Linkedin Harry Speicher
LinkedIn Harry Speicher has sent you a message.
Date: 9/14/2011
Subject: good to see you girl!!!!!
It has been 11 years and my back is still perfect. Thank you so much for your part in my surgery and recovery. you are the best.
Date: 9/14/2011
Subject: good to see you girl!!!!!
It has been 11 years and my back is still perfect. Thank you so much for your part in my surgery and recovery. you are the best.
Brendan O'Flaherty reports
Harry's Experience
A year 2000 article about one patient's international transfer to New Zealand for healthcare, utilising the NUAZ services. A collaboration pioneered by Polynesian Airlines and a New Zealand health tourism company is reaping benefits for Pacific patients. Brendan O’Flaherty reports.
As Harry Speicher lay flat out on his back, in excruciating pain, in his Pago Pago home, all he could recall was how he was going to get back onto his feet and get down to the local doctor for a painkiller.
The 48-year-old American, originally from Eugene, Oregon, has been living in American Samoa with his wife Victoria for four and a half years, working as the electrical linesman Training Director for ASPA - the American Samoan Power Authority.
That was back in May, says a relieved Harry - you can see him wince as he recounts the drama.
Quite simply Harry had ruptured a lumbar disc in his lower back and required urgent surgery.
"The disc popped out looking like a blown inner tube," says Harry, "and the rupture pinched the sciatic nerve making my right leg useless."
The Lyndon B Johnson Medical Center (LBJ) in Pago Pago, currently utilises the services of NUAZ Ltd. to co-ordinate patient referrals for specialist healthcare in New Zealand, that is not otherwise available on-island.
Thanks to ASPA CEO Abe Malae, Harry found out about the possibility of private health care in New Zealand through NUAZ Ltd, a niche operator in health tourism.
Through Abe’s association with NUAZ founder and CEO Janet Dougherty, the wheels were set in motion for a flight to Auckland, New Zealand via Faleolo Airport in Apia.
"NUAZ provides a 24 hour service. We are able to have a streamlined operation up and running at a moment’s notice," says Janet Dougherty, "and so for Harry Speicher we were able to move straight into action."
NUAZ was formed in October 1993 to assist people who wish to travel to New Zealand for healthcare. Janet says "We tend to deal with more of the non-emergency than emergency patient transfers. That is, patients who require medical and surgical care which is either not available in their home country or where people prefer to travel abroad for private healthcare and recovery. NUAZ acts as a facilitator co-ordinating the Travel, Accommodation, Specialist Consultation, Private Hospital and where appropriate Public Hospital, Interpreter and Cultural support and Recovery Arrangements. Payment for services provided are made by Government Agencies, Private Institutions and Individuals. At all times NUAZ tailors its service to meet the specific needs of its clients. We are proud of our reputation, the standard of care our service providers give and love what we do."
The first step was the thirty minute flight from Pago Pago to Apia in a Polynesian Airlines’ Twin Otter. "My only concern was for Harry’s pain threshold," says Janet, a trained nurse with 19 years experience, including two years nursing in the outback of Papua New Guinea and a further two years with Air Ambulance in NSW Australia.
In a completely mechanised operation, Harry, strapped in a stretcher, was lifted into the 16 seat island-hopper and secured onto a makeshift bed placed over six seats running down the left-hand aisle.
Harry’s wife Victoria takes up the story. "When we got to Apia, Polynesian Airlines was incredible. I was amazed by their efficiency."
In their inimitable manner, the airline staff at Fagali’i Airport took care of the ambulance transfer to Faleolo Airport and the logistics for the four hour flight to Auckland.
"I was just shaking," says Victoria, "while the airline people, airport security and custom officers all treated us incredibly well."
"But the person I’m most grateful to is Janet Dougherty," says Mrs Speicher.
From her Auckland office Ms Dougherty had everything in place from the moment Harry Speicher left Pago Pago until it was time to return.
An ambulance waiting on the tarmac at Auckland International Airport whisked the Speichers to the privately-run Mercy Hospital.
The painkiller Demarol, used before arriving in New Zealand was replaced by morphine, a much stronger analgesic. "For the first time in two and a half weeks there was no pain," remembers Harry.
X-rays and MRI scans confirmed the diagnosis of a ruptured disc. Top surgeon Dr Alastair Hadlow recommended a two-step procedure for Harry. First surgically removing the protruding disc followed by the insertion of a sliver of bone, custom chipped from the hip, and held in place over adjacent discs with a connecting rod and two metal screws.
