WITH a facial expression that oozed contentment and satisfaction, Jamaican-American nursing practitioner Novelette Davis said there is no greater feeling than giving back to her country.

“The joy that I get, I think I get more out of it than the patients (we serve) and it just makes me feel good to know that they leave here happy and I don’t have to feel like they are going to drop down tomorrow,” Davis told the

Jamaica Observer Monday as she and other volunteers treated patients in her home town of Brandon Hill, Clarendon, on day one of a four-day medical mission at Eveyln Mission Infant School.

The mission, which was expected to benefit upwards of 1,500 residents over the four days, was the fourth to the community for the LJDR Foundation, which Davis founded.

She said equally rewarding is the show of gratitude from the entire community.

“When we were growing up and when somebody who could afford a brand new dress came and gave me a brand new dress I was excited. But to see the excitement on their faces for medical care, I’m like, we were excited for clothes and they are excited for medical care,” she said.

Davis, who is a cardiothoracic nurse practitioner at St Francis Hospital in New York, said that she and her 12 siblings grew up poor, and experienced the misery of losing four of the clan to unknown medical condition.

“This is for all my siblings who died here in this district. When I became a practitioner I came back and started doing the work. I started this foundation to assist my fellow citizens here because when my siblings died I felt there was a need,” she said.

“They started not feeling well and ended up in May Pen Hospital — my two brothers, and within days they were dead and I didn’t know why and they did the autopsy and I still never found out the reason. So, I came back and started a wellness visit and doing blood-work,” she said, explaining that the name of the foundation is a tribute to her dead siblings in Loretta, Jacqueline, Donald, and Rohan.

Davis said that although her original plan was for a wellness visit, the mission evolved to providing critical and emergency care.

“This morning we had two people that we had to put IV fluids on and there was a person with blood sugar in the 30s and we gave emergency medication,” she said.

Davis, who holds a doctor of nursing degree, said she and her siblings wished that they had the kind assistance she is giving the community now.

“I am passionate about this. I love this parish, I love this district, and this is where I grew up and it’s dear to my heart. My mother is 90 and she is still alive and I am like ,this because of her,” she said.

“So, it’s close to my heart because of what happened to my brothers and sisters and I feel if they had this they would not have died,” she told the

Observer.

The medical mission, which comprises 84 volunteers from St Francis Hospital, provided a range of services, including dental care, heart test, skin care, blood tests, obstetrics/ gynaecology and general medical care.

The team also assisted people who were in need of wheelchairs, walkers, diapers and clothing.

The volunteers also had on hand two automated external defibrillators — a lightweight, portable device that delivers an electric shock through the chest to the heart — and will be leaving one at the school and the other at the Privilege Baptist Church. Davis said staff at the school and members of the church will be trained how to use the machine in case a student or resident passes out and becomes unresponsive.

A total of US$176,000 worth of medication was given out to residents, some receiving supplies for up to three months.

“Nobody will leave here today without getting something, even if it’s a multi-vitamin or a condom,” Davis said Monday.

She, however, expressed concern about the number of patients who had turned up with high blood pressure and were not on medication.

“We are seeing blood pressure 232/130 and it is uncontrollable, and when we do the EKG you can see that their hearts are so big; the heart is working so hard to manage that kind of pressure so all of them (patients) pretty much have cardiomyopathy and it builds up a bigger muscle and makes their heart function less.

“And most of these patients are not on any medication and that’s the sad part. We see a couple of people with strokes, but it’s because of that kind of blood pressure they arewalking around with, blood pressure to the roof, and that needs to be corrected,” she said.

“And, it’s so sad when some of them are telling me that they don’t take the medication because they can’t afford to take it every day,” Davis added.

On Monday, several patients said that they were grateful for the help.

Myrie Benjamin, who wanted a blood pressure and general check-up, said: “We are happy. A nuff people get help and any time dem come here, everybody gather and everybody are welcomed happily and get check-up.”

Sixty-year-old Neville Nembhard, too, was grateful. “I think dem a do a good thing for the community and God’s willing, I will be back next year,” he said.

Meanwhile, a number of the volunteers described their experience as life- changing and inspirational.

“It is awesome being able to give back. I have been back here since the last four years and I love my people here, they are wonderful and are so giving and it makes me want to come back,” said Christine Brooks, an oncology nurse who was born in Jamaica.

First-time volunteer Austin Borden, a patient care associate, said: “I decided to come because I have always thought about volunteerism and being here is life-changing and these are the type of people I want to assist.”

“It is inspirational. It is a privilege to come here and to care for the people in this community,” added Toni Maria Pennisi, a registered nurse and also a first-time volunteer.