By Josh Williams
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
A SoHo doctor gathered up donated medical supplies and headed to Haiti on Tuesday to offer his services and provide some much-needed aid to people in the earthquake-torn country.
John Seitz obtained medical supply donations from Lenox Hill Hospital where he works as an anesthesiologist and personally flew them down to Port Au Prince, Haiti.
“Everyone wants to do something, I feel I can do more by being on the ground,” the SoHo resident told DNAinfo before his trip.
Sietz used Facebook and Twitter to reach out to medical supply donors.
"I'm an Anesthesiologist in NYC rolling to Haiti on Tuesday," he posted on Twitter on Sunday. "If your hospital or pharma co could donate antibiotics or narcotics. Contact me."
Seitz squeezed supplies into five hiking backpacks and one giant cardboard box filled with granola bars, adult diapers, IV valves and other supplies.
Like many other volunteers, Seitz experienced several obstacles even before he landed in the devastated Caribbean country.
He said he battled over the phone with American Airlines over extra luggage costs and weight restrictions that have become a pain for most normal travelers.
“Do you realize that by charging extra and limiting the amount of baggage I can bring you are in fact preventing someone in Haiti possible lifesaving medicine and treatment,” Seitz said he pleaded Monday with a representative who eventually gave in.
Seitz, who is staying in Haiti for five days, acknowledged the airline on his Twitter page.
"Haiti update: Big ups to @Americanairlines for letting me check five enormous 50 pound bags of medicine and supplies," he tweeted.
The Manhattan doctor stayed overnight in a tent near the UN compound in Port Au Prince his first night and got a firsthand look at the uphill battle the people of Haiti are facing.
"Day2 in Haiti. Suffering, pain, and powerful emotions," Seitz tweeted. "Screams and moans fill the night air."
The Manhattan doctor is tweeting from Haiti. You can follow him at “johnnynitelife” on Twitter.
