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A story by Jessica Dinh, Nurse, who shares her story while volunteering in Jamaica.

According to google the definition of life changing is…

"having an effect that is strong enough to change someone’s life: a life-changing decision/moment. Having a powerful effect."

It’s feels like such an understatement and a cliche to say these past 10 days have been life changing. But it is the literal truth. Anhtuan and I were blessed to join the Issa Trust Foundation for it’s 2017 Pediatric Medical Mission Trip in Jamaica. Thanks to Diane Pollard and Kerri Cook for making this possible.

I wish I could articulate the hundred of moments that i got to be apart of. The group of 42 people that were there we’re such amazing, compassionate individuals and I can’t imagine doing this with anyone else. As I decompress and fully look back at everything we did I know more things will come to me. For now I wanted to share one moment in particular.

 

Our 2nd clinic location we had a 18 year old girl come in. It was obvious that she was extremely ill and the amazing assessment skills of Laci Swanson and Elizabeth Mitchell Foden recognized this immediately and got her seen very quickly. She was in the end stages of a terminal illness. She only weighed about 75lbs and could barely eat or drink anything because it hurt too bad. To add to everything else she also had pneumonia. 

 

We were able to give her antibiotics and a fluid bolus to help with her extreme dehydration……. and then she was on her way home. I had an extremely hard time this day. I was blessed to get to help comfort her during her IV start and throughout her treatment. Those who know me as a nurse know that I do not shy away from these type of situations. I tend to gravitate towards difficult and hard patients and try to make their experience better in some way. This was no exception, but the feeling I had after was something I’ve never experienced in my professional career. It was a toxic combination of sadness, failure, hopelessness, sorrow and guilt.

 

I watched her leave knowing she would likely die within a few weeks if not sooner. That her death would be painful and horrible. That the severe lack of access to medical care ensured the world would be deprived of the amazing things this girl has to offer. I am not saying in america that we could have changed the end. Maybe so, or at least prolonged it. Enough to let her actually live a full life. Or to simply be comfortable.

 

After a few minutes of feeling sorry for myself I came to a surprising realization. After her fluid bolus she did look "better". We were able to give her a sandwich and fresh fruit (although she wasn’t able to eat much). The antibiotics should begin working and hopefully decrease the amount of pain she is in. I do know she left better than when she came in. And although medically we could not save her. I do pray that she left feeling that people cared about her. That she was important and loved. That she mattered. I sent my small fan I brought with me that hangs around my neck with her. It was a cheap $4 Wal-Mart purchase. But I hope that if all I could give her was a little more comfortable death and the feeling of love, compassion, kindness and respect…..I’m not sure we can ask for much more than that…

 

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” – Mother Teresa

Chairman of the Issa Trust Foundation Paul Issa is pleased with the support received for Saturday’s For the Children charity concert. Held at Couples San Souci Resorts, St Ann, it pulled a huge crowd and allowed the foundation to meet its target of $160,000!
Taken from the Jamaica Gleaner Jun 26, 2017

Chairman of the ISSA Trust Foundation Paul Issa is pleased with the support received for Saturday’s For the Children charity concert. Held at Couples San Souci Resorts, St Ann, it pulled a huge crowd and allowed the foundation to meet its target of $15 million.

Speaking with The Gleaner at the event, Issa said that the foundation may have not only met the target, but exceeded it, He extended his gratitude to those who came out and supported the initiative.

Issa told The Gleaner that funds raised from the concert would go a long way in helping to improve conditions at the St Ann’s Bay Hospital. “I think it went very well. The turnout was great. We sold out completely. This project was specifically for the paediatric ward at the St Ann’s Bay Hospital. I think this is a good start, and we’re on our way. We have been working very closely with the hospital. We did a lot of work in their neo-natal intensive care unit, and now we’re focusing on the whole paediatric ward,” Issa said.

Having booked Air Supply for this year’s event and executing a world-class show, Issa says that he is already thinking of ways to top this year’s event. “I don’t know who we’ll choose, but we chose Tessanne and Air Supply this year, and it was a great show,” Issa said.

Issa Trust Foundation, Goodwill Ambassadors, Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock traveled to Jamaica and immersed themselves into the culture and spent time touring Annotto Bay Hospital, St. Ann’s Bay Hospital and Free Hill Primary and Infant School in St. Mary Jamaica. We know the power of music can be healing and impact a person’s life. To have award-winning artists bring awareness and partner with the Issa Trust Foundation’s sustainable and measurable programs is heartwarming and lifesaving. The healing power of music enriches our lives, and Air Supply has been providing the world with “The Power of Health & Love” for 40 years!

We are thrilled to come back to Jamaica in support of the Pediatric Ward of St. Ann’s Bay Hospital and the wonderful work they do and of course also to perform again for our loyal fans. – Russell Hitchcock

To be performing a show for the St. Anne’s Pediatric Ward is a great thrill for Air Supply, one of the highlights of our long career. We are hoping that people will respond to this great cause and donate as much as they can to give much needed assistance to these beautiful children! – Graham Russell

The Trust Foundation Pediatric Education Seminar will provide Midwives and Nurses with general information regarding the care of neonates.

May 1^st & 2^nd at Couples Swept Away Resort Conference Room

May 4^th & 5^th at Couples Sans Souci Conference Room

Times: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Lunch and Refreshments Provided

Cost: US $10.00 at the door. Please bring exact change

Seminar Description: Who should enroll: This seminar will provide midwives and nurses with general information regarding pediatric and neonatal care. The educational program will be geared toward “take home” messages that can be instituted in to medical practice. In addition to didactic lectures, interactive sessions, team-based learning objectives and newborn resuscitation skill sessions and simulation will be incorporated into the seminar. 

