Health Care Award

Peter Brierton, Waukesha	Jon Holcomb, Plymouth
Jeff Javens, Muskego	Brian Sullivan, Colgate

Click for full portrait.

They thought they were prepared for anything. But nothing, they soon discovered, could prepare them for what they saw when their plane touched down in Haiti last March. Veteran paramedics for the North Shore Fire Department, Pete Brierton, Jon Holcomb, Jake Javens and Brian Sullivan traveled to Haiti on a medical mission with Harvest International. The experience, they all agree, changed their lives forever.

The idea to travel to Haiti to administer healthcare began with a conversation between Jake and a colleague, Michelle DeLisle, a paramedic firefighter with the Wauwatosa Fire Department. Michelle, who has led several trips to Haiti, inspired Jake to make the trip. Jake in turn, recruited Pete, Jon and Brian. And before they knew it, the foursome was on a plane to Haiti, having raised $1,500 each to cover expenses.

“There’s no electricity, no running water. And there are malnourished people everywhere,” shares Pete about the conditions they encountered.

The medical team was in Haiti four days, treating roughly 800 people for everything from open wounds to ulcers to AIDS. “We each got a lot more out of this trip than any of the people we treated,” commented Pete on behalf of the others. “The people were so warm and appreciative. We will never forget them.”