In response to the continuing shortage of medical doctors in Haiti following the recent devastating earthquake, the American Academy of Neurology is asking its 24,000 members to consider volunteering their time in Haiti. The Academy is working with Operation Blessing International to help recruit volunteer neurologists this summer and fall.

“The Academy is stepping in to help meet an enormous medical need in Haiti, where there continues to be a lack of medical care to support those affected by the earthquake and poverty overall,” said Anthony G. Alessi, MD, of William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich, Conn., and a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology who is a longtime volunteer with Operation Blessing International.

Operation Blessing International has served to meet the needs of Haiti since the earthquake struck in January 2010. Beyond supplying millions of dollars’ worth of medicine, food, water and relief supplies, Operation Blessing International has provided services such as water treatment, cholera relief and more. In its continuing efforts, a primary goal has been strengthening the current health system.

Volunteer physicians travelling to Haiti will provide care for a variety of medical needs, including neurologic care, which includes diagnosing, treating and managing brain disorders such as brain injury, multiple sclerosis and stroke.

All physicians volunteering must hold a valid US medical license and medical liability insurance. Volunteer trips to Haiti generally last one to two weeks. There are four start date options for volunteers beginning at the end of July and continuing through September. In addition, Operation Blessing is planning trips through December with specific dates for those trips to soon be announced on the Operation Blessing website.

Physicians interested in volunteering can register with Operation Blessing International at http://www.ob.org/haitiprojects/volunteer.asp.

The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 24,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, migraine, multiple sclerosis, brain injury, Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy.

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Source: American Academy of Neurology (AAN)