Haiti medical relief: U2 Twin Cities 7-23-11

Monday, July 25, 2011

U2 Twin Cities 7-23-11

I had the privilege of seeing U2 live in concert (for the first time in my life) on Saturday. I have huge respect for U2 and Bono and the whole band. They combine amazing music with a strong commitment to social justice. These guys have been performing for over 30 years. They continue to draw huge crowds. I'm sure the touring schedule gets tiring. But they keep doing it. I really admire people who use their celebrity to responsibly bring attention to issues that affect people who otherwise wouldn't have much of a voice. At the concert last night, Bono highlighted the famine in the horn of Africa, the recent release of Aung San Suu Kyi, a political prisoner in Burma (and the huge number of other political prisoners who have yet to be released), the shooting of Gaby Giffords, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and a number of other issues.

The rain poured down for much of the concert (it was at the University of Minnesota's TCF stadium--no roof) but no one really cared. Very few people left despite the thunderstorms and soaking rain. By the end, I was freezing cold and couldn't really feel my fingers and toes but I didn't really care. The night was absolutely amazing...magical...unforgettable.

Here are a couple videos I took. I'll try to post a few more later.

Intro...band entering the arena

Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

3 comments:

Sharp said...: So glad you finally saw U2! I saw them in Atlanta last year (also my first) and it was the best ever.

Sorry I haven't commented in forever. Keep up the amazing service you're providing, wherever it is. I know it's a blessing to so many.; 5:23 PM
Jen said...: thanks Sharp! I definitely hope to see them again.; 12:08 AM
Sharp said...: Have you seen the 360 Fan Cam from the Minn show? See if you can find yourself:

http://www.u2.com/gigapixelfancam/110723/; 12:32 PM

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what I'm doing

I first traveled to Haiti in 1998. For the next 10 years, I visited Haiti once or twice a year, working with various organizations but mainly with Providence Ministries. I finished pediatric residency in June 2007 and spent 9 months volunteering as a pediatrician in Haiti from Sept 2007 through May 2008, then started fellowship in pediatric emergency medicine. I finished fellowship in mid-2011 then started an attending job. My state-side home is in Minnesota.

While in Haiti in 2007-08, I worked at a medical clinic in La Digue, a small village about 30 miles north of Port au Prince. We saw children with conditions common in the developing world, such as malnutrition, malaria and parasites, as well as conditions common in children all over the world, like respiratory and gastrointestinal infections.

Five days after the earthquake in January 2010 I joined a medical relief team at Heartline Field Hospital in Port au Prince. I initially planned to stay 6 weeks but ended up staying for about 5 months total throughout the year, traveling back and forth multiple times in 2010 while running the field hospital. I have had the privilege of providing medical care for some of the strongest, bravest people I've ever met.

In 2011 and beyond my medical work in Haiti has continued, first by responding to the cholera epidemic, then in other areas as needs have arisen. I continue to work with several different organizations in Haiti including Heartline Ministries. I spent over 4 months in Haiti in 2011 and I'm looking forward to several more months in-country coming up in 2012.