Vanek, Fitzgerald, Kurdas, Jackson

Concord, Ohio American Red Cross Hero

Awards of Geauga and Lake Counties

Team Cleveland Haiti Relief -Paul Vanek, MD, Jack Fitzgerald, MD, Jean Kurdas, RN, Theresa Jackson,RN.

Honored today at Quail Hollow for the relief work in Haiti.

Program from event.

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Click here for News Herald Article

Dr. Vanek at LaMalfa

Paul Vanek MD, FACS Keynote Speaker

Today at LaMalfa Banquet Center in Mentor, Ohio the United Way of Lake County honored Dr. Vanek by making him a key note speaker at this event.  There he discussed his philanthropic activities over the years and focused on his most recent experience in Haiti and El Salvador. In Haiti Dr.Vanek operated with surgical teams from all over the world including Sweden and Israel. On the El Salvador trip Dr. Vanek went with local church groups from St. Mary of Mentor and St. John Vianney.  He visited a school while there and worked all day at a medical out post that had not seen a physician in over 2 years.  His daughter Megan accompanied him on this mission and also served as his interpreter. They took donations with them including food, medical equipment and clothing. 

 News Herald Article -

United Way of Lake County 2009:

Stephen Baum, MD at LaMalfa

Stephen A. Baum, M.D. – Board Chair,

 Matthew A. Logies- First Vice Chair,

Matthew Logies First Vice Chair

Tom Fergerson – Leadership

Thomas Ferguson Leadership Development Chair

Chardon, Ohio earlier this afternoon Dr. Vanek spoke to the NDCL high school students about his surgical mission to Haiti. Questions about the conditions on the ground and his stay there providing human aid was being rendered were discussed. 

After meeting with approximately 80 students, facility and administers, students were invited to ask questions abut the Haiti earthquake and relief efforts. Thereafter Dr. Vanek joined a religion class in progress and discussed societal resiliency with the class. His spiritual journey as a result of this experience was also shared with the class.

Lake Health Board of Trustees Meeting Concord, Ohio

Dr. Paul Vanek, Dr. Jack Fitzgerald, Jean Kurdas RN and Theresa Jackson RN were honored last night at Lake Health for their contribution toward the Haiti relief effort. Thanks again Team Cleveland.

Click here for the COSE article link

Dr. Vanek,
This is just a quick note to follow up on your visit to Haiti and the efforts of your team. I can’t tell you how amazed I was with the courage, dedication, selflessness and professionalism you and your staff exhibited in your work to provide critical medical care after the earthquake.

It was truly a pleasure to assist you and your team where we could. I don’t know if you remember us, but we gave you and your team and the 700-800 lbs of equipment you had rides to the Community Hospital (Porte au Prince) and coordinated for what security we could provide for you and your team. The efforts of your team are an experience that I continue to hold up as nothing short of “heroic” and I hope I get a chance to follow up with you back in Miami someday.

I am currently on leave in Miami from 6-17 March, and will be back at SOUTHCOM, off the Haiti rotation, in May. I hope I have the opportunity to thank you and your team in person.

Thanks again, your efforts were truly remarkable.

v/r
Lieutenant Colonel Edward C. Wilson
MINUSTAH Intelligence Officer (U2)

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/01/area_doctors_return_home_from.html