Transforming Haitian Healthcare: The Mission and Impact of Haiti Air Ambulance

Haiti Air Ambulance (HAA), a New York-based 501(c)(3) non-profit established in 2014, is the sole charity helicopter air ambulance service dedicated to Haiti’s 11.4 million residents. Recently, HAA held its inaugural reception in the Hamptons to highlight its critical mission.

Over the past decade, HAA has conducted over 2,000 missions, providing vital triage, treatment, and transportation for patients from remote and underserved areas to hospitals capable of offering specialized care. Notably, more than 40% of their patients are pregnant women and newborns. HAA’s dedication to saving lives and enhancing healthcare access has significantly impacted Haiti’s medical landscape.

The Hamptons event, titled “Saving Lives from the Sky in Haiti,” was hosted at the estate of Ken and Maria Fishel in Bridgehampton, NY. The reception featured an introduction by HAA Founder Pat Dolan and included guest speakers such as Mitch Albom, renowned author, journalist, and founder of the Have Faith Haiti Mission; Eric Cioè-Peña, MD MPH, Founder and Vice President of the Center for Global Health at Northwell Health and the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell; and Dr. Wesner Jacotin, Chief Flight Physician at Haiti Air Ambulance.

Notable attendees included Pat Dolan, Mitch Albom, Eric Cioè-Peña MD MPH, Dr. Wesner Jacotin, Elisa DiStefano, Ken Fishel, Maria Fishel, Jerry Kremer, Suzan Kremer, Alan Harvey, Lisa Walker Brown, Christopher Lockhart, Babak Rezvani, Jerry Della Femina, Judy Licht, Angela LaGreca, Contessa Bernadette Piccolina, Leesa Rowland, Robert Zimmerman, Julia Haart, Dr. Barry Weintraub, Nancy Seidenstein, Liz Hamburg, Joan Hamburg, and NYS Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright.

About Haiti Air Ambulance:

Haiti Air Ambulance (HAA) operates year-round, transporting critically ill or injured patients to emergency medical care providers regardless of their ability to pay. Beyond transportation, HAA’s dedicated team provides in-flight and on-ground triage and treatment. They also coordinate with hospitals to ensure the right care for each patient, including many pregnant women and newborns.

HAA further supports Haitian healthcare by transporting hundreds of doctors to clinics and hospitals, treating thousands of patients nationwide, and distributing essential medical supplies.

In addition, HAA focuses on building long-term healthcare partnerships and infrastructure. Their core mission includes expanding access to healthcare, providing medical supplies and equipment, offering healthcare job training, and delivering community health education.

Haiti Air Ambulance strives to transform Haitian healthcare by creating a sustainable system and promoting self-sufficiency. There is hope in the skies over Haiti.