KKFX San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, Santa Barbara - News-Local Doctors Help Heal Haitian Earthquake Survivors
Member Center:
3/11/10
SANTA MARIA - Two doctors from the Central Coast are giving their time and using their medical expertise to help the people of Haiti.
"I would say that although I love my job here, it pays for my true passion, which is going abroad," said Dr. Debra Weinstein, Marian Medical Center emergency room doctor.
Weinstein says she's motivated by traveling around the world to help those in need.
She's been on upwards of 30 relief effort trips and just returned from Haiti.
"Very overwhelming, devastating, but heart-warming," she said.
Even though Dr. Weinstein spent nine days and sleepless nights helping heal open wounds, burns and illnesses, she says the Haitian people healed her soul.
"They're an amazing people. They have incredible tenacity and they inspire you. They inspire you to want to be a better person," she said.
Another Marian Medical Center doctor is on his way.
Family practice physician Kamlesh Desai sees it all on a daily basis, but he says he lives for trips like this.
"It sounds corny, but most doctors want to actually help people," said Dr. Desai.
The doctors want so much to help, that they pay out-of-pocket for these trips, work with colleagues to rearrange patient schedules, and take time off of work.
"You go through, like 200 people a day in those disaster situations, and you've given very good medical care, the same medical care you get here," said Desai, "but here you go through 20 to 25 patients a day, and you feel like you've gotta pull your hair out, you know, in terms of all the documentation and everything. So it's a lot more rewarding is the best way to say it."
Both doctors say the hardest part about the whole trip isn't the destruction and illness, it's getting there.
Some organizations say they're no longer in need of volunteers and others need a long-term commitment.
The doctors' trip is through an organization called Vision International Missions.
Dr. Weinstein just got back from Haiti a week ago and Dr. Desai leaves next Friday.
