When I stepped off the plane in Haiti in 1989, I felt a shift in my world. The humid air, thick with tropical flowers and diesel fumes, enveloped me. Little did I know that this first trip would begin a decades-long relationship with a country that would profoundly shape my life and career as a healthcare worker.

What drew me to Haiti? I've often asked myself this question. I was already working as a Physician Assistant in Wisconsin and was comfortable in my role. But there was an inexplicable pull, a calling I couldn't ignore. When I heard missionaries speak about Haiti, something resonated deep within me. It was as if a dormant part of my soul had suddenly awakened.

On that first visit, I heard a Creole saying that would prove prophetic: "Once you go there, you'll always fall in love with Haiti." How right they were.

A group of PA students, practicing PAs, and me (center) after the completion of the two-week physical diagnosis class taught to the Haitian physician extender students.

Haiti is a study in contrasts. From the air, you can see the stark line between Haiti and the Dominican Republic - an arid desert on one side and lush tropical rainforest on the other. It's a visual metaphor for the country, a place of breathtaking beauty and unimaginable poverty.

Despite the desolation, I found myself captivated by the resilience and joy of the Haitian people. Some of the poorest individuals I've ever met approached life with pride and happiness, which was humbling. Each time I returned to the United States, I needed to reacclimate, struggling to reconcile the stark differences between these two worlds.

During my first trip, I saw him - my son, James. He was just six months old, standing in his crib in a Port-au-Prince orphanage run by Mother Teresa's order. As I walked into that room filled with cribs, he turned and looked at me with those big eyes of his. At that moment, my life changed forever.

James became my little piece of Haiti, a constant reminder of the country that had stolen my heart. Years later, when he was six, I took him back to Haiti. Watching him blend in, speak his native Creole, and remember the culture was a beautiful full-circle moment—even if he did complain about the heat! James is now an adult living in Wisconsin.

As my involvement in Haiti deepened, I took on more significant roles. In 1999, I was invited to Hôpital Albert Schweitzer to investigate developing a Physician Extender program. This opportunity allowed me to combine my passion for healthcare with my love for Haiti in a way I never imagined possible.

I spent nearly a year living on the hospital compound, developing a curriculum, launching the program, and training the first class. It was challenging work but incredibly rewarding. We trained individuals from various backgrounds - nurses, lawyers, people from all walks of life - to provide advanced care in areas where doctors were scarce.

The program was a success, graduating three classes before political unrest forced its closure. But the impact lived on. Years later, when I visited the graduates working in small clinics around the region, I saw firsthand the incredible care they provided. They were often the sole healthcare providers in these remote areas, making a real difference in people's lives.

PA Cameron Powell demonstrating the cardiac exam – by drawing on me!

Here I am, teaching the fundoscopic exam to a Haitian physician extender student.

PA Cameron Powell supervising an eye exam, communicating via a translator.

The first graduating physician extender students, along with the volunteer PA and PA student instructors.

My time in Haiti wasn't without its dangers. I was robbed twice, including a harrowing holdup on the road. Yet, even in these moments of fear, I witnessed the respect Haitians had for healthcare workers. When our captors learned we were from Albert Schweitzer, they let us go, a testament to the hospital's long-standing positive impact on the country.

However, the political landscape was constantly shifting. I witnessed the aftermath of dictatorships, the rise and fall of various leaders, and the increasing violence that came with each change. The Haiti I first fell in love with was slowly consumed by unrest and danger.

From a medical standpoint, Haiti offered experiences I could never have had in the United States. I became proficient in treating diseases rarely seen in developed countries, like tuberculosis, malaria, and parasitic infections. I saw the devastating effects of malnutrition, particularly in children suffering from kwashiorkor.

One particularly poignant memory is my trip with my friend Paul Frances. We spent nearly two weeks treating malnourished children at the Missionaries of Charity facility in Port-au-Prince. Using  IVs and feeding tubes, we worked tirelessly to save as many as we could. The effects may be reversible depending on when malnourishment happens to a child and when it is treated. It was sometimes heartbreaking work, but in those moments, we knew we were making a real difference.

Haitian child with kwashiorkor

My experiences in Haiti shaped me both personally and professionally. They gave me a new perspective on healthcare, on resilience, and the human spirit. The Physician Extender program, in particular, showed me the power of education and training in creating sustainable change.

I have lost track of exactly how many times I visited Haiti! I made at least 18, and possibly as many as 20, visits. While I can no longer return due to the dangerous political situation spurred by the devastation of the 2010 earthquake and destructive hurricanes, the country remains a part of me. It's as if I lived a different lifetime during my trips there—a lifetime that has informed every aspect of my career since.

Today, I continue to advocate for international outreach in the PA profession. For example, I participated in the International Association of PA Educators in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2015. This organization  helps to infuse the U.S. model of PA education into programs worldwide. My experiences in Haiti opened doors to work in other countries like Belize and Ghana, always intending to improve healthcare delivery in underserved areas.

Reflecting on my career, my time in Haiti is a highlight. It was a privilege to serve, teach, and learn in a place that challenged and inspired me equally. While my active involvement in Haiti has ended, I hope that the next generation of PAs will take up the torch, recognizing the tremendous impact they can have in countries like Haiti.

The Creole saying was right - you fall in love once you go to Haiti. And that love, I've found, lasts a lifetime.

Today, I close by a wishing a heartfelt “Happy PA Week!” to all my fellow PAs around the world! Our career’s week is celebrated from October 6-12, but our work is timeless.