Thanks Dr. Gross

I wanted to write a quick note to thank Dr. Doug Gross for coming with us to assist Direct Relief's response after Typhoon Yolanda. Doug left us today to head back to Davis, CA to his wife, five children, pediatric medical practice, professorship at UC Davis, and position on the Federal Disaster Medical Assistance Team.

When I first wrote to Doug to ask if he wanted to come with us, he thought I was joking. I don't usually travel with any medical professionals when responding to emergencies, but knowing the size of this tragedy and after spending some time with Doug in Haiti, I knew he would be the perfect person to have on this trip. And it almost didn't happen.

Two nights before we were scheduled to leave, Doug called me and I could tell he was unsure about the trip. Not that he didn't want to go or didn't think he could help, but he is an extremely busy guy (see the second sentence of this note) and had to call in some favors to get everything covered. So we hung up at 10:30pm after deciding he wasn't going to come.

Photo: Jodie Willard

But he called me back just before midnight after spending an hour and a half watching the news and decided he had to come. After seeing so much devastation and so many people injured he decided that it would be worth the sacrifice to come and do what he could to help--even if it was only a small amount.

Well it was worth it. Doug was an amazing resource and provided us with a huge wealth of knowledge on medicines, medical conditions, and how we could best use our resources to help the people here. He was also able to look in on some children in the hospitals we visited (of which there were many) and provide some medical care to the children in these hopsitals.

Photo: Jodie Willard

If for nothing else, I think his trip was worthwhile when I saw the look of relief in one mother's eyes when Doug examined her tiny baby who was in the hospital with dengue and told her that her child was going to be ok. He may not have even noticed it. It happened in just a moment and I'm sure he sees it all the time, but it was clear to me. And I could see the weight lift off her shoulders.

Thank you Doug.