An Elmira area resident has been confirmed as one of the casualties of the devastating Haitian earthquake.
Yvonne Martin, who worked for more than 30 years as a nurse at Elmira Medical Clinic, was killed in what is being described as the largest earthquake ever recorded in Haiti. The earthquake took place on Tuesday.
Martin was there as part of a six-member medical missionary team coordinated by Emmanuel Missionary Church of Canada.
Martin was killed in the collapse of a guesthouse shortly after arriving in Port-au-Prince Tuesday as part of a team of seven Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada nurses, the church said in a released statement.?The group of nurse volunteers, all from southern Ontario, went to Haiti to provide medical clinics, said Global Initiatives director Lou Geense.?“It’s pretty hard to grab a hold of,” said Geense. “Not only for our loss but the loss of hundreds and thousands of Haitian people and the people that we work with there.”?All six surviving members of the group, all from southern Ontario, are safe, said Geense.
Dr. Michael Norris said that staff at the medical clinic is still coping with the news, which they received earlier today (Wednesday).
“She was just a dedicated nurse,” said Norris.
“As a person, she wholeheartedly loved and enjoyed people.”
Norris said that Martin was often a fount of information on patients who attended the clinic, helping doctors get a better sense of how to care for their patients.
Yvonne Gingrich, a nurse at the clinic who worked with Martin for 26 years, said she is still shocked at the news.
“We’re just trying to get through the day,” said Gingrich.
While Martin had retired as a nurse a few years previously, she came back this year to help with the H1N1 influenza clinics held at the centre.
“She was a very compassionate, caring person,” said Gingrich.
Martin’s latest trip to Haiti as part of a medical mission team was not the first time she served there.
Ellen Krahn, former coordinator of volunteer teams at World Partners, the mission branch of the Emmanuel Missionary Church of Canada, said that Martin has gone to Haiti at least three times as part of a mission team.
“She was just a really great lady,” said Krahn. “She was very, very kind and compassionate, and had a love for the Haitian people.”
Krahn said that Martin had opportunities to go on other medical mission trips to other countries, but she would decline.
“She wanted to go to Haiti; that’s where her heart was.”
Harold Albrecht, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga, issued a statement Wednesday afternoon, regarding Martin’s death.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the Martin family, and with all of those who have suffered as a result of this tragedy,” said Albrecht.
“Yvonne was in Haiti to help set up mobile clinics. This need still exists. Our government has announced $5 million in immediate humanitarian assistance while the situation is assessed, more will be needed.”
Albrecht encouraged local residents to contribute to relief efforts in Haiti.
Martin attended Waterloo Mennonite Brethren church in Waterloo, but representatives from the church declined to comment.
The church planned on opening its doors for members who would “like to pray or gather in love for Yvonne or Haiti,” according to information on the church’s website. The church will be open until 9 p.m. this evening.
DRAYTON CONNECTION
Former pastor Willard Metzger was also in Haiti in time for Tuesday’s earthquake.
Metzger works for World Vision, and was there as part of a six-member team.
Lois Metzger said that she received an email from her husband at 5:36 p.m. Tuesday, telling her that the hotel was ruined.
Her son, Christopher, received a text message later that evening, indicating that the hotel was looking to provide bread and water for its patrons, but that they would be spending the night on the street.
“I feel that I’m more blessed than some people that haven’t heard anything,” said Metzger. “I’m hoping soon to get a call from him.”