About Us
“Whoever saves a life, it is considered as if s/he saved an entire world.”
Primary Care Haiti is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to saving lives by providing evidence-based, practical training to Haitian medical professionals. We partner with hospitals and healthcare centers in rural Haiti and deploy a ‘train the trainer’ model which provides built-in continuity and empowers the Haitian healthcare community to deliver this training. This is why our mission statement is ‘best practices, practical training, partnership. Primary Care Haiti’s main focus is on educating Haitian doctors, nurses, midwives, and other medical providers working in rural towns. Our programs focus on three subjects: cervical cancer screening, emergency response training, and ultrasound. We focus on these programs for three reasons: 1. Training in these subjects will have an immediate impact and save lives. 2. Implementing these programs are sustainable because including these disciplines into medical practice is not resource-intensive. 3. Haitian medical and nursing schools generally do not teach these subjects. With your help, we can continue – and expand – our life-saving work. Each year, Haitian medical students and nursing students travel long distances to learn with us. Their passion and excitement for learning and providing the best quality care ensures that the work we do extends beyond the classroom. Many of the medical professionals who have completed Primary Care Haiti’s training programs are now teaching the next generation and providing quality healthcare relied on by so many. Since our first training in 2016, we have trained hundreds of Haitian healthcare professionals. Primary Care Haiti training programs impact every region of Haiti, as healthcare professionals from around the country come to our trainings and bring lessons learned back home. With your support, we can train more doctors and nurses and provide more necessary medical supplies, reaching even more patients all over Haiti.
Cervical Cancer
Early identification and treatment can prevent cervical cancer, but Haiti’s healthcare system does not have a coordinated cervical cancer screening and Haitian providers are not typically trained in how do conduct these screenings. As a result, cervical cancer is the most common cancer in Haitian women. Primary Care Haiti focuses on preventative primary care in its training programs to combat this problem. We use the guidelines and course materials from the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO/IARC) to provide a comprehensive training in cervical cancer screening. A key part of this training is the WHO’s “see and treat” program: healthcare providers use a mobile Colposcope to detect abnormal cervical cancer cells and immediately treat the patient with a mobile thermocoagulator. At the conclusion of the training, Primary Care Haiti and the hosting medical facility enter into a donation agreement in which, in exchange for the mobile colposcope and thermocoagulator, the medical facility agrees to maintain a cervical cancer screening program. Primary Care Haiti requires biannual medical equipment usage report and quarterly training reports to ensure that the healthcare providers’ and broader community’s needs are met.
Emergency Response Training
Primary Care Haiti’s Emergency Response Training program focuses on the rapid-response skills required in an emergency. The program includes Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Neonatal Resuscitation, triage training, and mass casualty triage and management. Primary Care Haiti volunteer trainers enhance the program by working through scenarios that their students are likely to see in Haiti on a regular basis. Primary Care Haiti donates mannequins so the medical facility may meet our requirement that the trainings continue after our volunteers return home. As in our other programs, Primary Care Haiti requires biannual medical equipment usage report and quarterly training reports to ensure that the healthcare providers’ and broader community’s needs are met.
Ultrasound Course
In rural Haiti, there is practically no availability of advanced imaging such at CAT scans or MRIs. Ultrasound is inexpensive and portable, making it the ideal choice for imaging in many situations. Point of care ultrasound is often the only imaging technique needed to diagnose a multitude of medical conditions. Primary Care Haiti has certified ultrasonographers on its volunteer roster who provide detailed, practical training to Haitian medical professionals, on the following:
Obstetrics: first, second and third trimester
Echocardiography
Abdomen (liver, pancreas, gallbladder, aorta)
Upper and lower extremity venous
Thyroid
Primary Care Haiti and the hosting medical facility enter into a donation agreement in which, in exchange for the ultrasound machine, the medical facility agrees to provide regular trainings and that its providers will use the machine regularly. Primary Care Haiti requires biannual medical equipment usage report and quarterly training reports to ensure that the healthcare providers’ and broader community’s needs are met.
Mental Health Training
We are also expanding our mission to include a vital component of overall health: mental health. When national and international organizations step in to assist in the event of a disaster, usually physical needs are prioritized. PCH volunteers continue to see the impact of the 2010 earthquake on their own patients’ mental health. Mental healthcare must not be relegated to second place in responding to emergencies. In fact, emergencies provide opportunities to build sustainable mental health care systems after the event.
PCH seeks to partner with the University of the State of Haiti’s Mental Health Clinic to pilot a program in Nippes, the southwestern department in Haiti most impacted by the August earthquakes. PCH is following the lead of Haitian organizations that have been on the ground since the earthquakes began - and stepping in to help in accordance with their requests. We are honored that they have asked for our support - and we need your help to follow through for them and for the people of Haiti.
