Memorial Hospital of Tampa and Dr. Bernard Perez demonstrate the true meaning of patient care to Carlos Alcanthe
June 30 2010

Carlos Alcanthe; a 37 year old Haitian Professor was flown to Tampa, FL MacDill Airforce Base on February 17, 2010 as a result of the devastating earthquake that hit Port Au Prince Haiti on January 12, 2010. January 12, 2010 around 4:55PM Mr. Alcanthe was traveling on foot leaving LeConte University where he was ending his day. Within a matter of seconds Carlos Alcanthe found himself trapped flat on his back under a house that had collapsed on top of him. He was pulled out of the rubble and laid on the side of what was left of a street over night covered in blood and unable to move. Carlos was transported by foot to his stepmother’s house where he lay in excruciating pain with the condition of a possible broken back without any medical attention for the next 5 days. Transported a second time again by foot to a hospital outside of Port Au Prince; Cange’ Hospital for 15 days. The hospital was a holding place for Carlos because they were not equipped to care for spine related injuries. He was transported yet a third time to a medical camp outside the Port Au Prince airport where international help could begin to assess the extent of his injuries. Carlos who has a wife and two small children had been separated from each other since the onset of the earthquake. It was not until he arrived at the medical camp three weeks after the earthquake that he was reunited with his family.

Memorial Hospital of Tampa became his home in the coming months ahead. Kervans Noel; an employee of Memorial Hospital spoke Haitian and opened up the door of communication for Carlos. Kervans did more than communicate with Carlos, he shared with the hospital staff about Carlos. Many of the Memorial Hospital employees have befriended Carlos. One of the hospital staff members has been providing Carlos complimentary barber services. Several employees have provided Carlos with calling cards so he may contact his wife and children in Haiti. Others have brought in Haitian food and music to help lift his spirits while he has been in the hospital. Through the relationship that has transpired between Kervans and Carlos it was discovered that Carlos could not see without glasses.

Dr. Bernard Perez; Ophthalmologist and owner of International Eye Centers answered the need without hesitation and provided his services at no cost to Carlos.
Several Memorial Hospital employees got together to purchase Carlos clothing and with the generosity of complimentary care from AmeriCare Ambulance Services, Carlos was transported to Dr. Perez’s office.

“We may not be able to give him the ability to walk again, but we can give him the ability to see and re-engage in the world again.” says Dr. Perez. A native of Cuba, Dr. Perez who came to the USA as a small child with his siblings initially without his parents has a heart for reaching out and helping people. Meeting Dr. Perez at his office, I quickly experienced that his practice acts as a ministry to the community. Perez has developed his practice around the philosophy that they care for all people no matter what their economic circumstances may be.

Carlos Alcanthe is still in need of ongoing care and extensive rehabilitation. Recently Carlos was transported to a nursing facility where he will receive more comprehensive rehabilitation services with the hope of someday walking again.