Hospital Albert Schweitzer Haiti
Encyclopedia
Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti, founded by Larry Mellon
(1910-89) and his wife Gwen Grant Mellon (c. 1908-2000) in 1956, is an integrated rural health system that provides medical care and community health and development programs for 300,000 impoverished people in the Artibonite Valley
of central Haiti
. The hospital is located in Deschapelles
.
Larry Mellon was inspired by the life and philosophy of Albert Schweitzer
to dedicate his life and the Mellon family
fortune to the creation, growth and maintaince of this hospital.
Visiting medical professionals from North America and abroad work with a permanent Haitian staff of almost 900. Financial support comes from partner organizations and private individuals around the world.
On the site of a decommissioned banana plantation, Larry and Gwen Mellon built and staffed a medical complex intended to fit the needs of a neglected rural population. The hospital treats both injuries and tropical disease
s.
Larry Mellon
William Larimer "Larry" Mellon was an American philanthropist and physician.He was born in Pittsburgh June 26, 1910, the son of financier William Larimer Mellon, Sr. and a grandnephew of U.S. Treasury Secretary Andrew W. Mellon...
(1910-89) and his wife Gwen Grant Mellon (c. 1908-2000) in 1956, is an integrated rural health system that provides medical care and community health and development programs for 300,000 impoverished people in the Artibonite Valley
Artibonite Valley
Artibonite Valley is a valley predominantly in Haiti, on the island of Hispaniola. The Artibonite River flows through the valley, with headwaters in the Dominican Republic as well....
of central Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
. The hospital is located in Deschapelles
Deschapelles
This article refers to a town in Haiti. For the French chess master, see Alexandre Deschapelles.Deschapelles is a town in Haiti, in the Artibonite Valley. Deschapelles is where the Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti is located.-External links:*...
.
Larry Mellon was inspired by the life and philosophy of Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer OM was a German theologian, organist, philosopher, physician, and medical missionary. He was born in Kaysersberg in the province of Alsace-Lorraine, at that time part of the German Empire...
to dedicate his life and the Mellon family
Mellon family
The Mellon family is a wealthy and influential family originally of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, and its vicinity. In addition to Mellon Bank they were principally known for their control over Gulf Oil, Alcoa, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and Koppers, as well as their major influence on...
fortune to the creation, growth and maintaince of this hospital.
Visiting medical professionals from North America and abroad work with a permanent Haitian staff of almost 900. Financial support comes from partner organizations and private individuals around the world.
On the site of a decommissioned banana plantation, Larry and Gwen Mellon built and staffed a medical complex intended to fit the needs of a neglected rural population. The hospital treats both injuries and tropical disease
Tropical disease
Tropical diseases are diseases that are prevalent in or unique to tropical and subtropical regions. The diseases are less prevalent in temperate climates, due in part to the occurrence of a cold season, which controls the insect population by forcing hibernation. Insects such as mosquitoes and...
s.