Our Team
Co-Founder
Family Physician
Dr. Jennifer Goldman is a Board Certified Family Physician with over a decade of clinical experience, as well as managerial experience leading a large network of primary care practices. Dr. Goldman has spent her entire career in community medicine and has been a tireless patient advocate. She is passionate about providing equal access to healthcare for all, and has been traveling to Haiti for over a decade volunteering in hospitals around the country. Dr. Goldman’s passion lies in educating doctors and nurses about the importance of prevention and in expanding access to primary care in Haiti.
CO-FOUNDER AND CHIEF STRATEGIST
Emergency Physician
Kissinger Goldman was born and raised in Haiti. He left Haiti after high school and moved to the United States like many of his classmates in search of better opportunities. After years of schooling and stints in New York, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, he ended up in Florida to complete his medical training. Dr Goldman is a board certified Emergency Medicine Physician and a patient experience improvement consultant. Dr Goldman absolutely relishes educating young minds. His wife’s, who is not Haitian, volunteering efforts in Haiti reminded him of the importance to return home and pass on the medical knowledge he has learned during his 21 years in the United States. His personal goal is to help establish an Emergency Medical System in Haiti.
Executive Director
Susan F. Bayles was hired as the first Executive Director of Primary Care Haiti (PCH) in July 2021. From 2018 until her hiring, Susan was the volunteer director of development, ensuring PCH’s training missions were fully funded. As a volunteer, Susan also advised PCH’s founders on operations, administration, communications, and compliance, proving herself capable of taking on the varied responsibilities of an inaugural Executive Director.
Before coming to Primary Care Haiti, Susan worked for the federal government, managing international training programs and advising federal officials on a variety of legal matters. She holds a Juris Doctor and Master of Arts in International Relations from Boston University, and a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs from The George Washington University. She resides in Washington, D.C.
Treasurer
CT Scan Technologist
As a young man growing up in Haiti, I have always envisioned a healthcare system in this country that would be comparable to any in the world. Having migrated to the United States in 1984, that vision never left me. I have always seen Haiti as a place where people can receive great medical care regardless of their ability to pay, medical personals who have received high quality trainings, and hospitals that have the necessary medical equipment to provide optimal care. I have been in the medical field for over 27 years as a CT Scan Technologist and have volunteered with many organisations in Haiti several times. However, when I found out whatPrimary Care Haiti was doing in the country, I felt my vision was coming closer to be a reality. I hope by joining Primary Care Haiti, and by using my knowledge, my expertise, and my passion we can bring healthcare in Haiti a little bit closer to what it can be.
Our Board Members
Haiti has captured a piece of my heart in an inexplicable way. The soul of, not only the Haitian people, but the country, captivates me every time I am fortunate enough to visit. I often think that Haiti, in its vulnerability, is under served. By this I mean, I rarely see initiatives with Haiti and its people at the forefront. This is why I was so eager and enthusiastic about becoming involved with PCH. I have spent multiple years of my life absorbing the beautiful magnificence of Haiti and all it has to offer, yet find myself wanting to offer her something in return. I believe that by helping PCH in any capacity I am able to, I will be not only fulfill goals set by PCH, but give back to the people and country that means so much to me. In these unprecedented times, this partnership will create meaningful change that requires compassion and generosity now more than ever.
Since I was a small child growing up in East Texas my grandfather instilled in me the importance of giving back. He was a very generous man who some said he gave too much. The one statement he made to me that is now a big part of who I am was “If you ain’t givin, you ain’t livin”. When I was asked to go to Haiti to assist with the IT this past January, my apprehension was countered by my grandfather’s life lessons.
My interest in the mission at Hopital Bienfaisance de Pignon, Haiti started with a self-challenge, take my experience and expertise with Information Technology and apply it to an unspecified situation. The day I arrived at the site, my first thought was how to utilize the limited time I had with the magnitude of work needed to be done to support a new infrastructure. The next day, I cleared my head, met with the local team, and focused on one thing at a time. In the end, the experience was life altering for me both spiritually, mentally.
My overall goal with this mission/project is to return and build a complete, secure, accessible internal network. It needs to be easy to use and understand regardless of the skill level of the users. In addition, the installation will be clean, neat, and safe. The final phase of the project will be a safe, secure connection that can be monitored and maintained remotely.
Committed philanthropist, social advocate and humanitarian Germany Kent said it best.
“Let your light shine as an inspiration to humanity and BE THE REASON someone believes in the goodness of people.”
