Published: March 30, 2011
A hospital in earthquake-stricken Haiti will soon have the light and electrical power to provide a higher quality of medical care, thanks to the gift of a generator donated through a partnership between Sparrow Hospital, Michigan State University, Williamston's Explorer Elementary School and GreenStone Farm Credit Services (FCS).
"The need for dependable sources of electricity in Haiti is still great, and nowhere is that need greater than in hospitals," said Dr. Reza Nassiri, director of MSU's Institute of International Health. "This generator will literally save lives."
Sparrow and GreenStone FCS shared the $12,000 cost of the Cummins 150 kilowatt diesel-powered generator helped by a $1,500 donation raised by fourth graders at Explorer Elementary School. MSU added a $2,000 donation to help ship the 1.5 ton generator from Lansing to Justinien Hospital in Cap-Haitien, Haiti.
"We are pleased to have the opportunity to partner with Sparrow, MSU and the Explorer School students in this humanitarian endeavor," said GreenStone FCS CEO Dave Armstrong. "These are great partners and this is an important cause."
Since early 2010, Sparrow Hospital and Michigan State University have coordinated efforts and resources to provide medical assistance to the people of Haiti. Last year, an advance team from Sparrow and MSU formed a relationship with Justinien Hospital to provide continuing aid.
"By coordinating the efforts and resources of MSU and Sparrow, and enlisting community partners, we believe we can better provide much-needed medical assistance to the people of Haiti," said Michael R. Clark, MD, Sparrow's Chief of the Medical Staff.
Haiti was hit by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake on January 12, 2010. The earthquake caused an estimated 300,000 deaths and 100,000 injured, as well as large-scale damage to homes, hospitals, schools and office buildings.
Generating goodwill. Representatives from the coalition that helped make the donation possible gathered at the generator before it is shipped to Haiti. Front row, from left: Explorer School fourth graders Erin Bowling, Alyx Wicks, Matthew Baker, Sean Cobb and Conor Meldrum with teacher Kellie O'Toole. Back row, from left: State of Michigan Regulation Specialist, OFIS J.R.Beauboeuf; Sparrow Vice President of Professional Services, Tom Ostrander; Director of MSU's Institute of International Health Dr. Reza Nassiri; Sparrow Chief of the Medical Staff Michael R. Clark, M.D.; GreenStone FCS CEO Dave Armstrong; GreenStone FCS Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations Jim Nowak; and Sparrow Engineering Director Louie Smith.