Instructors:

• Kerri Cook RN, Pediatric Critical Care Nurse, Blank Children’s Hospital, Des Moines, Iowa, Issa Trust Foundation Advisory Board Member

• Elizabeth Landry RN, Pediatric Critical Care Nurse, Pediatric Transport Team Life Flight, Blank Children’s Hospital Des Moines, Iowa
• Chris Eckardt RN, Neonatal Critical Care Nurse, Blank Children’s Hospital, Des Moines, Iowa

Questions? Email diane.pollard@issatrustfoundation.com or call 876-503-5903 or 515-480-1683

Schedule

Monday May 1, 2017

9:00a – 9:15a	Introduction, Overview of Program, Distribute materials, pretest
9:15 a – 10:00a	Infection control/team building with your co workers
10:00a – 11:00a	Fluid balance and IV management
11:00a – 12:00p	Medication calculation
12:00p – 1:00p	Lunch
1:00p – 2:00p	NRP review
2:00p – 3:00p	Hands on
Review of neonatal resuscitation, hands on with simulation – bag/mask ventilation, (will limit participant number each day)

  Tuesday, May 2, 2017

9:00a –10:00a	Respiratory and ventilator review
10:00a – 11:00a	Care of infant during prolonged delivery/delayed cord clamping
11:00a – 12:00p	Developmental and kangaroo care/bereavement
12:00p – 1:00p	Lunch
1:00p – 2:00p	hands on
2:00p – 3:00p	post test, further questions evaluations
Review of neonatal resuscitation, hands on with simulation – bag/mask, (will limit participant number each day)

May 4^th

9:00a – 9:15a	Introduction, Overview of Program, Distribute materials, pretest
9:15 a – 10:00a	Infection control/team building with your co workers
10:00a – 11:00a	Fluid balance and IV management
11:00a – 12:00p	Medication calculation
12:00p – 1:00p	Lunch
1:00p – 2:00p	NRP review
2:00p – 3:00p	Hands on
Review of neonatal resuscitation, hands on with simulation – bag/mask ventilation, (will limit participant number each day)

  May 5^th

9:00a –10:00a	Respiratory and ventilator review
10:00a – 11:00a	Care of infant during prolonged delivery/delayed cord clamping
11:00a – 12:00p	Developmental and kangaroo care/bereavement
12:00p – 1:00p	Lunch
1:00p – 2:00p	hands on
2:00p – 3:00p	post test, further questions evaluations
Review of neonatal resuscitation, hands on with simulation – bag/mask, (will limit participant number each day)

To Register, email the following information to Ms. Roxanne Henlon:
E-mail: roxanne.henlon@nerha.gov.jm

Name
Telephone Number
Email address
Place of work
Position
Dates Attending : May 1st and 2nd @ Couples Swept Away or May 3rd and 4th at Couples Sans Souci

Direct relief is a humanitarian aid organization, active in all 50 states and 70 countries, with a mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies. Direct relief’s work earns wide recognition from independent charity evaluators, including a 100% fundraising efficiency rating from Forbes, the no. 1 spot on charity navigator’s list of the “10 best charities everyone’s heard of,” and inclusion in fast company’s list of “the world’s most innovative nonprofits.”

Jamaica Information Service Article: Ministry of Health Receives Donation of US$2 Million Worth of Pharmaceuticals

Photo:Minister of Health, Hon Horace Dalley (2nd right) discusses some of the items donated by Issa Trust Foundation and Direct Relief with Permanent Secretary, Dr. Kevin Harvey (right), Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Marion Bullock DuCasse (centre), Chairman of the Issa Trust Foundation, Paul Issa (left) and CEO of the Issa Trust Foundation, Dianne Pollard (2nd left) during the handing over of US$2 million worth of pharmaceuticals held at the Kingston Public Hospital on Friday, January 15, 2016.

Sav La Mar Hospital received a donation 13 Stretcher beds, new mattresses and equipment donated in September 2016. The Accident and Emergency Department gave thanks for the donation.

Unlocking doors by opening eyes

An amazing team of volunteers embarked on the Vision Mission to impact the lives of the children in health and education. This has been one of the most fulfilling experiences to watch the incredible gift of the volunteers, and teachers showing genuine sense of compassion and love. The team spent two days at the Ocho Rios Primary School, one day at the Oracabessa High School and Free Hill Primary School. In 4 days, the team provided 1, 505 eye exams, 293 glasses were dispensed in addition to 17 referrals at no cost.

Celebrating our 10th Year Anniversary! Thank you to all of our partners, volunteers and friends for your support!

View “Celebrating 10 Years of Giving Back” commemorative online brochure on the Jamaica Gleaner Website

We are excited to announce The Issa Trust Foundation’s 12th mission in partnership with the North East Regional Health Authority.

Annually, the Issa Trust Foundation sponsors a free pediatric medical mission in Jamaica. The 2016 team of 41 volunteers includes pediatric cardiologists, neonatologist, general pediatric nurses, physicians, and pharmacists are excited to serve the parish of St. Mary and St. Ann The team will be providing complete medical exams, laboratory testing, fluoride treatment and medications. In addition, children will be provided cardiology exam with an echocardiogram in the clinic if needed. As in past years, all children will receive free eye exams and receive their glasses immediately after their exam, provided by the Michigan Lions.