VOLUME XX NO. 1 SPRING 2012

How You Can Help : A Story of Collaboration

Make a financial contribution Wampusirpi, in the department of through our website, or by sending a Gracias a Dios in Honduras, has no check. Consider making a recurring potable water, no electricity, and no monthly donation by credit card. paved roads. It does have a small maternal/infant clinic, led by a Promote our nebulizer campaign. dedicated doctor who trained at the If you don’t have one to donate, Latin America Medical School (ELAM) in please help spread the word. Visit our Cuba, but until recently it had only one website, globallinks.org, for details. nebulizer in the community for treating Enroll your business in 1% for the asthma, and had run out of syringes. Planet and designate Global Links as And, due to its location, bringing in the beneficiary. medical supplies is challenging, risky, and expensive. Photo by Karen Calderón Volunteer to help sort and pack supplies or prepare furnishings. Global Links Program Officer José Henríquez arrived in Gracias a Dios shortly after donations of medical aid from Global Host a baby shower. Collect new Links reached eight small health centers in the region. The 40-foot container traveled to baby items that are appropriate in Puerto Cortes on an ocean freighter, and was then transferred to a smaller freighter for the countries where we work. Details the trip down the coast. On reaching , the container was opened on the available at www.globallinks.org. ship – at sea, as there is no dock – and the contents unloaded into smaller boats, long and narrow, called pipantes. Exam tables, beds, large cabinets and equipment, along Attend a tour to learn more about with box after box of supplies, were all carefully handed down to the small vessels tied what we do and how we do it. alongside the freighter.

Transport of the sea container from Pittsburgh to Brus Laguna was underwritten by the Honduran Ministry of Health as well as a private grant for support of facilities where

Global Links is a Pittsburgh-based ELAM graduates are working. Once the pipantes headed inland through the mangrove medical relief and development swamps, however, the municipalities themselves were paying for transport. Every box was organization dedicated to precious. promoting environmental stewardship and improving health José describes the area as in resource-poor communities, primarily in Latin America and the having a “culture of water – Caribbean. Hospitals and clinics whatever they do, they do in under-served communities often along the water.” Rivers serve as lack the supplies and equipment necessary to provide even basic roadways, and this most recent care to their patients. At the same donation of medical aid traveled time, the US healthcare industry in seven or eight narrow pipantes generates a staggering amount for about eight hours to reach of medical surplus which, without intervention, is destined to pile up Wampusirpi. Once there, the in our landfills. Global Links’ innova- town came out to unload it. tive model of recovery and reuse connects these two social prob- “They were very careful with lems in a way that helps to solve both, creating a “virtuous circle” everything,” José remarked. “I that converts an environmental was impressed. Everything was in burden to a life-saving purpose. The town of Wampusirpi perfect condition.” (continued on page 3) Staff Increasing Capacity for Cardiac Care in Havana

Kathleen G. Hower “You can really see the CEO and Co-founder impact,” said Program Officer Marisol Valentin after visiting the Angela Garcia Deputy Director Institute of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery in Don Tinker Havana, Cuba, in December. Bookkeeper “Investing in this hospital has Charity M. Grimes made such a difference.” Administrative Assistant The hospital provides Henry Goodwin Custodian cardiology services in the territory of Havana, and is a INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL AID national reference facility. Sixteen hours after cardiac surgery, this patient’s Sally Fishback Toward the end of 2009, it recovery – in a bed from Global Links – is progressing Inventory Specialist began rebuilding the well. Dr. Fausto Rodiguez, next to the bed, is head of cardiovascular surgery section José Henríquez the new surgical ward. Program Officer, South and with four new state-of-the-art Central America operating rooms and a 32-bed Marisol Wandiga Valentin critical care post-surgical patient ward. Program Officer, Caribbean Region At the end of the first phase of construction in 2010, the first two operating rooms were Ellen Wilson complete, but the new ward could not open because there were no patient recovery Suture and beds. After the Ministry of Health advised Global Links of the need, we responded with a Communications Manager donation of 31 hospital beds and mattresses that arrived in June. Thanks to this donation, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP IN the ward was opened in November of 2010. HEALTHCARE These ICU beds can be more easily adjusted for fragile patients, speeding recovery and Hayley Brugos increasing patient comfort. In addition, the beds weigh at least 400 pounds apiece. Medical Outreach Manager This translates into well over 12,000 pounds of equipment that is highly desirable and yet David Davis would have piled up in a landfill in the United States. Warehouse and Logistics Manager Kyle Kline In 2011, the cardiology service performed 400 operations, with all patients recovering on SCA Green Cities Fellow beds from Global Links. The hospital expects to add the final two new operating rooms in 2012, with each room handling about 200 operations per year, greatly increasing Robin Checkley cardiology services in the country. Jason Katsos Mike Smith Global Links is continuing our long-term commitment to better healthcare in Cuba by Warehouse Assistants working with these dedicated partners on new projects in 2012. COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND EDUCATION

