I don't know how many of you are aware of this hospital.... it has an interesting history.
Larry Mellon had a ranch in the US west, but wanted to contribute more to the world's well being.
Yes, he was that Mellon family.... the famous one.
He read an article in LIFE magazine about Schweitzer opening a hospital in Africa - and wrote to him.
Schweitzer wrote back!
They exchanged ideas to the point where Mr. Mellon went back to school to study medicine - he became a doctor..... Dr. Larry Mellon
His wife was equally keen on public service.
Mellon asked Schweitzer where in the world he would advise establishing a hospital...... Haiti, was the answer.
And the saga began.
hashaiti.org
en.wikipedia.org
Surprisingly, this hospital has survived all the turmoil, political and otherwise since 1956..... throughout civil strife and dictatorships it has prospered - unhindered.
I find this an amazing record..... just as amazing as how it was conceived.
I had occasion to speak with Dr Mellon's niece recently (93 yrs old) and asked her how the hospital going during the current turbulence.
She had proud & glowing comments.
They have hired a Haitian CEO who has cleaned up the traditional corruption and inefficiencies we know exist in Haiti.
For the first time , the family has not had to fund the hospital every year.
I suggested that there didn't seem to be a solution in sight for today's conflict -
'There isn't', she said.
'They need another dictatorship, most likely.
Life under Papa Doc was the last time things were close to stable.'
I know this only her opinion, but in my mind it's a special one.... from the horse's mouth, so to speak.
She and her family are the board of directors that run the hospital..... she has decades of experience that she speaks from.
I realize her comments will be controversial to this group but I think they are worth airing.
Larry Mellon had a ranch in the US west, but wanted to contribute more to the world's well being.
Yes, he was that Mellon family.... the famous one.
He read an article in LIFE magazine about Schweitzer opening a hospital in Africa - and wrote to him.
Schweitzer wrote back!
They exchanged ideas to the point where Mr. Mellon went back to school to study medicine - he became a doctor..... Dr. Larry Mellon
His wife was equally keen on public service.
Mellon asked Schweitzer where in the world he would advise establishing a hospital...... Haiti, was the answer.
And the saga began.
Overview - Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti
Based in Haiti’s Lower Artibonite Valley, the 200-bed Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti is the only 24/7 full-service hospital serving a population roughly the size of Anaheim, California — more than …
hashaiti.org
Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti - Wikipedia
Surprisingly, this hospital has survived all the turmoil, political and otherwise since 1956..... throughout civil strife and dictatorships it has prospered - unhindered.
I find this an amazing record..... just as amazing as how it was conceived.
I had occasion to speak with Dr Mellon's niece recently (93 yrs old) and asked her how the hospital going during the current turbulence.
She had proud & glowing comments.
They have hired a Haitian CEO who has cleaned up the traditional corruption and inefficiencies we know exist in Haiti.
For the first time , the family has not had to fund the hospital every year.
I suggested that there didn't seem to be a solution in sight for today's conflict -
'There isn't', she said.
'They need another dictatorship, most likely.
Life under Papa Doc was the last time things were close to stable.'
I know this only her opinion, but in my mind it's a special one.... from the horse's mouth, so to speak.
She and her family are the board of directors that run the hospital..... she has decades of experience that she speaks from.
I realize her comments will be controversial to this group but I think they are worth airing.
