Articles by Steve Henrichon

Steve Henrichon has been involved with Real Medicine Foundation since May 2007. In the Fall of 2007, Steve spent three months in Pisco, Peru helping to open a free RMF medical clinic in the wake of an 8.0 earthquake. For the past five years, Steve has worked as a headhunter specializing in the recruitment of healthcare professionals but he has aspirations to be a physician. Steve is currently interviewing at various medical schools around the country and expects to matriculate in September 2009.

Peruvians helping Haitians!

February 24, 2010 in General, Peru by Steve Henrichon | Comments closed

Its been a while since I have written on the blog. If you dont know me, my name is Steve Henrichon and I am the RMF Country Director for Peru. Things got a little hectic for me this past year as I started my first year of medical school at UC Davis School of Medicine. Its been a challenge juggling school work and staying involved with RMF and with the clinic in Peru, but now with my first semester behind me, I am finding it easier to balance that which is important to me. Speaking of balancing my life, I am recently engaged and my fiance, Sara, and I are busy planning a September wedding. Sooooo…now when I am not memorizing the adverse side effects of Class 3 antibiotics, or pondering what color flowers to have for the wedding, or sitting on the couch with Sara watching American Idol, I am busy directing the Policlinico Peruano Americano, our RMF clinic in Peru. Feel free to check the RMF website for the latest monthly reports from Peru. By the way, we celebrated the clinic’s 2 year anniversary on December 10, 2009. The clinic staff celebrated the occasion with a Pisco Sour toast (after hours of course).

Here’s a touching story. Towards the end of January, the clinic staff took the initiative to hold a fundraiser to benefit the victims of the Haiti earthquake. They charged 5 Sol for entrance to the event, which is the equivalent of about $1.35. They raised $300. Magali, the Administrative Director at the clinic, asked for us to deduct the $300 from their monthly budget and instead use the money for our operation in Haiti. This gesture brought a tear to my eye. After suffering through an 8.0 earthquake in 2007, the people from Pisco are all too familiar with the horror and despair that comes in the wake of such a disaster. They didnt hesitate when an opportunity arose to open their wallets to help the Haitians. $300 in Peru is a lot of money! Anyways, this gesture is a testament to the empathy and kindness of the Pisquenos. I have to admit, that I have a great feeling of pride for our clinic staff.

Steve

Winter Update at RMF Clinic in Pisco, Peru

July 13, 2009 in Rebuilding Communities by Steve Henrichon | Comments closed

Winter has arrived in Pisco, Peru and the clinic team has been busy in the months of May and June. We have maintained an average of 60 patients per day, with the most common cases being respiratory (46%), parasitic (12%), physical/muscular (10%), digestive (7%), and skin disorders (6%). As the weather gets colder, we anticipate the percentage of respiratory ailments to increase. To treat patients with respiratory conditions, we make use of nebulizers, suction unit, oxygen tanks, as well as prescription pharmaceuticals & inhalers accessible from our in-house pharmacy.

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Policlinico Peruano Americano, Pisco, Peru – Winter 2009 Update

March 10, 2009 in Peru by Steve Henrichon | Comments closed

The Policlínico Peruano Americano
March 7, 2009
By Steve Henrichon

The pace is picking up at the Policl One Way buy

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Peru – POLICLINICO PERUANO AMERICANO

November 29, 2008 in Peru by Steve Henrichon | Comments closed

We originally decided on “Clinica de las Americas.” We dropped that name less than one day later when Rosy heard an advertisement on the radio for another “Clinica de las Americas” in Pisco. What are the chances?

We settled on POLICLINICO PERUANO AMERICANO. We threw the “Americano” in there to appeal to those who may be prefer to visit an American sponsored facility for their care, which seems to be most people. The term Policlinico is actually the most descriptive name for our clinic. We are not considered a “clinica.” Peruvians consider a Clinica to be small hospital complete with several specialties. A policlinico is a small medical center which has a few services, usually referring to the inclusion of a laboratory which we will have in a couple months. In the states, any health center smaller than a hospital, we refer to as a “clinic.” Everything is a clinic. In Peru, there are several specific terms for the different structures…Hospital > Clinica > Policlinico > Centro Medico > Posta.

