Shriners & Rotary Join to Help Children in Need of Orthopedic Care

9/11/24 - Medical clinics by doctors from Shriners Children’s Hospital Hawai’i are again underway. A team of orthopedic doctors and other medical specialists are in American Samoa for follow up visits for patients with bone problems.

RCPP President Moeroa Hardman and Shriner Dr. Jonathan Pellett

On Wednesday night, four of the group attended a dinner hosted by Rotary Club of Pago Pago at Cecelia’s Restaurant. There, Dr. Jonathan Pellett described his passion for the Shriners work.

“Where would the kids go if the Shriners weren’t there? Some could just go to other hospitals. But not all. We are given a mission by our bosses; to make kids better. The kids (need) access to great care, and we provide that great care,” said Pellett.

At the dinner, the Rotary Club presented Shiner’s Children’s Hospital with a donation of $3000. Club President Moeroa Hardman said, “We are so grateful for what this organization is doing for the children of American Samoa. The donation will be used to fund travel for children and parents who need to get to Hawai’i for medical care.”

Dr. Pellett also remarked on the Shriners’ partnership with LBJ hospital. “They’ve been our liaison for forty years. They really support the mission, too, you know. Today we took over the entire orthopedic department. We got high-speed internet. We got computers. We've got tons of nurses helping us. We got public health nurses coming in. We've got early intervention people coming in. They give us free everything. So they, I mean, they get a lot out of it. Their kids get treatment. But LBJ has been just fantastic for many, many years.”

The Shriners clinics are being held this week at LBJ Hospital and again on Monday before the team departs.