Haiti Marks 5th Anniversary Of Deadly Quake, Local Hospital Honored
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Haiti is marking the fifth anniversary of a devastating earthquake, and a Pittsburgh based hospital in that country is being honored.
An estimated 300-thousand people died, and thousands others were injured by the quake that leveled much of the capital and surrounding area on Jan. 12, 2010.
A hospital founded by a Pittsburgher in the mid-1950's cared for many of the injured after the quake.
Today that hospital received special recognition to mark the quake anniversary.
"We really appreciate the support for the many years we've been in operation and the continued support of Pittsburghers," said Director of Development, Lenora Vesio.
Haiti's Hôpital Albert Schweitzer or (HAS) received more than a thousand patients after the earthquake, and was able to keep up because of the dedication from people in the Pittsburgh area.
County Executive Rich Fitzgerald presented a proclamation to hospital administrators, some of whom are based in Pittsburgh.
The hospital is the work of Pittsburgh native Larry and Gwen Mellon who founded the facility in 1956, and now is composed of 99-percent Haitian physicians and staff.
The hospital provides modern medicine like pre-and post natal care, immunizations, and helped stem deadly diseases like Cholera.
"Without the support of Pittsburghers, HAS would not be able to be as effective as we are."
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