February: Ukraine
Seven pallets of medical supplies and 2 wheelchairs were donated to Ukraine. This was accomplished with the ongoing support of the NC non-profit Ukrainians in the Carolinas https://www.ukrainiansinthecarolinas.org/ who coordinate the transport and distribution of these much needed supplies. This organization has been collecting and shipping medical supplies to Ukraine to help help refugees, wounded warriors and civilians impacted by the war in their country since 2014.
March: Durham Rescue Mission, Durham, NC
Six cartons of personal hygiene and maternal and baby care items were donated locally to the Durham Rescue Mission’s Women’s Shelter for distribution to their residents. Duke medical students also volunteer regularly at the Men’s Shelter to help provide hygiene items and assist with meal service. The Durham Rescue Mission is the areas oldest and largest long-term homeless shelter, providing food, clothing, permanent supportive housing, vocational training, counseling, job placement, education, accountability and much more to men, women and children in need https://durhamrescuemission.org/
February: Fremont People’s Free Health Clinic, Fremont, NC
Beginning in 1980, the Fremont People’s Clinic has provided free healthcare to hundreds of patients in Fremont, NC; a rural town approximately 90 miles from Durham. Each month, Duke medical students, an attending preceptor, and Fremont community members provide no-cost services such as flu vaccines and chronic disease management. Medical supplies are currently funded through the Duke Medical Student Council and various public service funds. First year medical students also have monthly trainings pertinent to primary care and community health. REMEDY donated 2 cartons of misc. primary care supplies for this project.
April: Liberia
56 cartons of PPE (masks, face shields, goggles and isolation gowns) were donated to JFK Medical Center, a community hospital in Monrovia, Liberia that offers free care to financially challenged patients. The donation was arranged by Duke nurse manager, Amanda Thomas, via WINGS Women’s Group in Raleigh, NC. They are a group of professional women dedicated to making an impact on women and children within the community and around the globe while creating social awareness.
May: Nuba, Sudan
Three cartons of medical/surgical supplies were donated to Mother of Mercy Hospital in the Nuba mountains of southern Sudan. It is the only hospital serving the region during a 20+ year armed conflict. The hospital is served by Dr. Tom Catena, a 1999 Duke medical graduate who has been working in Sudan since 2008. The supplies were transported by Duke medical student, Parker Savage.
May: Mbarara, Uganda
Anthony Eze is global health resident in Duke’s General Surgery program whose research interest is focused on reducing surgical disparities in LMICs through the development of low cost surgical supplies. He brought 2 bags of misc. med/surg supplies to Mbarara, Uganda where he volunteered to provide surgical care at the local hospital.
May: Durham, NC
Duke medical and PA students volunteered at a “Meet Me At The Bridge” event with the Durham Rescue Mission where they donated hygiene supplies to area homeless people.
May: Migori, Kenya
Duke head & neck oncologist Tammara Watts brought 3 cartons of surgical supplies to Migori, Kenya where she joined a team that provides ENT surgery with the support of the non-profit Kenya Relief (kenyarelief.org)
July: Moldova
16 pallets of surplus PPE plus 40 adult walkers and 2 wheelchairs were donated to the Republic of Moldova through the NC-Moldova Partnership coordinated by the NC Dept of State in Raleigh. These supplies will be distributed to hospitals in Moldova with the help of the Moldova World Children’s Fund, which is based in Hendersonville, NC. Moldova is one of Europe’s poorest countries, with its resources under additional stress due to the ongoing war in neighboring Ukraine.
July: Monrovia, Liberia
Two large duffle bags of miscellaneous med/surg supplies were transported to Redemption Hospital in Monrovia, Liberia by Morrisville, NC nurse Memezie Kradii, a native of Liberia. Redemption is a public hospital providing free medical care to the people of New Kru Town.
August: Guatemala
Duke School of Nursing Students traveled to Guatemala as part of a service learning project associated with the non-profit Cureamericas Global, which provides healthcare assistance to poor rural communities, including maternal and child wellness services. Students took a variety of medical supplies with them for donation to various facilities.