Dèyè Mòn (Beyond the Mountains): Navigating Challenges and Advancing Otorhinolaryngology Care in Haiti

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: This international symposium brings together the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at the Université d'État d'Haïti (HUEH; State University Hospital of Haiti) and the Global OHNS Initiative to shed light on the critical challenges facing otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OHNS) education in Haiti. The discussion will focus on the impact of recent events in Haiti, including heightened political instability after the and the consequential disruptions to economic and social systems, their impact on clinical OHNS care, and the compromised training environment. The panel features three HUEH departmental members, including Dr. Patrick Jean-Gilles (Department Chair), Dr. Stanley Brice (Faculty), and Dr. Angelo Jocelyn (Resident). Given that HUEH is facing social unrest and infrastructure limitations, they will share insights into the obstacles hindering their ability to provide these services. They will provide insight into potential avenues forward, and they will discuss opportunities for international support to bolster their work.

The Global OHNS Initiative will share their work to support the HUEH team, featuring an innovative didactic curriculum designed to augment the training opportunities available to Haitian residents. The presenters will discuss additional opportunities to provide support, including international clinical observerships, potential clinical and research collaborations, and equipment needs, addressing gaps in surgical and clinical experiences. The symposium's aim is to promote long-term solidarity and accompaniment ("to go somewhere with him or her, to break bread together, to be present on a journey with a beginning and an end"). This reflects a commitment to cultivating sustained partnerships and support between the global OHNS community and Haiti's OHNS community, ensuring a lasting impact on the future of care and training in Haiti.