a three-person Le Bonheur transport team consisting of a registered nurse, paramedic and respiratory therapist.

Surgeons, anesthesiologists, critical care physicians, critical care nurses and respiratory therapists are being identified for the surgical critical care transport team. Le Bonheur efforts are being coordinated by Dr. James O’Donnell, Director of Le Bonheur Disaster Response & Emergency Preparedness Team working with National Disaster Medical Service.

The situation is very fluid and we will keep you updated on our progress. For those desiring to help through monetary gifts, please call the Methodist Healthcare Foundation at 901-516-0500. Gifts are being made through the United Methodist Committee of Relief (UMCOR).

With the recent catastrophic earthquake that hit the capital city of Haiti, Port-au-Prince, many organizations in the U.S. and around the world are lending a helping hand. All populations have been severely affected by this tragedy and the children of Haiti are no exception. Le Bonheur Children’s, along with other selected children’s hospital in the U.S., has been asked to be on alert to provide support to Haitian children in need. The key support that children's hospitals may be called upon to provide include the ability to provide beds/medical assistance, transport, volunteers to Haiti and equipment and supplies.

Le Bonheur Children’s Emergency Preparedness team is led by emergency physician Dr. James O’Donnell. Dr. O’Donnell is an expert in disaster planning and preparedness. He is a member of the Tennessee Committee on Pediatric Emergency Care where he has served as Chairman and Co-chairman of the disaster planning sub-committee.

Dr. O’Donnell, along with other Le Bonheur professionals, has begun to implement part of their emergency preparedness plan. The team at Le Bonheur is experienced in creating and successfully implementing emergency preparedness plans.