Abdul Ahmed Volunteer Coordinator Environmental Impact Christina Gerstel Volunteer Program Manager In 2011, Global Links recovered over 280 tons of surplus materials from healthcare Jennifer Novelli facilities (hospitals, senior living facilities, and the community). All of these materials Community Outreach Manager would have piled up in landfills in the United States, but were redirected to underserved areas to save lives and improve health. Eileen Weiner, Esq. Director of Organizational Initiatives Shannon Black Katie Gascoine Health Corps Members GLOBAL LINKS NEWSLETTER, SPRING 2012

2 Continued from page 1 It would be much easier to provide medical aid only to the big hospitals in Tegucigalpa and other major cities in Honduras, but these rural areas are underserved and in dire need. And the municipalities themselves have clearly demonstrated how invested they are in working with Global Links to improve healthcare resources in their communities.

“Your support shows a high human sensibility,” commented the mayor of Wampusirpi to José. He was amazed at how precisely the donation addressed the community’s needs, having never worked with Global Links before.

If every health center had basic equipment – blood pressure units, baby scales – many health problems could be detected early, before they become complicated and require hospitalization and the disruption of life and family that usually entails. Photo by Karen Calderón The container from Global Links is unloaded at Global Links will continue to work in the Gracias a Dios department because sea onto smaller boats. of the extreme poverty and need, and because providing basic materials in a community such as this pays big dividends in terms of health and dignity.

Now the health institutions of Wampusirpi have four nebulizers – essential for treating the respiratory diseases prevalent in the area. The health centers have new beds, chairs, office equipment, stethoscopes, thermometers, and over 100 boxes of supplies – enough to last almost a year.

The value of this project to the people in these communities was obvious to José. “The poverty in the area is profound,” he remarked, “There are many reasons to despair. But I found reasons for optimism as well. ELAM graduates are committed to helping their own people raise themselves out of poverty The mangroves allow only small boats to pass. and live healthier, better lives. And Global Links is committed to backing their efforts. That’s a great decision. We all have the same goals here.”

Working with dedicated partners is the best way to ensure that projects such as this recent one in Wampusirpi improve healthcare – and life – in the area.

Dr. Karen Calderón, an ELAM graduate, in her Two ELAM graduates in the clinic in Cauquira, Dr. Gisele office in Wampusirpi. Echeverría and Dr. Mayra Haylock.

GLOBAL LINKS NEWSLETTER, SPRING 2012

3 Board of Directors Students Sharpen OR Skills while Providing

Mimi Falbo, DNP, RN, Chair Essential Service Executive Consultant, Mimi Falbo LLC On certain Monday mornings at Global Links, Jeffrey Ford, C.P.A. the main sorting table is piled with intricately Vice Chair fashioned, gleaming stainless steel surgical instru- Partner, Grossman Yanak & Ford LLP ments, all being examined by surgical technology students and faculty from Sanford-Brown Institute. Charles Vargo Treasurer Executive Director, The Washington “Those are vascular clamps . . . those are ear Physician Hospital Organization, Inc. curettes. . . . Oh, neuro likes these . . . .” Instructor Donna Grubbs stands over the table. “The Eugene F. Lauer, S.T.D. students see things here they’ve never seen Secretary Pastoral Ministry Consultant, before, and it helps them with categorizing, Diocese of Pittsburgh especially with the specialty instruments.”

Kathleen G. Hower For Global Links, the students are performing CEO, Co-founder, Global Links a crucial service by identifying and sorting the Daniel Kovalik instruments, as well as other medical materials. “Having these essential tools identified by Associate General Counsel, specialty is so important,” says Medical Outreach Manager Hayley Brugos. “We are United Steelworkers, AFL-CIO (USW) grateful when volunteers like the Sanford-Brown team come to share their expertise.” Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, MD, M.Ed Assistant Professor, Global Health “We know that life-saving surgeries are cancelled for lack of equipment,” adds Deputy OB-GYN and Reproductive Biology Director Angela Garcia. “Now we can make sure the right instruments are reaching UH MacDonald Women’s Hospital hospitals where they will be most useful. Lives will be saved. And these students will

