UNICEF 2008 Photo of the year.

The burden of illness wellness after a catastrophic event is all too familiar. There are the aftermaths of 9/11 and hurricanes Katrina and Rita serve as testaments. The lack of health and wellness services extends years beyond the actual event. Jut talk to some veterans and their families.  

Lately, the media has been focusing on the work of my physician colleagues in Haiti. However, as the observant patient knows, it is the professional nurse they see most frequently. Registered Nurses (RN), Nurse Practitioners (NP) and Physician Assistants (PA) are in the field, administering emergency care alone and alongside physician colleagues. There is no “them” or “us”.

The nurses who have not been able to enter  Haiti, should not give up. Their services will be required for years and in some cases a lifetime. I haven’t seen every television news broadcast to know the number of nurses that have been featured on various programs. However, given the history of the media there has probably been few, if any. Katie Couric has set a high standard for the care rendered by nurse practitioners in her health reports. I’m looking forward to her coverage of NPs in Haiti.

When we get past emergent care, and I’m sure we will, then we can start preparing for long-term treatment, rehab, maintenance, wellness and then an optimal health and wellness lifestyle. When we’ve done all we can do, then and only then, can we as a people stand. The burden of proof, optimal health and wellness, is in our hands. Globally.

Where do you stand?