Nine Main Line Health (MLH) staff members recently returned from a surgical mission to Haiti, as part of the Blue Sky Surgical Team, a group of health care professionals and logistics staff. The team was originally organized in 2006 by former Bryn Mawr Hospital Chief of Surgery Dr. Tony Coletta, and is dedicated to providing surgical services to an indigent and under-served population in Haiti.

Blue Sky recently provided surgical care to approximately 80 patients at the Double Harvest Clinic near Port-au-Prince during the week of February 1–8. Approximately half of the patients were less than 10 years old, including a number of orphans. General, pediatric and breast surgeons performed these surgeries.

“The importance of the support given by Lankenau Medical Center and Bryn Mawr Hospital for the success of this effort cannot be overstated,” said John Sauter, MD, anesthesiologist, MLH. “Blue Sky's ability to provide care to our patients in Haiti that is equivalent to the care our patients receive at Main Line Health is dependent on the supplies provided by the Main Line Health System. Sharing some of the blessings of good health care with our less fortunate neighbors in Haiti is truly gratifying.”

Medical missions like this one to the third world can only occur when supported by private institutions, charitable organizations, and individuals that generously donate supplies, time and money. Mission participants donated their time and provided their own funding for airfare, meals and lodging. Blue Sky is supported via donations from Lankenau Medical Center, Bryn Mawr Hospital, United Anesthesia Services, Holy Redeemer Hospital, AmeriCares, Medshare and private individuals.

In Photo: The Main Line Health team members who brought important skills vital to the mission included (from left): Barb Tudor, Bryn Mawr nurse; Mike Fleck, Lankenau Biomedical Equipment technician III; Leslie Bunch-Edwards, CRNA, Lankenau and Paoli; John Sauter; Barb Thompson, PACU/Pre-Op coordinator, Bryn Mawr; Cate McKee, OR nurse, Lankenau; Lisa Czyzewski, Nurse Manager, OR, Pre-Op, PACU, Bryn Mawr; and Deb McTamney, CRNA, Lankenau and Riddle. Kneeling is Yvon LeBrun, translator, ORA, Bryn Mawr.

Founded in 1985, Main Line Health is a not-for-profit health system serving portions of Philadelphia and its western suburbs. Main Line Health’s commitment—to deliver advanced medicine to treat and cure disease while also playing an important role in prevention and disease management as well as training physicians and other health care providers—reflects our intent to keep our community and ourselves well ahead. A team of more than 10,000 employees and 2,000 physicians care for patients throughout the Main Line Health system.

At Main Line Health’s core are four of the region’s most respected acute care hospitals—Lankenau Medical Center, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Paoli Hospital and Riddle Hospital—as well as one of the nation’s recognized facilities for rehabilitative medicine, Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital.

The Main Line Health system also includes Mirmont Treatment Center for drug and alcohol recovery; Main Line Health HomeCare & Hospice, which includes skilled home health care, hospice and home infusion services; Main Line Health Centers, primary and specialty care, lab and radiology, and other outpatient services located in Broomall, Collegeville, Concordville, Exton and Newtown Square; Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, a biomedical research organization; and Main Line HealthCare, one of the region’s largest multispecialty physician networks.

Main Line Health is the recipient of numerous awards for quality care and service, including System Magnet® designation, the nation’s highest distinction for nursing excellence, the Mid-Atlantic Alliance for Performance Excellence (MAAPE) Excellence Award, and recognition as among the nation’s best employers by Forbes magazine. Main Line Health is committed to creating an environment of diversity, respect and inclusion and has proudly embraced the American Hospital Association’s #123forEquity Pledge to Act to eliminate disparities in care. We are dedicated to advancing patient-centered care, education and research to help our community stay healthy.