Reverence for Life: Hospital Albert Schweitzer and the People of Haiti

An online symposium
Held Wednesday, May 22, 2002
by the Hispanic Division of the Library of Congress

Cybercast of the Symposium
To view this cybercast

In 1956, Dr. William Larimer Mellon and Mrs. Gwen Grant Mellon opened Hospital Albert Schweitzer in the Artibonite Valley of Haiti. Inspired and personally guided by Dr. Schweitzer and his work in Lambarene, Gabon, they launched a pragmatic enterprise devoted to reverence for life. On May 22, 2002, The Hispanic Division of the Library of Congress held a symposium that focused upon the history of the Hospital since its inception. The purpose of the symposium was twofold. First, it served to identify -- through presentations by speakers directly involved in the process -- critical elements leading to the long-term success of the institution and its emergence as a model for the delivery of medical services in Haiti. Second, the symposium made it possible to record and to preserve for the future an important oral history.

Presented in two sessions: The Morning Session Moderator: Dr. Georgette Dorn Click here to go to The Afternoon Session Moderator: Dr. Joan Higbee [Please note that some of the associated slides and other visuals presented are not available]
Welcoming remarks
Dr. Carolyn Brown Director of Area Studies Dr. Brown's Remarks (7:03)	Dr. Georgette Dorn Chief, Hispanic Division Dr. Dorn's Remarks (3:01)	Dr. Joan Higbee, French Caribbean Specialist, Hispanic Division Dr. Higbee's Remarks (5:10)
Hospital Albert Schweitzer and the Medical Needs of the People of Haiti
Introduction (4:07) -- Dr. Georgette Dorn Hospital Albert Schweitzer and the Medical Needs of the People of Haiti: A Personal Narrative (11:47) --Dr. Ludner Confident		Dr. Ludner Confident
Dr. William Larimer Mellon and Mrs. Gwen Grant Mellon, Founders of the Albert Schweitzer Hospital
Introduction (1:16) -- Dr. Georgette Dorn Dr. William Larimer Mellon and Mrs. Gwen Grant Mellon, Founders of the Albert Schweitzer Hospital of Deschapelles, Haiti (21:30) --Ms. Jenifer Grant		Ms. Jenifer Grant
The Development of Hospital Albert Schweitzer
Introduction (0:34) -- Dr. Georgette Dorn Creating infrastructure that Endures and that Nurtures Human Life: The Development of Hospital Albert Schweitzer (25:22) --Mr. Michael Rawson		Mr. Michael Rawson
The Heart of Haiti
Introduction (1:57) -- Dr. Georgette Dorn The Visual Record Created by an American Physician Who Served at Hospital Albert Schweitzer and Later Returned to Photograph the People of the Artibonite Valley at the Hospital. Her Book of Photographs is Titled The Heart of Haiti (20:00) --Dr. Andrea Baldeck		Dr. Andrea Baldeck
Summary and Commentary
Introduction (0:50) -- Dr. Georgette Dorn Summary and Commentary (12:26) --Mr. Franz Stuppard		Mr. Franz Stuppard
Audience Questions
Questions from the Audience (12:48)

Cosponsored by The Grant Foundation, 1410 Magellan Drive, Suite 101, Sarasota, Florida 34243