Last year, Lent was a bleak season for Hôpital Sacré Coeur. We all prayed for the coming of Easter in a particular way; news of a better future for the hospital. Last spring, the reality of an earthquake, a deadly cholera epidemic, a battering round of tropical storms and a ferocious hurricane that gobbled up a huge chunk of Haiti’s agricultural system came home to roost.
We had expanded the hospital facilities in early 2010, to meet the tragic demand of the earthquake, for what we assumed would be a temporary season. We were wrong. Three years later, the demand for services at Hôpital Sacré Coeur remains strong and expands daily. A return to the 63 beds of pre-quake days is not possible. Today we sit at 122 beds and could easily fill more. Unfortunately, our operating budget did return to pre-quake levels, at a time when the expense of keeping the hospital doors open more than doubled. Last Lent, we faced the biggest financial crisis in the 26-year history of CRUDEM.
Then, at our darkest 11th hour, an angel stepped forward: Holy Name Medical Center of Teaneck, New Jersey.
With hearts of compassion, a twenty year history of sending volunteer medical teams to Hôpital Sacré Coeur, and unparalleled resources in hospital administration, Holy Name Medical Center offered to cover the immediate financial gaps and provide hands on program and resources assistance in Milot.
With the unanimous support of the CRUDEM Board of Directors and the enthusiastic support of CRUDEM and HSC staff, the CRUDEM Foundation became a subsidiary of the Holy Name Medical Center Foundation. And, most importantly, the people of northern Haiti gained in assurance that Hôpital Sacré Coeur would exist and thrive for generations to come.
Mike Maron, President and CEO of Holy Name Medical Center and President of CRUDEM’s Board of Directors, has traveled to Milot a dozen times in the past 16 months, bringing with him almost two dozen of his key hospital managers. Their enthusiasm for CRUDEM/Hôpital Sacré Coeur grew with each contact as they embraced the challenge to craft a hospital model in Milot that can be replicated throughout the country.
Holy Name is working with US professionals and their Haitian counterparts to design, implement and fund a viable, sustainable and quality-driven healthcare system centered at Hôpital Sacré Coeur and to create a better tomorrow for the people of the northern region. Already, the results are impressive.
Medical supplies arrive on a consistent basis, program and financial infrastructures have strengthened, the arrival of volunteer medical teams more closely align with hospital clinic and surgical needs, patient care improves weekly, and the hospital staff’s and the community’s morale and sense of hope soars.
Work has already begun with Cannon Design of Chicago for the construction of a new physical plant to be completed within 3 years. The core of the physical and programmatic vision includes: improved clinical quality and patient outcomes; expanded continuing education and community outreach, and the assurance that the hospital is flexible, efficient and scalable.
At its heart, the plan takes seriously the importance of providing quality healthcare to our patients in an uncompromising atmosphere of dignity and respect.
CRUDEM/Hôpital Sacré Coeur now enjoys a more hopeful future, but it is a future that still depends on your continuing support. Holy Name has brought our community an Easter of possibilities and immediate, tangible realities, but not a blank check.
Holy Name cannot be expected to cover all the expenses involved in maintaining HSC. The CRUDEM Foundation must still supply the vast majority of funding for the hospital. If we expect Holy Name to continue to partner with us, as we strive to attain the new goals set for the hospital, CRUDEM must demonstrate that it is capable of meeting and exceeding our past financial contributions.
We sincerely appreciate your continuing support. Your role in securing the future of Hôpital Sacré Coeur remains as critical and valuable as ever.
Holy Name Medical Center explains their involvement in this investment in Milot, “This is our passion. This is our promise. This is our pledge.” Please join us in turning your passion for Hôpital Sacré Coeur into a pledge of financial support so the people of northern Haiti can enjoy a better tomorrow.
Thank you!
David G. Butler, M.D.
Chairman
The CRUDEM Foundation
