Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children Medical Team Traveling to Haiti on Relief Mission

Physicians, Nurses Specializing in Pediatrics to Care for the Wounded

Falls Church, VA – (January 14, 2010) – In response to Tuesday’s earthquake in Haiti, a medical team from Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children is traveling to the island nation to offer emergency triage care. As part of a coordinated relief effort with the non-profit Community Coalition for Haiti (CCH), the hospital’s medical response team will depart for Haiti as soon as the airport in Port-au-Prince is ready and the team has received clearance to travel (most likely sometime this weekend).

“This devastating event has left millions of Haitians without basic necessities like food, water and medical care,” said Knox Singleton, CEO, Inova Health System. “Inova has a longstanding relationship with CCH and the wonderful people of Haiti. It is our absolute obligation to offer our services and expertise to as many of the sick and wounded as we possibly can.”

Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children has also partnered with Father Rick Frechette, a Roman Catholic priest ministering in Haiti, who founded St. Damien Hospital for Children in Port-au-Prince. Utilizing St. Damien Children’s Hospital as a triage and emergency-care facility, aid from the medical team will encompass clinical care by pediatric physicians, surgeons and specialists, and humanitarian care in the form of medicine, food, clothing and clean water.

Inova officials also are shipping pallets of life-sustaining emergency supplies, such as bandages, gauze, intravenous fluids, water, baby formula, catheters and crutches.

Inova has set up a fund through the Inova Health System Foundation that will funnel 100 percent of the money donated to CCH and other international aid organizations that have immediate ability to help the people of Haiti. To contribute to Haitian earthquake relief efforts, go to inova.org/donate, then click the “Make an online gift today” link. When filling out the form, be sure to choose “Haiti Relief” from the Designation drop-down list. Those interested in contributing may also call 703-289-2072.