I have some inspiring news to share with you. In 4 weeks I will be traveling to Haiti for 4 weeks to provide maternity care services in a town called Milot in northern Haiti. I will be volunteering as a family doctor at Hôpital Sacré Coeur, the largest  hospital in this region, attending births full time alongside the midwives who deliver 99% of the babies there, and assisting the OBs when their involvement in the birthing process becomes necessary.

Haiti has the highest maternal mortality rate in the western hemisphere, with an astonishing loss of 800 mothers per 100,000 births. I anticipate that being there will be a profound experience with a lot to learn, and I am deeply grateful for this opportunity.

There is so much to do now — in a short time -- to get ready for my trip.  I’ll write again soon, but in the meantime if you are interested, you can watch a photo essay about the midwives of Hôpital Sacré Coeur here.

In good medicine,
Aviva