Kylee Morgan is a flight paramedic who has come down to Haiti to volunteer with Haiti Air Ambulance. After hearing so many great things about HAA for over a year, she wanted to see what providing critical care in an area with minimal resources was like and was intrigued to experience the lifestyles and ways of thriving in Haiti.

1) Can you introduce yourself with all the possible details?

I’m 28 years old and currently reside in Idaho Falls, Idaho with my wife and 3 dogs. I fly for Classic Air Medical as a Flight Paramedic in which I’ve worked since 2018. When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time in the mountains as well as reading and exploring random hobbies.

2) What can explain the choice you have made for the medical field, the beginning and how do you feel so far being a flight paramedic/nurse?

 I initially went to college for Fire Science after spending my high school years being active in a fire cadet program, so I wanted to be a Firefighter initially. In attending college for that, I obtained my EMT Basic license. After realizing that a lot of fire departments in the States lean towards Paramedics, I enrolled in Paramedic School and graduated in 2015. I worked as a ground Paramedic in South Dakota and Wyoming and then took a Critical Care course through Creighton in which it sparked my interest for critical care medicine. I then applied for a flight job and now I’m where I am today. I thoroughly enjoy the challenge that flying presents and the variety of acuity that we treat. There’s always something to be learned and I enjoy that.

3) Why have you chosen Haiti to volunteer? How did that happen?

I chose to volunteer in Haiti after hearing so many great things about HAA for over a year. I wanted to see what providing critical care in an area with minimal resources was like and was intrigued to experience the lifestyles and ways of thriving in Haiti.

4) Can you tell us more about the experience living during the first-time volunteering with HAA?

My first-time volunteering with HAA was an unforgettable experience. Every aspect was a new experience. I enjoyed being around the Haitian crew members and seeing into their lives and work. The living quarters were comfortable, and the entire crew made Haiti feel safe and welcoming.

5) What have you learned/taught medically while flying with the HAA crew?

Flying with HAA was the first time that I’ve flown alongside a higher level of care such as a Physician and a provider that is an EMT Basic. I enjoyed the dynamic of teamwork that everyone brought to every patient transport. I think the biggest eye opener that I witnessed as far as being taught from HAA was treating people with care and doing the best we can without the weight of politics, finances, and the cons of modern western medicine.

6) Would you want to share a highlight during your flights with HAA?

 A memory that stands in my head from my time volunteering with HAA is flying into Baie D’orange for the first time in the rural parts of Haiti and seeing the aerial view of everything I’d heard about prior. We flew over these shacks with foliage roofs and as we were on final approach a young boy ran out of one of the shacks down the two track road to meet us at the landing zone and the whole time he was waving and smiling and I think seeing the hope on such a little boy’s face made me realize that HAA truly is the only source for help in those areas for people like him and his family and they greet HAA with open arms and so much hope.