Waves of Health went to Dajabon, Dominican Republic on March 1-8, 2008. In a partnership with local doctors, staff and the Metz family, the medical and pharmacy teams evaluated and treated patients in 3 clinics, 2 schools, and one work camp. Waves of Health was able to help approximately 1500 patients.

Dajabon is an agricultural town in the northwest part of the Dominican Republic on the Haitian border. It is 3 hours by car from the nearest airport in Santiago.

The medical team which consisted of nurse practitioner AnnaMarie Matos, infectious disease fellow Dr. R. Jayasingam, medical residents Dr. Justin Pi and Dr. Aaron Ko, podiatry resident Dr. Monica Rendon, and medical translators Karla Hanify and Father Manny Cruz was led by Dr. Chris Boni and Dr. Kate Hanify. They treated a variety of diseases including asthma, hypertension, diabetes, scabies, gripe and cellulitis. Waves of Health was also able to equip the clinics with oto/opthalmoscopes, bp cuffs, nebulizers, electronic thermometers, minor surgical supplies, glucometers, a pulse-oximeter and eye charts.

Waves of Health was able to bring a full pharmacy to the underserved people in Dajabon. In addition to medications purchased locally, Waves of Health members brought 19 duffel bags of medications to Dajabon. Clinical Pharmacist Dr. Humberto Jimenez and Dr. Rabin Dabliz, along with translator/diabetes educator Marsil Suriel worked to organize the supplies and dispense medication to all of the patients seen by the medical doctors.

Waves of Health would like to thank members of the Metz family who worked tirelessly to accomplish this mission. Tomas, Dra. Eldemira Ventura, and Raiza provided transportation, local know-how, technical/logistical support and more. They made us feel welcome in their town of Dajabon.

A special thanks to documentary photographer Robert A. Cumins who drove 9 hours on unfamiliar Dominican roads to get Dr. Pi who ended up at the wrong airport.

The Following is a thank you note from the Martinez Metz family

"We would like to formally give thanks to Waves of Health for having made possible the different medical missions in this municipal of Dajabon, which was much needed in this population, in addition that it coincided with the strike by the physicians of Dajabon. In the name of the town of Dajabon, the Martinez Metz Family (in which Dr. Ventura is included), and the Neighborhood La Fe, a million thanks and you can always count on us for whatever you need. Our regards to all, bye."

"formalmente les damos las gracias, al proyecto olas de salud, por haber hecho posibles los diferentes operativos medicos en este municipio de Dajabon, el cual vino a suplir una gran necesidad en esta poblacion, ademas que coincidio con la huelga de medicos que mantenia el colegio medico dominicano. en nombre del pueblo de dajabon y en especial de la familia martinez metz, en la cual esta icluida la dra. ventura por ser parte de ella y el grupo los populosos del sector la fe, gracias mil, y siempre cuenten con nosotros para lo que sea necesario.saludos a todos, bay."