The day following the operation Harry was up and able to walk unassisted. "I was absolutely amazed," he recalls. "The five days in the Mercy Hospital was like being in a hotel."
Harry’s recovery will take several weeks. "I’ll be swimming a lot in the ocean and will be back at work in six weeks," he says.
Auckland-based Sales Manager Fetu Pama says the Polynesian Airline-NUAZ joint venture works in the best interests of the patients. "We take care of the documentation for New Zealand-bound patients through New Zealand Immigration in Apia, while NUAZ deals with the medical treatment."
Every NUAZ customer gets the best possible personal care and attention says Janet Dougherty. "We offer our clients a door-to-door service that aims to take care of every detail," says the genial executive. "I can empathise with what clients are going through from having nursed patients in-flight and on-road, travelling from one destination to another for healthcare.
Most of NUAZ’s clients brought to New Zealand by Polynesian Airlines are not as widely travelled as Harry Speicher and are naturally apprehensive about going into a culture where they might not feel at home.
For this reason NUAZ works side by side with Samoan-born, Rita Epati. Rita is equally at home in Auckland and Apia. Her extensive background in health administration not only means she can interpret and translate for Samoan clients, but also understand the often-intimidating medical jargon.
The little touches were certainly appreciated by the Speichers. Victoria recalls the day Harry was discharged from hospital. "Rita Epati took us to our motel and we entered to find the most beautiful bunch of flowers."
"My objective is to have clients as comfortable as possible while they’re away from home," says Rita. "I’m really an interface between Samoan and New Zealand cultures." In practical terms this covers transportation to medical appointments, accommodation and food requirements, as well as language difficulties.
The future of Polynesian Airlines involvement with NUAZ's health tourism operation seems assured. "We want to continue our business with NUAZ and do our best for their clients," says Sales Manager Fetu Pama.
For her part, NUAZ boss Janet Dougherty is more than happy with the airlines’ involvement. "Our business couldn’t function without what I call the ‘human touch professionalism’ that Polynesian Airlines provides. Nothing is too much trouble, the Polynesian Airlines personnel go out of their way to assist in our clients travelling to and from New Zealand." "NUAZ,The New Zealand Health Tourism Company, promotes New Zealand as a preferred destination for healthcare and recovery. We provide the best in facilitation and support for our clients and ensure our health providers and support personnel offer the highest standard in care available." Janet Dougherty CEO at NUAZ
On 26th July 2016 NUAZ Limited changed it's business name to bizgrow Limited due to a change in business focus. However NUAZ will and does continue to facilitate care for the occasional patient who choose to travel to NZ for treatment.
A year 2000 article about one patient's international transfer to New Zealand for healthcare, utilising the NUAZ services. A collaboration pioneered by Polynesian Airlines and a New Zealand health tourism company is reaping benefits for Pacific patients. Brendan O’Flaherty reports.
As Harry Speicher lay flat out on his back, in excruciating pain, in his Pago Pago home, all he could recall was how he was going to get back onto his feet and get down to the local doctor for a painkiller.
The 48-year-old American, originally from Eugene, Oregon, has been living in American Samoa with his wife Victoria for four and a half years, working as the electrical linesman Training Director for ASPA - the American Samoan Power Authority.
That was back in May, says a relieved Harry - you can see him wince as he recounts the drama.
Quite simply Harry had ruptured a lumbar disc in his lower back and required urgent surgery.
"The disc popped out looking like a blown inner tube," says Harry, "and the rupture pinched the sciatic nerve making my right leg useless."
The Lyndon B Johnson Medical Center (LBJ) in Pago Pago, currently utilises the services of NUAZ Ltd. to co-ordinate patient referrals for specialist healthcare in New Zealand, that is not otherwise available on-island.
Thanks to ASPA CEO Abe Malae, Harry found out about the possibility of private health care in New Zealand through NUAZ Ltd, a niche operator in health tourism.
Through Abe’s association with NUAZ founder and CEO Janet Dougherty, the wheels were set in motion for a flight to Auckland, New Zealand via Faleolo Airport in Apia.
"NUAZ provides a 24 hour service. We are able to have a streamlined operation up and running at a moment’s notice," says Janet Dougherty, "and so for Harry Speicher we were able to move straight into action."
NUAZ was formed in October 1993 to assist people who wish to travel to New Zealand for healthcare. Janet says "We tend to deal with more of the non-emergency than emergency patient transfers. That is, patients who require medical and surgical care which is either not available in their home country or where people prefer to travel abroad for private healthcare and recovery. NUAZ acts as a facilitator co-ordinating the Travel, Accommodation, Specialist Consultation, Private Hospital and where appropriate Public Hospital, Interpreter and Cultural support and Recovery Arrangements. Payment for services provided are made by Government Agencies, Private Institutions and Individuals. At all times NUAZ tailors its service to meet the specific needs of its clients. We are proud of our reputation, the standard of care our service providers give and love what we do."
