A new life begins for Haitian earthquake survivor...

Eriek Louis was one of three burn survivors from the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti treated in the N.C. Jaycee Burn Center. After five months of care, he was discharged from the Burn Center last Thursday, June 3.

Sporting Carolina blue from head to toe, Louis met with local reporters June 3 to share his appreciation for all that UNC doctors, nurses, therapists, and others have done for him. "I came in a dead man. I am walking out alive," he said.

Eriek was the most severely injured of the four Haitian patients flown to North Carolina. He arrived suffering from burns to his face, head, back, and arms. During his time at the N.C. Jaycee Burn Center, he has undergone six major surgeries; four of which consisted of taking skin from areas of his body to cover his wounds.

"Today is a joyous occasion and the next phase for Eriek Louis and his wife," said Dr. Bruce Cairns, medical director of the N.C. Jaycee Burn Center. "When you have a tragedy that affects the entire world, everyone comes together to try to help. It means the world to us to see them go on with their lives. That's what we're here to do for everyone that comes through our doors."

Read the full story at UNC Health Care's blog at http://www.unchealthcare.wordpress.com/2010/06/03/new-life-begins/.

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• Haiti
• earthquake
• Eriek Louis
• Yvita Louis
• N.C. Jaycee Burn Center
• burn survivor
• University of North Carolina
• UNC Hospitals
• UNC Health Care
• Bruce Cairns
• Grace Schmits
• Sam Jones
• Chapel Hill
• burn