Below is copied text from correspondence from the NACHRI lead.  Stay tuned is the bottom-line.

Since we discovered that the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) considered that they had sufficient resources to meet the needs of their footprint in Haiti, we have held many discussions and made outreaches to many Non-governmental Organizations (NGO), the Pan-American Health Organization, USAID, and the military. Our common message and theme has continued to be the importance of meeting the pediatric needs of the Haitian children in a consistent, broad-based fashion and the importance of the pediatric assets here in the U.S.

The USNS Comfort is going to provide medical assistance for at least the next six months and is considering a land-based hospital. Since they do not have sufficient medical staff resources for this additional effort, they are reaching out to other organizations. They have formed a memorandum of understanding that will provide the ability to bring civilian volunteers on board the ship in a rapid fashion. We have seen the paperwork regarding this. We are working on a process that will allow children’s hospitals to participate in this program. I hope to communicate more about this soon.

So, please continue to look at the operational needs of your organization and solicit for volunteers. Our long term goal is to still encourage the NDMS to better incorporate the needs of children within their system and to finalize the rapid federalization of employment within the Medical Reserve Corps to improve the incorporation of pediatric medical volunteers when a disaster strikes. To this end, we are meeting with the NDMS staff next Tuesday. I would appreciate still receiving your volunteers so that we can show the power of children’s hospitals and the important role you play in the event of a disaster.

Jackie Gonzalez, senior vice president and chief nursing officer, at Miami Children’s Hospital is coordinating pediatric volunteers for Project Medishare (www.projectmedishare) who has operations next to the Port-au-Prince airport. Contact Jackie (305/663-6860, jackie.gonzalez@mch.com) if you have volunteer/teams that would like to assist with these efforts.

I appreciate all of your support and efforts during these difficult time. Thank you so much for all of your support. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Trish

Patricia K. Adair, CAE

Director, Education & Member Services

National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions

P: 703.797.6009 | F: 703.683.1589 | C: 703.618.7474

Plan to attend NACHRI's 2010 Creating Connections Conference