FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Date: October 29, 2007

 Contact:   Anthony Stahl
                 Director HR/Marketing
                 Howard Memorial Hospital
                 707-456-3101

Willits - Have you ever wanted to apply your skills in an exotic overseas setting where there is extreme poverty and lots of need? Well, soon Howard Memorial hospital staff may have just that opportunity.

During the month of August, Kevin Erich, hospital president, along with two hospital staff traveled to the Central American country of Honduras to participate in an initial needs assessment of a small rural hospital. The four day trip also included site visits to several area orphanages and a small outpatient clinic.

For some time now weve wanted to adopt a hospital overseas where staff may use their skills and knowledge to help another facility and country in extreme poverty, stated Kevin Erich. I believe when we look out and away from our hospital the benefits that come back to our facility and community are huge.

The hospital (HAVA) is a 25 bed rural facility located about 30 minutes from the capital city of Tegucigalpa. HAVA is nestled in a beautiful valley called Valley of the Angels. Near the facility are several orphanages. My heart really went out to these small children abandoned and so lonely, stated Kevin. The trip reminded me how blessed we are here in the US. I trust that soon we can return with a team to assist local villages with their health needs, and provide assistance to the children in the orphanages.

Patsy Broeske commented "For me personally, the Honduras Project is so important, and I was so happy to go on the initial site visit. Professionally, I know the Honduras Project will make us better employees. We must think globally to act locally. We can bring to Honduras our skills and our knowledge, but what we will bring back to HMH is much larger. I think we will be more passionate and appreciative of our little rural hospital, and I am confident that we will treat each other with even more respect and kindness.

 

Photo - Kevin Erich along with children from the orphanage.