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January 27, 2010
General
Five Texas Retina Associates team members, including Research Department Manager Jean Arnwine, were part of a 12-member Highland Park United Methodist Church medical mission trip to the Haiti Eye Clinic in Petit Goave, a village west of Port-au-Prince, when the earthquake hit on January 12. Although some are still recovering from injuries, all members of the mission team have returned home safely with the exception of Jean, an employee of 25 years, who was critically injured. She survived initially but passed away in Guadeloupe during the course of the evacuation back to the United States.
Texas Retina Associates’ Gary Edd Fish, M.D., was also on the mission trip and stayed by Jean’s side, caring for her in the aftermath of the devastation despite suffering a broken sternum himself. “Jean is an angel now, but then she always was,” he said. “The Haitians are a desperate people and now even more so. We are all heartbroken but cannot express enough thanks for everyone who helped us through this ordeal.”
Texas Retina Associates CEO Jeff Brockette echoed Dr. Fish’s feelings. “Our hearts are heavy right now,” he said. “Although we are a large group, we have always been a family. I remain humbled by the selfless work and bravery of this mission team and inspired by how everyone at Texas Retina has come together to support not only Jean’s family, but the families of every single person on this mission trip, even those we don’t work with on a daily basis. We will all forever miss Jean’s kind spirit, contagious laughter and gentle way of caring. She impacted so many lives -- from her family to her co-workers and especially the patients she has served for so many years who have overwhelmed us with their calls, letters and outpouring of support.”
Jean was honored in a memorial service in Dallas on January 20. More than 60 members of her “work family,” including almost all of the Texas Retina physicians she worked with in Dallas and Fort Worth, attended to celebrate her life. Texas Retina’s Rand Spencer, M.D., who first hired Jean in 1983, spoke at the service and shared several fond memories:
“Jean, I miss your distinctive laugh, which I can still hear down the halls at Texas Retina,” he said. “I miss your relaxed, unflappable, steady presence. I miss your indefatigable willingness to tackle new challenges with positive and unwavering determination to succeed. And I miss your trusting nature. Jean, your life has been an inspiration to those of us who were lucky enough to get to spend time with you and call you a friend. Thank you for everything that you taught and gave us by your example.”
Texas Retina is in the process of setting up a fund in Jean’s honor at The Retina Foundation of the Southwest. In addition, the physicians and staff are making personal donations toward the creation of a small garden in Jean’s name at the Dallas Arboretum, one of her favorite places.
Jean (center) and fellow members of the Highland Park United Methodist Church medical mission trip after arriving in Haiti.
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