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Fort Atkinson Doctor Off to Haiti

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

FORT ATKINSON – Barry Cash, MD, a physician at the Fort Atkinson Medical Center, has recently returned to Haiti in the wake of the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that occurred there on January 12. This will be his ninth trip to the country, but never before has his skills and the bounty of medical supplies he brings with him been so badly needed.

A family medicine physician, Cash is a member of the organization Haiti Medical Missions of Wisconsin. Members of this group have organized annual mission trips to the community of Thiotte (pronounced ch-oat, like goat), a city of 25,000 people with an additional 20,000 living within a 10-mile radius of the village in the surrounding countryside. The city is approximately 50 miles from the capital city Port au Prince.  With the devastation that occurred across the country, Cash expects that there will be large numbers of injured and seriously ill awaiting care at the clinic and hospital run by the organization.  Regrettably, many will have serious injuries, with some requiring amputations.

“I am planning to see a great deal of earthquake victims,” he said just prior to his departure. “We have a good base of operations there, including a full surgical suite.”  Cash is bringing with him pharmaceutical supplies donated by the pharmacy at Fort HealthCare’s Fort Memorial Hospital. In addition, he will deliver donated and purchased IV fluids and bandages.  An appeal to Fort HealthCare employees and medical staff resulted in an outpouring of generous monetary donations.  The total, as of January 26 was in excess of $6500.

Travel to Haiti was severely compromised both by the earthquake and the overwhelming response from countries around the world.  Cash found his travel plans cancelled three times.  He leaves on Friday, January 29 on an alternate route that takes him through the Dominican Republic.

Persons interested in donating funds in support of the trip can make checks payable to Fort HealthCare (write Haiti Relief in the memo field).  Mail checks to Debbie Pantely, Fort HealthCare, 611 Sherman Avenue, East, Fort Atkinson, WI  53538.  Or, you may donate directly to Haiti Medical Mission of Wisconsin.  Tax-deductible donations are payable to: Haiti Medical Mission, 125 15th Avenue Baraboo, WI  53913. The organization’s website is at www.haitimedicalmission.com.

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