Owasso Doctor Trying To Get To Haiti

By Craig Day, The News On 6

OWASSO, OK -- Aid from all over the U.S. is pouring into Haiti to help the earthquake victims, from kids taking coins to school to shipments of food and water. 

Many more people are willing and able to go to the devastated country to help, including a Green Country doctor. But working out the logistics of getting there to people in need is proving to be a tough task.

Since the earthquake hit Haiti, Dr. Stephen Kovacs' heart is being tugged toward the victims in the devastated country. He wants to go to Haiti to use his skills and training to make a difference.

"Most medical folks who get into this type work do it because they care," said Dr. Stephen Kovacs, an Owasso physician.

Though he's willing and able to spend up to two weeks to help people who are hurting, getting there, where he can do the most good, is proving to be a challenge.

"Tried quite a few resources to see if maybe I could find a way to get down there, but to no avail," said Dr. Stephen Kovacs.

Between seeing patients at the Urgent Care in Owasso, Dr. Kovacs has contacted humanitarian groups, political leaders, and everyone he can think who can help him with the challenging logistics, with no luck, so far. He knows they're overwhelmed right now with relief efforts, but he has an overwhelming desire to help.

"The reporters in the field are literally showing you fields of thousands of people where there is one doctor," said Dr. Stephen Kovacs.

He has made arrangements with coworkers to cover for him so he can go to Haiti, but that window of opportunity is running out. Dr. Kovacs fears time is also running out for the thousands who need medical care. People he could care for, if only he could get there.

"They are crying for physicians and medical staff and personnel, and I know of one that is standing in front of you that is ready to go," said Dr. Stephen Kovacs.

The News On 6 put Dr. Kovacs in touch with the Tulsa-based humanitarian group "In His Image," which worked with the Salvation Army to arrange logistics for its team of doctors that left for Haiti last week, but right now, their teams are full and they can't take any more volunteers.