Leaving Haiti by Jen McNulty, MD

Today was our last day in Port-au-Prince. The medical team split into two groups; one went to the stadium to staff our regular clinic and the other went to the Petionville Club to evaluate another site for a clinic. I was feeling sad that this was our last day, but I was also looking forward to hugging my husband and children.

Sean Penn has a non-governmental organization that is here providing support to other relief organizations. They are set up adjacent to an army base at the Petionville Club. It used to be a country club and golf club. Now there are more than 20 acres of temporary housing set up on its grounds. The Israeli and Germans have been providing medical care, with the Army docs backing them up and providing transportation out of the camps to higher levels of medical care.

I am positive that we made a difference here in Haiti. There were many cases of only mild illness, but the patients clearly felt better just being listened to and having a stethoscope of an American doctor on their chests. When you look into the eyes of these children, they are sad. But behind the sadness rests strength, and these are a people that will overcome this devastation. If nothing else, they have taught me the meaning of human spirit, and I will never be the same. What an honor to have served them.