Miguel Marquez, M.D. graduate with an awareness of how Global Links works to recover surplus materials and Pan American Health Organization, reduce waste. We hope they will become future champions of our programs.” retired

Gregory K. Peaslee Senior Vice President, UPMC Supplies Benefit HIV Study in Uganda Chief Human Resources and Mara Horwitz told Global Links that her Fogarty Study Team at the Kiboga District Hospital Administrative Service Officer in rural Uganda was often low on materials, due to supply chain delays and low stock Patricia Rambasek, CFRE at the hospital that hosts the clinic. In answer to Mara’s request last fall, Global Links Community Leader provided gloves, sterile gauze, medi- cal tape, syringes and blood collection Robin Sheldon tubes for the clinic. Associate University Counsel, Thomas Jefferson University While the focus of the project is to deter- Barry L. Silverman mine if early screening and treatment of Technology Consultant tuberculosis and meningitis can improve outcomes for patients beginning anti- Mahmood Usman, M.D., M.M.M. Psychiatrist retroviral therapy for HIV, the clinic also provides inpatient care and other medical services for patients participat- ing in the study.

“All of the supplies are extremely

useful,” Mara wrote, “but sterile gauze Mara Horwitz photo and syringes have been the most Clinic staff in Uganda unpacking the boxes valuable because there is simply no of supplies from Global Links. good substitute for them!” GLOBAL LINKS NEWSLETTER, SPRING 2012

4 Supporting Community Health in Haiti Global Links recent projects in Haiti have focused on supporting Haitian graduates of the Latin American School of Medicine, who are dedicated to helping their fellow Haitians. One recent partner is Dr. Douly Caillot – one of the first Haitian doctors to come over with the Cuban Brigade after the 2010 earthquake.

Since then, Dr. Caillot has set up his medical practice and purchased an ambulance, through which he provides free emergency services and health clinics. He is also certified in Community Health Services by the Latin American Medical School through a training program provided in Haiti.

In October, Dr. Caillot asked Global Links to support his ambulance service. He urgently needed a portable ventilator, and thanks to a donation by Butler Memorial Hospital, we were able to provide one. We also provided patient transfer boards, collapsible IV poles, digital thermometers, a blood pressure unit, a fetal Doppler, nebulizers and boxes of medical supplies. Dr. Caillot and some patients at one of his mobile clinics. Global Links is proud to support Haitian doctors like Dr. Caillot, who are giving their personal time and money to improve the public health system in Haiti. As a colleague of Dr. Caillot said, “We are of the generation that believes that things can be different and change is possible.”

Suture Reaches Kenyan Hospital in Time for Emergency C-Section

On December 6th, 2011, 23-year-old Elossy was turned away from the local government hospital when she was in active labor because there was a healthcare workers strike.

Elossy then went to Chogoria Hospital, which has been a Suture Program recipient since 1995, and had just received a donation at the end of November. Chogoria normally charges a nominal fee for admission, but Elossy had nothing – no family, and no money.

While Global Links International Medical Aid Program focuses primarily on nine countries in this hemi- sphere, the Suture Program has a worldwide reach. Suture is light and easily transported, and Global Links can have an enormous impact on the care a hospital provides by donating this one product. To receive sutures from Global Links, hospitals must care for patients who are unable to pay.

“Upon telling her story to our staff, time was of essence,” wrote Dr. George Mwaniki, chief medical officer at Chogoria. “Since she had three previous scars and was contracting, she was immediately admitted into the labor ward and rushed to theatre where she underwent an emergency cesarean section and delivered a handsome baby boy.”

After spending three days in the hospital, Elossy was discharged on December 10th, 2011. Dr. Mwaniki wrote that she had tears in her eyes because they weren’t making her pay anything. “We cannot thank Elossy and her you enough for considering us for your donations; they will go a long way in touching the hearts of the healthy new son. very needy patients with no one else to turn to.” GLOBAL LINKS NEWSLETTER, SPRING 2012

5 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 3272 4809 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, PA Second Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15224 Phone 412.361.3424 Fax 412.361.4950 globallinks.org

Imagine going to a hospital and not having sheets on your bed. Global Links includes linens in most of our shipments, because they are in short supply in the hospitals where we work. We are always looking for more commercial-grade linens from hospitals and hotels. Sheets are not only important for patient comfort, they are essential for basic hygiene. If your facility has surplus linens, please email hbrugos@globallinks. org or call 412.361.3424, ext. 213.

Volunteers from BNY Mellon spent several mornings sorting and packing sheets at Global Links.

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