― Germany Kent
Coordinators
Emergency Medicine Course Coordinator
When I heard about Primary Care Haiti, I was ecstatic to find an organization that shared my vision and passion about improving healthcare in Haiti. As a Haitian-American registered nurse with over 2o years nursing experience, a certified Emergency Room nurse, a Certified Critical care nurse, and an ACLS, BLS and PALS instructor, I am compelled to utilize my knowledge skills and expertise to make a difference in our country. With a Master’s degree in nursing education, from Stony Brook University, I have experience in curriculum design and creating continuing education courses for the interdisciplinary team.
As the Emergency Medicine Course Coordinator for Primary Care Haiti, we will work with health care organizations in Haiti, conduct needs assessments and develop individualized courses and protocols for the organization and their resources. We will use evidence-based approach and best practice to enhance the care the Haitian interdisciplinary team deliver. My goal is to equip the team with knowledge and skills to improve access to high quality healthcare, improve the quality of life and survival rates for patients with life threatening conditions. By improve training and skills of the healthcare team, I hope to eliminate global health disparities. When I think about the vision of primary care Haiti, I think of the proverb: If I give you a fish, I feed you for a day but if I teach you to fish, I feed you for a lifetime. By joining primary Care Haiti, I am part of a team dedicated professionals assist in creating and maintaining high quality sustainable healthcare in Haiti that not only this generation will benefit from but will improve the health of future generations. Prior to the earthquake, I was often saddened by the condition of Haiti and wondered how can I make a difference. I am hopeful after joining Primary Care Haiti and remembering the saying “Nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something”For the short term I am assisting Primary Care Haiti by collecting medical supplies to be used in the training sessions with the hospital staff. Additionally, there is a need for PALS/ACLS trainers and I am attempting to recruit and maintain a list of volunteers to travel with the group. Long term I would like to help create the structure for a hospital based community response in the even of natural disasters.
Since I was a small child growing up in East Texas my grandfather instilled in me the importance of giving back. He was a very generous man who some said he gave too much. The one statement he made to me that is now a big part of who I am was “If you ain’t givin, you ain’t livin”. When I was asked to go to Haiti to assist with the IT this past January, my apprehension was countered by my grandfather’s life lessons.
My interest in the mission at Hopital Bienfaisance de Pignon, Haiti started with a self-challenge, take my experience and expertise with Information Technology and apply it to an unspecified situation. The day I arrived at the site, my first thought was how to utilize the limited time I had with the magnitude of work needed to be done to support a new infrastructure. The next day, I cleared my head, met with the local team, and focused on one thing at a time. In the end, the experience was life altering for me both spiritually, mentally.
My overall goal with this mission/project is to return and build a complete, secure, accessible internal network. It needs to be easy to use and understand regardless of the skill level of the users. In addition, the installation will be clean, neat, and safe. The final phase of the project will be a safe, secure connection that can be monitored and maintained remotely.
Committed philanthropist, social advocate and humanitarian Germany Kent said it best.
“Let your light shine as an inspiration to humanity and BE THE REASON someone believes in the goodness of people.”
― Germany Kent
Community Outreach Coordinator
Marika Guyton is a Patient Finance Service Representative (PFSR) for South Broward Community Health Services – Dania Beach. With over 10 years’ experience in community outreach development, and non-profit fundraising she was eager to implement, support and help Primary Care Haiti in any capacity that was needed. Marika has her BS in Business Administration/Marketing and is a Certified Event and Meeting Planner.Proficient in client relationship, customer service, budgets, site selection and vendor management. A trendsetter, creative and innovative works well with all levels of clients, management and staff. For the last five years she has volunteer her time, talent and treasure to Community Enhancement Collaboration Inc., a client choice food pantry in Washington Park, Hollywood, FL they assist over 20,000 community residents through programs collaborations with other local organizations and services.
Ultrasound Training Coordinator
During a conversation with one of my physicians at work, I learned about Primary Care Haiti. I have always wanted to go on a missionary trip and this was the perfect opportunity. She gave me Kissinger’s number and the rest as they say is history. When I went to Haiti in June of 2018, I was humbled by the humility of everyone, from the patient to the medical staff even to the person cleaning the floors of the hospital. I soon realized that I wanted to be a part of this team for a long time to come. God gives us knowledge and He expects us to impart that knowledge so others can learn. I am truly humbled to be called upon to serve in this capacity as a medical sonographer. I hope the knowledge I impart in ultrasound will save many lives to come.
Contact Us
Primary Care Haiti is based in Plantation, Florida. You may contact us by phone, email or regular mail. Contact Us