Arkansas Physician Returns to St. Thomas After Irma

Dr. Jeff Audibert, who was stranded on St. Thomas after Hurricane Irma ripped the roof off Schneider Regional Medical Center while he was treating patients, is returning 3 weeks later to help.

De Queen, United States – October 5, 2017 /PressCable/ —

Arkansas physician Dr. Jeff Audibert is returning to the Caribbean this week to provide medical care on St. Thomas, USVI. Audibert, a Rogers resident who has been an Arkansas ER physician for over 34 years and is currently the ER director of De Queen Medical Center, was working in the Emergency Room of Schneider Regional Medical Center in Charlotte Amalie during Hurricane Irma, when the category 5 hurricane ripped the roof off the hospital. He continued treating patients while rainwater leaked in from the ceiling, stabilizing them so they could be evacuated to Puerto Rico and St. Croix.

Audibert was stranded on St. Thomas after Irma devastated the territory on September 6, eventually getting off the Island on a catamaran donated by East Island Excursions of Puerto Rico. Once he landed in San Juan, he was pressed into service to help a pregnant woman in distress who had been evacuated on another boat before making his flight back to the states.

Irma left 5 dead on St. Thomas, and tens of thousands without adequate shelter. The hospital, which has been severely damaged, is currently running the Emergency Room out of MASH-style tents.

Most people would think that after having lived through a category 5 hurricane, and then being stranded on an island without power or fresh water, Dr. Audibert would be content to stay home for a while, but he headed back to St. Thomas on October 5 to help at the hospital.

“People are suffering with post-hurricane physical injuries, PTSD, anxiety, depression, mosquito borne diseases caused by standing water, exacerbation pf existing medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiac and lung conditions related to lack of available medications. Additionally, there are long ER waits, decreased supplies, and reduced staff levels. It only makes sense to do what I can,“ Audibert said.

He is scheduled to return to Arkansas on October 19, barring any further natural disasters.

Contact Info:
Name: Jeff Audibert, MD
Organization: Jeff Audibert, MD
Address: PO Box 89, De Queen, AR 71832, United States
Phone: +1-340-473-1961

Source: PressCable

Release ID: 246496