Keiba Shaw is an associate professor in the NSU College of Allied Health and Nursing, Hybrid Entry Level Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in Tampa, Florida. Her passion to serve is reflected in her chosen profession as well as in her commitment to help the people of Haiti who were devastated by the massive earthquake in January 2010. She has volunteered her time and physical therapy services since April 2010 first at the field hospital and currently at Bernard Mevs Hospital in Port au Prince. When asked to share why she chose Haiti to volunteer her services, she responded with “Why not Haiti? The people need help, the people want help and in some small measure I can give help”. She wondered whether one person could make a difference and was reminded by someone much wiser that “one little mosquito when caught under the sheet with you can make quite an impact”. It is her wish to equip the Haitian people, from patients to health care providers, in a positive way.
In October 2011, she was fortunate to be given the opportunity to return to Haiti for her fourth trip. It was, once again, a very satisfying (if not exhausting) trip as her NSU peers, students, staff and their families contributed clothes, teddy bears, hand sanitizer and toiletries to be used by those in need. She is happy to say that the country is making good progress in its recovery from the earthquake. It is a slow process and the people of Haiti still require a lot of help but they are beginning to be self sustaining in many important ways.
NSU has graciously allowed her to continue her mission to offer physical therapy services, and for that she is grateful. It is her desire to continue to serve the people of Haiti dedicating her knowledge and supplies to assist them in whatever way she can.
The publicity about the earthquake in Haiti has all but diminished but that does not mean all is well. Please do what you can, in whatever way that you can so the people who need our help the most are not forgotten.
