EASLEY — The conference room table at Baptist Easley was full of medical supplies Thursday afternoon. This was the result of several unrelated events coming together to lead to an effort to provide some relief to the victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti.

Dr. Bill Wheeler attends First Presbyterian Church of Spartanburg, and has been part of a mission team sponsored by the church that provides free medical services to an area of the Dominican Republic about 30 miles from the Haitian border.

Wheeler had already committed to be a part of Spartanburg Presbyterian’s upcoming trip in February. Joining him for the trip are OR nurse Cindy Crumpton, nurse anesthetist Chris Leonard and surgical technician Heather Trotter.

On Jan. 12, an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Geiger Counter hit Haiti, which shares an island new Cuba with the Dominican Republic. The quake completely demolished the island, with thousands killed and even more homeless. Because Haiti’s airports were also demolished, it was difficult for rescue organizations to reach those in need.

The Employee of Choice team at Baptist Easley meets regularly to discuss ideas such as how to improve the hospital’s care and what role the hospital should play in the community. At the team’s January meeting, all members agreed that the hospital needed to so something for the earthquake victims in Haiti.

With the limited access to the area, the team wondered how it would be able to reach out to the Haitian people. When they found out that Wheeler and three hospital staff members had already committed to the Spartanburg First Presbyterian mission trip, everything fell together.

The Employee of Choice team asked Baptist Easley staff members to make a financial contribution for relief efforts. In just over a day’s time, $1,200 of the team’s $2,000 goal was raised.

“Our partners at Greenville Memorial want to help too, so we’re hoping to raise more than $5,000 before they leave on this trip,” said Andrea Stegall of Baptist Easley.

In addition, Baptist Easley and Greenville Memorial are donating medical supplies for the mission team.

“They usually go (to the Dominican Republic) to perform ordinary surgical procedures that generally are not available on the island,” Stegall said. “With this earthquake, they will probably be dealing with more emergency medicine.”

Baptist Easley CEO Roddey Gettys said it’s not unusual for hospital employees to be involved with charitable organizations.

“It doesn’t surprise me at all,” Getty said. “When you think about it, if you’re a healthcare worker, you are probably a very compassionate person. Most are. Then when you couple that with our mission at Baptist Easley and the Christian heritage of this hospital, it only makes sense you’re going to have some very, very compassionate people on your team.”

While the hospital has had many changes since opening as Easley Baptist Hospital in the late 1950s, the Christian mission has remained, Gettys said. Despite breaking ties with the Southern Baptist Convention many years ago, the word “Baptist” has been a part of the hospital’s identity through several name changes.

“As long as I’m here, our Christian commitment will be a big part of our mission,” Gettys promised.

Gettys said that having people who are willing to give so much of themselves as part of the Baptist Easley makes the hospital a special place to work.

“It is inspiring to me to be a part of a team that gives so much, and care so much about what they do,” Gettys said.

A team of 70 from First Presbyterian in Spartanburg be in the Dominican Republic Jan. 30-Feb. 6. A second team of 70 will be there Feb. 13-Feb. 20.

The church plans to send yet another mission team to the Dominican Republic in July.