I. John Mulqueen on Haiti
“Haiti was hemorrhaging and all that we had was a band aid”
Dr. John Mulqueen is an uncommon pediatrician–one with a successful pediatric business and one who travels regularly to Haiti, with his wife Paula and a core of medical and professional volunteers, to provide medical care. When he first traveled to Haiti to conduct a ten day pediatric clinic he was totally unprepared for the level of poverty and need that he found there. “I discovered the sights, sounds and smells of poverty.” On his return home to Gardner, MA he was still in such an emotional state of shock that he thought it would take a few years to recover.
But, the Haitian people were constantly on his mind. After seeing such extreme poverty and lack of basic healthcare he began to wonder how he, a doctor-trained to heal, could close his eyes to such need. The medical infrastructure in Haiti: doctors, medicines, clinics, hospitals, laboratories, X-rays and the like, is almost non-existent. “Haiti was hemorrhaging and all we had was a band aid.” So he became committed to returning there to help but also to finding a more permanent solution to the problems that he encountered.
Dr. Mulqueen founded Forward in Health a nonprofit organization located in Gardner, MA. to bring ongoing help to Haiti and ultimately to build a medical clinic in Fonde Fred, next to Les Cayes, that will eventually bring adult, pediatric and prenatal care to 15,000 people living in that area. The will is there, the volunteers are in place; all that is missing is the financial support. Forward in Health is now in a fundraising campaign phase to raise $350,000 to build the clinic. In fact construction has already begun thanks to several lead benefactors.
II. Dr. John Mulqueen's Credentials
Education
BS Boston College-magna cum laude
University of Massachusetts Medical School
Pediatric Residency-Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME
Practice
Solo Pediatric Practice – Gardner, MA
Professional Certification
- 1989 - present Instructor of Neonatal Resuscitation Fellow American Academy of Pediatrics
- 1989 - present Fellow American Academy of Pediatrics-Board Certified in Pediatrics
- 1989 - present Preceptor-first, second and third-year medical students from UMASS Medical School 1994-2004 Fellow American Academy of pediatrics
- 1994 - 2004 Appointed to Faculty of Department of Pediatrics-University of Massachusetts Medical School
Heywood Hospital, Gardner, MA, Appointments
- 1989 - present Pediatric Staff
- 1995 - 1996 President of Medical Staff
- 1993 - 1994 Vice President of Medical Staff
- 1991 - 1992 Secretary/Treasurer Medical Staff
Awards
University of Massachusetts
Medical School 1997 - Award of Excellence Outstanding Primary Care Educator
Tufts Health Plan 1998 and 2002 - Top 20 Physicians for Tufts Health Plan- Member Satisfaction
Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce 2004 - Community Service Award
ProMutual Group 2005 - Annual Report Feature: “An Extraordinary Policyholder”
Diocese of Worcester and The St. Luke
Society - Recognition for Medical Work Award
Gardner High School 2007 - Hall of Fame-Outstanding Alumnus
Community Service
Current - Founder and president of Forward in Health, a nonprofit organization providing healthcare
2001 to present - Travel and conduct ongoing pediatric clinics in Haiti
Personal
Married to Paula Beer
Children-Christopher and Conor