Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti, founded by Larry Mellon (1910-89) and his wife Gwen Grant Mellon (c. 1908-2000)[1] in 1956, is an integrated rural health system that provides medical care and community health and development programs for 300,000 impoverished people in the Artibonite Valley of central Haiti. The hospital is located in Deschapelles.
Larry Mellon was inspired by the life and philosophy of Albert Schweitzer to dedicate his life and the Mellon family fortune to the creation, growth and maintaince of this hospital.
Visiting medical professionals from North America and abroad work with a permanent Haitian staff of almost 900. Financial support comes from partner organizations and private individuals around the world.
On the site of a decommissioned banana plantation, Larry and Gwen Mellon built and staffed a medical complex intended to fit the needs of a neglected rural population. The hospital treats both injuries and tropical diseases.