For Immediate Release
June 08, 2004

Contact:
Kristy Dillingham
(207) 774-5801
Beryl Wolfe
(207) 883-6083
E-mail: beryl@wolfenews.com
Web Site: http://www.martinspoint.org

Martin’s Point Health Care, along with NorDx Laboratories, Midcoast Hospital and the Maine Eye Center, are donating medical services to care for a 6-year-old orphan boy from Haiti who has come to Maine for eye surgery and treatment for a variety of other medical problems.

Dr. Deborah Patten, M.D., a physician with Martin’s Point Health Care in Brunswick who volunteered in Haiti early in her medical career, is leading the team providing general care for the child.

This is the first year of a program to bring children of Haiti to Maine for donated medical services. The program, called Children’s Medical Missions, is under the auspices of Knightsbridge International. Tracy Peck-Moad, the boy’s American host mother, approached Dr. Patten to provide the care.

“I said yes immediately, since I had lived in Haiti, know the people and have seen firsthand what the medical conditions are like there,” Dr. Patten said. “This has been a rewarding experience to know that we can make a difference in this boy’s life right here in Maine.”

“Martin’s Point is happy to help this young man,” said David Howes, M.D., the president of Martin’s Point and also a physician. “It’s important that we all lend a hand where we can.”

To date, the boy, whose name is Romil Cireus, has received a range of health care services including general exams and testing, immunizations and treatment of specific infections. He continues to be evaluated for other possible medical issues.

“Dr. Jeff Berman of the Maine Eye Center will donate the eye surgery,” said Dr. Patten. “His overall medical status is uncertain as there are no medical records, or historical information, so I am trying to do the necessary testing and procedures in a judicious way. I am delighted to be providing care for such a bright and energetic young boy.”

In 1981, Dr. Patten was the first non-Haitian permitted to work in the general hospital in the capital city of Port-au-Prince.

Established in 1981, Martin’s Point is a not-for-profit health care provider with facilities in Portland, Brunswick and Windham, Maine, and in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and serves patients in the areas of family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, radiology, cardiology, and mammography, as well as other fields.

The Martin’s Point Health Education Center has a variety of related resource materials that includes publications and videos. The center also offers information and classes that focus on a host of other topics, ranging from weight loss and smoking cessation to disease management. For additional information, visit online at www.martinspoint.org.

NOTE: Wolfe News Wire is an online posting service providing news from noteworthy companies and organizations. We do not collect or share information re: visitors to our site. Members of the media and other visitors are invited and encouraged to share these news items by utilizing the "ShareThis" link or email tool above. Click the side logos to view background info and past news items from a specific company or organization. For more info, please contact Wolfe PR at info@wolfenews.com or (520) 207-9581. Thank you!