A Guide for the Married Man dvd

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Peru – Our new partner NGO??

November 24, 2008 in Peru by Steve Henrichon | Comments closed

We were really hoping that the Dominican Sisters would want to partner with us. We thought they would do an outstanding job managing our project once we return to the US. Nina Zully was the sister that was lobbying on our behalf but we had to rely on her to present our case to her superiors. She took a trip to Cusco to meet with her superiors and we waited patiently for her return. When she did return, she did not have good news. They ultimately decided that they did not want to attach their name directly to the project because they feared they would not be able to dedicate the amount of time and resources to really do an effective job. We tried to assure them that the clinic would run itself. Ultimately if they are not eager to take responsibility then we would be shooting ourselves in the foot by convincing them otherwise.

The Big Bounce

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The Policlínico Peruano Americano

October 8, 2008 in Peru by Steve Henrichon | Comments closed

Spring time is approaching in Peru. The patient stream remains steady at about 30 patients per day and in the month of August we were able to enlist 242 new patients from the community. Females patient still outnumber the males, 2 to 1. In the local school of 3600 children which we sponsor, Nurse Maria Elisa was visited by 442 children. Maria Elisa also conducted many health workshops for the students and their parents.

Funny People film Hideaway film The Good Companions full movie Twins trailer

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Peru – Pictures

January 15, 2008 in Peru by Steve Henrichon | 1 comment

Neil’s Party move Kellys Heroes

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Peru – No Earthquake, No Money!

January 15, 2008 in Peru by Steve Henrichon | 1 comment

One of the inevitable truths that I have learned through this whole experience is that it usually takes a horrible disaster before changes are made. In this case, many parts of Pisco were in much need of help even before the earthquake. Yet it took a deadly earthquake to attract the attention of people and organizations looking to help out. Now, schools and health centers are being built…health programs are initiated and the people are being cared for. Many aspects of their social system are being improved better than they ever were even before the earthquake. They would not have received this attraction from the international community if it weren’t for the disaster.

The Bourne Supremacy divx

Peru – Random Thoughts (November – December)

January 15, 2008 in Peru by Steve Henrichon | Comments closed

Scary Missionary

: One day I was working in my room/office and I heard there were some American doctors downstairs eating lunch. I went downstairs and introduced myself to this huge group of Americans who I soon learned were not doctors. Instead they are missionaries from some radical sect of Christianity. I explained to them about the clinic and they were really interested. I chatted with the missionaries for about 30 minutes and then I said my goodbyes and excused myself. One of the missionaries got in my face and challenged me. “Have you accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your lord and savior?” Crap. Are you serious? We were doing so well and you had to open your mouth and blow it. I tried to deflate the situation by suggesting that that was a pretty bold question to be asking someone after just having met them. The interrogation about my faith continued and I was having trouble with my exit strategy. Soooo I just sat there like a dumbass with an unconvincing smile on my face while this dude explains to me why it is foolish for anyone to believe in evolution. He was standing about 2 inches from me and his passion from this one-way conversation was borderline psychotic. The rest of the table just looked at us but I could tell they were a little embarrassed by their brother’s direct manner. I finally cut him off in mid-preach and slapped him on the back and walked away. I have to admit, I was a little creeped out. I don’t really agree with missionaries spreading the word of God in 3rd world countries in general but I am still respectful to most. Every now and again, I meet a missionary who I just want to lock in a small cell and throw away the key.

Sara Helen:

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Peru – My Apologies

January 15, 2008 in Peru by Steve Henrichon | Comments closed

I Can’t Think Straight divx

My apologies. The last time I wrote in the blog was on November 9^th. At that time, we were just about to open our temporary clinic at of the catholic parish hall. I had written my blog from my beach side hostel. It is now January 9^th…two months later. A lot has happened. I know quite a few people have been following the blog and checking it on a regular basis. If that is the case, you have probably been disappointed when the blog stopped on November 9^th right in the thick of things.