Southwest Ranches resident helps treat earthquake victims in Haiti
Sun Sentinel Community, March 7, 2010
When Dr. Kenneth Jeffers saw the devastation caused by the earthquake in Haiti, he knew he had to do something.
The Southwest Ranches resident and pediatric orthopedic surgeon at West Boca Medical Center contacted a church group in Coconut Creek that Saturday and was on a plane with other volunteers the next day.
It was the first of two trips Jeffers made since the 7.0-magnitude quake. He found things to be much worse than he imagined, especially when the contingent headed west in the outside communities and tent cities of Port-au-Prince.
“Many had not even seen a physician by the time we got there, five days after the earthquake hit,” he said. “The conditions of some of the wounds were already in advance stages of necrosis and infection.”
With a weight limit placed on international missionary flights, Jeffers was only allowed to take so many supplies donated from his hospital. Treating patients tested his ingenuity and ability to jerry-rig things such as traction apparatuses.
Smooth pins, rocks and string were used to stabilize long bone injuries with the hopes he could get them somewhere with advanced types of treatment.
“The children that I came in contact with were surprisingly resilient … and followed instructions with hand signals,” he said.
Patients often were treated without any general anesthesia or medication to numb the pain. Bone screws and other procedures were done many times with the patient wide awake. Jeffers was struck by how patients responded to such adverse conditions.
“If anything, they were among the best patients I have taken care of in my entire career,” he said.
Because of rampant malnutrition and poor living conditions in Haiti, Jeffers said long-term assistance will be needed. He said his visits have led to a strong connection and bond with the Haitian people.
“It’s made me proud of the resilience of the human spirit and … impressed by the Haitian people who were able to maintain strength and grace in the face of such devastation,” he said.
Donations are being accepted through a number of organizations. Two are http://www.helphaitinow.org and http://www.haitirelieffund.org.
Scott Fishman can be reached at smfishman@tribune.com.
Doctor Helps Earthquake Victims In Haiti
WPBF West Palm Beach, www.wpbf.com, February 10, 2010
A local doctor is back home after helping earthquake victims in Haiti. Kenneth Jeffers, who’s with West Boca Medical Center, was in the impoverished country for two weeks. He started working as soon as he got off the plane. He did verything from mending wounds to major surgery. He told WPBF 25 News’ Angela Rozier the trip left an impression.
“It’s difficult to describe at this point and time. I don’t know that I’ve completely come to grips with everything,” said Jeffers.
This was Jeffers’s second trip to Haiti. He made his first trip five days after the earthquake hit. He hopes to make a third trip.
Local community organizations are continuing to collect money and supplies for the Haiti earthquake victims.
An interfaith service will be held on Feb. 18, 2010, at Atlantic Community High School in Delray Beach.
Copyright 2010 by WPBF.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Sports Safety for Children
By: Kenneth Jeffers, MD
Children + sports = a winning combination. Regular exercise provided through sports can help children develop strong bones, control weight, decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, improve sleep, be academically motivated and build self-confidence.
Playing sports also can be fun, but it does have a downside. Approximately 2 million children under the age of 15 are treated in emergency departments annually for sports-related injuries. That’s why it’s so important for parents to take an active role in sports safety for their children.
Some of the most common sports-related injuries are sprains and strains. Children also can experience growth plate and repetitive motion injuries, as well as heat-related illnesses. Injuries can be either traumatic, such as a broken bone caused by a single application of force, or chronic, which result from repetitive training over a period of time. Injuries can occur for a number of reasons, including accidents, improper training or lack of appropriate gear.
Age-appropriate Sports
Unstructured free play that helps toddlers and preschoolers develop important motor skills is best, such as tumbling, running, climbing, kicking, dancing, playing catch or riding a tricycle. Organized sports generally are not recommended for children under the age of 5. As their coordination and attention spans improve, children ages 6 to 7 can begin participating in organized sports, such as soccer, swimming, tennis, gymnastics, golf, martial arts or T-ball. Most sports are appropriate for children by age 8, including contact sports. Parents may want their children to try various sports before choosing one or two.
Some sports injuries are inevitable, but parents can take steps to minimize risk while encouraging their
- Children to participate in regular physical activity.
- Children should have a physical examination before beginning an exercise program or training.
- Gradually increase the time and intensity of workouts to avoid overuse injuries.
- Choose activities appropriate for the child’s developmental level.
- Teach children how to follow the rules of the game.
- Provide the necessary gear that protects, fits properly and is appropriate for the sport.
- Make sure every exercise routine has a warm-up and cool-down period.
- Provide plenty of water or sports drink while playing to ensure proper hydration.
- Use sunscreen to reduce the risk of skin cancer that can occur later in life.
- Do not allow children to play when they are very tired or in pain.
If an injury does occur, seek professional medical treatment if necessary. Make sure the injury heals completely before playing again. Start playing slowly and protect the injured area with a brace or special equipment.
From neighborhood soccer teams to high school football teams, more than 30 million children participate in organized sports in the United States. Even more are involved in recreational activities, such as biking or hiking. Parents should help their children select sports that match their personalities and fitness levels so they will want to practice more and improve their abilities. This physical competence can, in turn, help build both confidence and self-esteem.
For more information about childhood sports injuries, talk with your doctor or call 1-866-904-WBMC for a free referral to a physician near you.
Kenneth Jeffers, MD, is a pediatric orthopedic surgeon on staff at West Boca Medical Center. For additional information on Kenneth Jeffers, MD, call 561.394.8443.
Anwar Mohiuddin Vardag, M.D.,
MBBS, FAAP, FCCP, FRCPCH, FRCPG, FRCPI, DC
South Florida Hospital News, March 2010
Anwar Vardag, M.D., is a Board Certified Pediatric Intensivist and Medical Director of Pediatric Critical Care at West Boca Medical Center. He is on call 24/7 for pediatric emergencies at West Boca Medical center and pediatric trauma at Delray Medical Center. He completed his internship in internal medicine at Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Center and his residency in general surgery at Civil Hospital, located in Pakistan. He completed a residency in internal medicine, coronary care and intensive care at St. Luke’s and Sir Paul Boffa Hospital. He then completed a residency in pediatrics and a fellowship in neonatal intensive care and pediatric critical care medicine. Dr. Vardag is a Diplomat from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons and a Diplomat of the American Board of Pediatrics and Pediatric Critical Care Medicine. He is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and Scotland, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Chest Physicians and the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health in London. Dr. Vardag is a Board Member for the Mathew Forbes-Romer Foundation, a member of People to People Ambassador Program and has traveled to China and Cuba on medical missions.