On March 1, 2007 WOH went to the Dominican Republic to provide primary medical. Monsignor Manuel Cruz arranged for the Sisters of the Heart of Jesus to be the team’s host. The Sisters maintain a convent and orphanage in Santo Domingo and a school, clinic, orphanage and nursing home in the interior town of Sabana Grande de Boya.

Dr. Jimenez spent many hours on the phone consulting with local doctors and the Sisters to determine what medications would be needed for the mission. Once a list of medications and supplies was compiled, the members of Waves of Health worked to fill the Rx. Donations were obtained from the medical staff of Saint Michael’s medical center, the infectious disease department and generous citizens. Medications were donated from local doctors and pharmacies. Eventually Dr. Jimenez managed to provide the citizens of Sabana Grande de Boya with approximately $50,000 dollars worth of medications and supplies. Some of it was purchased locally, but 17 duffel bags were carried by the team.

Clearing Dominican customs was possible because Waves of Health had obtained official letters from the Dominican Embassy, and the Ministry of health. Once in the DR, the team was convoyed the 3 hours from Santo Domingo to Sabana Grande de Boya by the sisters.

In Sabana Grande de Boya the team was provided with comfortable housing, without running water, above the clinic in the Sister’s compound. The medical clinic was basically four rooms, each with a desk and a gurney. As Drs. Hanify, Everline, Saggar and Boni started to see patients, Dr. Jimenez set up a pharmacy.

Each day began at 7 am with all of the doctors and volunteers in the pharmacy under the direction of Dr. Jimenez. The supplies were organized and prescriptions filled. The physicians also took stock of their supplies.

At 9 am the clinic was started. The doctors went to their exam rooms and waited for the sisters to bring in the patients. The patients were triaged to each doctor’s area of interest and expertise when ever possible. Patients with infectious diseases and rashes were directed to Dr. Saggar. Patients with musculoskeletal problems were referred to Dr. Everline. Pulmonary patients were sent to Dr. Boni and patients with women’s health issues were directed to Dr. Hanify. The morning clinic session lasted until about 1:30 pm. The staff then retired up to their quarters for lunch and rest for an hour. Between 2 and 2:30 the afternoon clinic session began and lasted until about 6 pm. Because the clinic has only limited electricity, each day ended were it became too dark to properly exam the patients.

After dinner the staff assembled to discuss the day’s cases. The doctors debated difficult cases and agreed on the proper treatment for each condition.

Photos by Robert Cumins