St. Damien Pediatric Hospital Fund

About the Fund | Programs | Make a Gift to the Fund

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St. Damien Pediatric Hospital is the only hospital wholly dedicated to pediatric and prenatal care in Haiti – a country of 11.5 million people. Without the valiant dedication of the people at St. Damien, several thousand children with treatable illnesses would suffer or die, and thousands of mothers would either perish in childbirth or not receive the necessary prenatal support that leads to bearing healthy children.

The vital need for St. Damien Pediatric Hospital

In 1987, Fr. William Wasson and Fr. Rick Frechette, CP, D.O., witnessed first-hand the staggering number of children in Haiti who were dying from treatable conditions. To address the desperate need to treat chronic and debilitating pediatric illnesses, they co-founded St. Damien Pediatric Hospital in 1989 in Tabarre, Haiti, through Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos/Nos Petit Frères et Soeurs, NPH/NPFS (Spanish and French for “Our Little Brothers and Sisters”)

Shortly after opening St. Damien, Fr. Rick Frechette attended and graduated from medical school. His training and education made it possible for him to more comprehensively serve and heal the people of Haiti. Today, Haiti is lacking medical and social services, and St. Damien fills those acute needs. The hospital has provided thousands upon thousands of critical services to high-risk pregnant women, as well as babies and children suffering from chronic medical conditions.

Beyond medical care, St. Damien also makes a positive impact on the economy and livelihoods of Haitians by employing more than 500 local people, including 300-plus healthcare providers, such as doctors and nurses.

Even as Haiti continues to face extreme challenges, from political assassinations and earthquakes to poverty and unrelenting violence, the entire staff at St. Damien dedicates their lives to providing the most vulnerable children, women, and families with affordable and dignified health care.

St. Damien Pediatric Hospital is supported through private funding and with support from caring people around the world.

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“We must live out the solutions to our many problems by caring more, and not less–and certainly avoiding not caring at all. This choice makes all the difference in the world. It is not about denying the darkness. Let’s agree to care more, not less, and to let Grace enter.”
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~ Father Rick Frechette, CP, D.O.
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The Astounding Impacts of St. Damien

St. Damien gives health and hope to the women and children of Haiti. Each year, on average, the medical team provides:

More than 50,000 services to women and children
Nearly 8,000 pediatric consults
More than 7,000 maternity visits
Nearly 2,000 emergency room visits
More than 1,300 HIV consults
And delivers more than 3,000 babies

St. Damien has 224 beds total in both the pediatric and maternity units. It provides high-quality medical services, including Neonatology and Maternity, Neurology, Oncology, Hematology, Surgery, Malnutrition, Radiology, Dental, and more.

St. Damien’s model of care encourages parent participation through ongoing dialog, on-site opportunities for education, and emotional support.

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“The staff and doctors at St. Damien offer unique services that are not offered anywhere else in Haiti. We act with Christian compassion to provide the highest quality care to children and pregnant women, and we strive to promote equity and justice while reducing poverty.”
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~ Dr. Pascale Yola Gassant Heurtelou ~ Medical Director of St. Damien
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Other Ways You Can Help:

Host or attend a fundraising event
Organize a special collection for St. Damien in your church, school, or foundation
Remember the St. Damien Pediatric Hospital Fund in your Will or Estate Plan
Provide a gift from your Donor Advised Fund
Make a Qualified Charitable Distribution from your IRA
Include the St. Damien Pediatric Hospital Fund in your company’s philanthropic, matching plans
Volunteer your time

To learn more about the St. Damien Pediatric Hospital Fund, please contact Jennifer Rayno at jrayno@nphusa.org.

For more information, visit:

• St. Damien Pediatric Hospital Programs
• Fact Sheet
• Our Impact At a Glance – 2023
• Profile: Fr. Rick Frechette, CP, D.O.
• VIDEO: Visit to NPH Haiti’s St. Damien Pediatric Hospital