Gay Ann, OR NURSE ("nice things come in small packages")

"I'm Gay Ann Gatpandan, born and raised in the quiet and peaceful town of Bukidnon in the southern island of Mindanao in the Philippines. I speak Tagalo as the national language, but my native tongue is Bisaya. I pursued my studies in Cebu City where I earned my Bachelor's of Nursing degree and worked as an OR nurse. In 2003, I joined the Staff of Sinai Hospital of Baltimore doing what I loved the most, being an OR nurse. The experience taught me advanced health technologies and skills to adapt to a dynamic environment. On the other hand, it also gives me a chance to travel, see new places,and meet people of different kind which I find very enriching. I'll be forever grateful for the opportunities that was given to me. With what I'm blessed with, I hope to give back by sharing my time and caring for those in need. What better way than being in the nursing profession wherever I may be...."

Tamysen Regan, ST USN(ret)....the "y" is SILENT!!!

Tamysen (the "y" is silent) tells us, "I have always wanted to go on a mission trip, and am so thankful for the opportunity. Knowing that they will be giving me so much more then I can ever give them is quite a feeling I am looking forward to. It is exciting to think that this will be the first of many mission trips. I suppose this is me in a nutshell - I was born and for the most part raised in Wyoming. After finishing High School I joined the Navy where I met Dr. Delanois. He trained me in the world of Orthopedic surgery. After spending 10 years on the east coast, I moved back west to Colorado, where I have lived for the past 3 yrs. Dr. D called me last Aug to let me know of a new job opportunity and I've been here at Sinai Hospital since October! I am currently in school for First Assisting which I can't wait to finish!

Meghan Rupert, ST -- Innocents Abroad...

Team Sinai welcomes Meghan Rupert, Surgical Technologist from Baltimore's highly acclaimed Shock Trauma Hospital. Meghan is excited about her first international service mission. If she can handle the total trainwrecks that get helicoptered into Shock Trauma, we're sure she'll do just fine at HAH. Thanks, Meghan, for volunteering!

NatGeo, Surgical Tech around the world...

Team Sinai Operation Rainbow welcomes Geovanni Orlando, of Orlando Medical Centre. Giovanni is 25, and is both a paramedic and a surgical tech. He works at the Orange Regional Medical Center on there truama team during the day. By night, he works for Trans Life doing organ transplants.

We first met Geovanni on a Rainbow mission to Ecuador last year. He did a great job there, but is really looking forward to working in Haiti to practice his Creole! In Geovanni's words, "I love what I do and I really enjoy going on these medical trips it has become a true passion of mine . I am very excited about this trip and working with everyone..."

Warren McKay, MD: On the Shoulders of Giants

Three years with Dr John Steinhaus-(Emory Anesthesia Department), two years with Dr Benjamin Covino-(Brigham and Womens Anesthesia Department), and 23 years with Dr Ronald Miller-(University of California at San Francisco) has given me some experience in relieving others’ pain and the meaning of being a solid citizen.

Working with the Haitians and Dominicans in January 2010 helped me understand their tough nature and this has influenced me to return this year. Regional Anesthesia and Pain control have been areas of my interest professionally for some time now. On a more fun side are my outside interests. I enjoy cooking, sampling different cuisines, listening to music, creating metal sculpture, mountain climbing, snowboarding, and any flavor of bicycle riding. And I almost forgot, travelling. Love to travel and meet new cultures and cuisines. I will end by writing hello in advance to all on this trip and may we collectively bring goodwill with us to Port au Prince!

Here is another Warren McKay, professional cyclist from Guyana, and member of Team Trek...

Bradley Whyte, CRNA: The beginning of a beautiful friendship....

Brad got his RN degree at University of Texas in Arlington, and his Master of Nursing (Nurse Anesthetist) at Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth in 1998. Since then he has been working at various hospitals around the country as a Nurse Anesthetist. He has been a long time volunteer in medical mission work, including Ethiopia and the Far East.  Since the earthquake of 2010 he has wanted to volunteer in Haiti, and contacted the Global Health Institute of Loma Linda University. LLU put Brad together with Team Sinai Operation Rainbow, and the rest, as they say....will be history.
During the time of the earthquake, Bradley was in his native Jamaica at his much beloved cousin Colin's funeral. Colin's dream had been to serve in Haiti, and Bradley pledged to the extended family that he would help fulfill Colin's life's intentions, in his honor. According to Bradley, "I am hoping that this will be a more than once a year service for me.  I know I will be taught and taken care of by the people of Haiti more than I will be giving them.  Over 20 years of experience and various medical missions- this has my attention as if its my first year practicing and my first trip abroad."
Brad has gathered supplies and medications to donate to Adventist Hospital. In the words of Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) to Captain Louis Renault (Claude Rains) in Casablanca, "Brad, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship..."  To see the full scene, click on this link:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kiNJcDG4E0

Steve the Mulder-nator

Steve and his harem, first trip to Haiti

Team Sinai is getting ready to ride again...this will be our third mission to Adventist Hospital in Port au Prince since the 2010 earthquake. It has been our tradition to introduce new team members in our blog...

"We've never seen a 6'8" American before!"

Although new to Team Sinai - Operation Rainbow, Dr. Steve Mulder is returning for the sixth time to Hopital Adventiste to provide anesthesia for surgical teams.  The first tour was with his wife, Victoria, and two daughters, Jenny and Madeline.  Steve works in Templeton, CA, at Twin Cities Hospital.  He is a graduate of Loma Linda University Medical School and did his anesthesia residency at LLUMC.  His favorite activity in Haiti is touring the local orphanages, and the Mulder's have established an aid program for orphans. Back home in California, the Gentle Giant enjoys mountain biking, wind surfing, prison ministry, and hiking with Victoria.

Steve is going in barefoot, arriving in stealth mode, and will hook up with the rest of the team at Adventist when we arrive in May. We're looking forward to his leadership as head of our anesthesia team. If HAH gave out frequent flyer points, Steve would have a free trip by now. Boots on the ground!