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Neumann Professor Offers Hope for Haiti

	Karen Albaugh, assistant professor of physical therapy, stands with the nurses and head physician “Dr. Steve” at the Infirmary at St. Etienne.
	Albaugh helps an elder at the Foyer St. Etienne in Les Cayes.

Karen Albaugh, assistant professor of physical therapy at Neumann, traveled to Haiti in September 2011 in partnership with the Hope for Haiti organization. Her involvement occurred through a University of Scranton professor, John Sanko who had been taking students to Haiti in partnership with Hope for Haiti for the past few years. “After the earthquake in 2010, John reached out to Scranton graduates to see if a team of licensed physical therapists might be assembled to provide relief work to some of the villages affected by the quake,” said Albaugh.

She offered her physical therapy services, as well as her background in wound care. Six physical therapists and one occupational therapist made up the team. Donations from their respective clinical practices, communities, and the physical therapy students at Neumann fueled the excitement. The trip was postponed twice, once due to Hurricane Tomas and another time due to political unrest. The group was finally able to go in September of 2011.  “We knew it was meant to be this time,” said Albaugh.

The group was in a village about five hours from Port-au-Prince, called Les Cayes, where Hope for Haiti has its in-country office. “The team in Haiti organized our days into visits to orphanages and infirmaries. We worked with Haitian staff and their patients to look at supplies they had, teach them techniques to mobilize patients, and offer educational sessions to the caregivers,” said Albaugh.

Traveling to Chulucanas, Peru, about 15 years ago with the Sisters of St. Mercy left a lasting impression on her. “I knew I wanted to do something like that again at some point,” Albaugh said. “We saw many children in Haiti. Not all were directly affected by the earthquake, but they were affected by poverty and malnutrition. I was able to treat several people who had wounds and work with the staff who would be treating them after I left. “

Albaugh worked with Hope for Haiti’s physicians and nurses to educate them about supplies that were donated but not being used because the Haitian healthcare providers were not familiar with them. Hope for Haiti has three main initiatives, education, health care, and public health with a main focus of sustainability and providing resources to help the people of Haiti help themselves. “Each member of the team adapted and pitched in to do whatever was needed. Hope for Haiti has an amazing staff in place,” said Albaugh.

“My Neumann family was very supportive. The program director for physical therapy, Robert Post, and my dean, Kathy Hoover, strongly encouraged me to follow this endeavor. The faculty development committee approved partial funding for my travel and the Neumann community surrounded me with positive thoughts and well wishes,” she said. Albaugh also mentioned how supportive the Doctor of Physical Therapy students at Neumann were and she was glad to share her experiences with the classes and faculty.

“There is something amazing about the change in perspective and the lessons learned when one goes on a trip like this. I am glad I have some skill set to offer and have been able to help people who truly need and appreciate it. Not a day goes by now that I don’t think about my experiences in Peru or Haiti. Their faces and culture are with me in all that I do. It has changed me in more ways that I can adequately describe,” said Albaugh.

1/12/12

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