Staff Writer
The Meninak Club of Jacksonville’s mantra of “lending help where none is available” has long been ingrained in its many members. Yet, as many of them commented Monday, their most recent speaker has gone above and beyond.
And they didn’t have to go far to find him.
Dr. John Lovejoy Jr., past president and longtime member, found time between trips to earthquake-ravaged Haiti to speak to his fellow members during Monday’s program. During the presentation, he shared his history of involvement with the country as well as some of the candid stories and pictures behind his recent mission to the country.
Following the Jan. 12 earthquake, Lovejoy Jr. and his son — along with several other doctors — departed the U.S. to provide assistance at the Sacred Heart Hospital, one of the last operational and still-standing hospitals in the country 70 miles north of Port-au-Prince. The 73-bed hospital, part of the Center for the Rural Development of Milot (CRUDEM), was one Lovejoy has assisted in the past and had been physically altered to account for the massive intake of patients.
“We had to convert the labor and delivery room, the waiting area, everything,” said Lovejoy Jr. “It really turned into a MASH unit.”
Supplies, including generators provided by Jacksonville-area donors, which had been continuously shipped to the facility over the years, aided the doctors but they still had to improvise. X-ray machines meant for hands had to be used for other appendages. Bolt cutters had to be used to cut metal rods to insert in broken legs. Crutches were used for stabilizing braces.
Lovejoy Jr. showed a collection of graphic images to help Meninak members better comprehend the type of damage victims sustained from collapsed buildings.
“It’s emotional for everyone involved,” he said. “It’s been a remarkable experience that I will always share and remember.”
Besides the other medical professionals and community members he collaborated with in the relief effort, Lovejoy Jr. said one of the things he’ll take away from the experience was the opportunity to work with his son.
“We had our difference of opinions on some things, but we worked together like professionals,” he said, “and I will always remember that.”
A documentary on the efforts and the hospital is currently in production to create awareness of the magnitude of the disaster and while not complete, Meninak members were able to catch a glimpse of some of the scenes depicting patients arriving at Sacred Heart and the mental and physical tolls the efforts took on both patients and their care workers.
Lovejoy Jr. received an extended standing ovation from his fellow Meninaks, with President Kent Lindsey remarking how Lovejoy Jr. was “truly bringing help where none is available.”
Other members agreed.
“It makes me sit back and prioritize things,” said Hank Haynes. “It makes me realize how blessed I truly am ... I wish there was more I could do.”
Lovejoy Jr. isn’t done.
He’ll be flying back down to Haiti over the weekend for another mission trip and encouraged Meninak members to contribute to the effort through CRUDEM.
For more information on the hospital and its relief effort, go to www.crudem.org.
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