The first step was the thirty minute flight from Pago Pago to Apia in a Polynesian Airlines’ Twin Otter. "My only concern was for Harry’s pain threshold," says Janet, a trained nurse with 19 years experience, including two years nursing in the outback of Papua New Guinea and a further two years with Air Ambulance in NSW Australia.
In a completely mechanised operation, Harry, strapped in a stretcher, was lifted into the 16 seat island-hopper and secured onto a makeshift bed placed over six seats running down the left-hand aisle.
Harry’s wife Victoria takes up the story. "When we got to Apia, Polynesian Airlines was incredible. I was amazed by their efficiency."
In their inimitable manner, the airline staff at Fagali’i Airport took care of the ambulance transfer to Faleolo Airport and the logistics for the four hour flight to Auckland.
"I was just shaking," says Victoria, "while the airline people, airport security and custom officers all treated us incredibly well."
"But the person I’m most grateful to is Janet Dougherty," says Mrs Speicher.
From her Auckland office Ms Dougherty had everything in place from the moment Harry Speicher left Pago Pago until it was time to return.
An ambulance waiting on the tarmac at Auckland International Airport whisked the Speichers to the privately-run Mercy Hospital.
The painkiller Demarol, used before arriving in New Zealand was replaced by morphine, a much stronger analgesic. "For the first time in two and a half weeks there was no pain," remembers Harry.
X-rays and MRI scans confirmed the diagnosis of a ruptured disc. Top surgeon Dr Alastair Hadlow recommended a two-step procedure for Harry. First surgically removing the protruding disc followed by the insertion of a sliver of bone, custom chipped from the hip, and held in place over adjacent discs with a connecting rod and two metal screws.
The day following the operation Harry was up and able to walk unassisted. "I was absolutely amazed," he recalls. "The five days in the Mercy Hospital was like being in a hotel."
Harry’s recovery will take several weeks. "I’ll be swimming a lot in the ocean and will be back at work in six weeks," he says.
Auckland-based Sales Manager Fetu Pama says the Polynesian Airline-NUAZ joint venture works in the best interests of the patients. "We take care of the documentation for New Zealand-bound patients through New Zealand Immigration in Apia, while NUAZ deals with the medical treatment."
Every NUAZ customer gets the best possible personal care and attention says Janet Dougherty. "We offer our clients a door-to-door service that aims to take care of every detail," says the genial executive. "I can empathise with what clients are going through from having nursed patients in-flight and on-road, travelling from one destination to another for healthcare.
Most of NUAZ’s clients brought to New Zealand by Polynesian Airlines are not as widely travelled as Harry Speicher and are naturally apprehensive about going into a culture where they might not feel at home.
For this reason NUAZ works side by side with Samoan-born, Rita Epati. Rita is equally at home in Auckland and Apia. Her extensive background in health administration not only means she can interpret and translate for Samoan clients, but also understand the often-intimidating medical jargon.
The little touches were certainly appreciated by the Speichers. Victoria recalls the day Harry was discharged from hospital. "Rita Epati took us to our motel and we entered to find the most beautiful bunch of flowers."
"My objective is to have clients as comfortable as possible while they’re away from home," says Rita. "I’m really an interface between Samoan and New Zealand cultures." In practical terms this covers transportation to medical appointments, accommodation and food requirements, as well as language difficulties.
The future of Polynesian Airlines involvement with NUAZ's health tourism operation seems assured. "We want to continue our business with NUAZ and do our best for their clients," says Sales Manager Fetu Pama.
For her part, NUAZ boss Janet Dougherty is more than happy with the airlines’ involvement. "Our business couldn’t function without what I call the ‘human touch professionalism’ that Polynesian Airlines provides. Nothing is too much trouble, the Polynesian Airlines personnel go out of their way to assist in our clients travelling to and from New Zealand." "NUAZ,The New Zealand Health Tourism Company, promotes New Zealand as a preferred destination for healthcare and recovery. We provide the best in facilitation and support for our clients and ensure our health providers and support personnel offer the highest standard in care available." Janet Dougherty CEO at NUAZ
On 26th July 2016 NUAZ Limited changed it's business name to bizgrow Limited due to a change in business focus. However NUAZ will and does continue to facilitate care for the occasional patient who choose to travel to NZ for treatment.