More than 20 doctors and other volunteers from New Hanover Regional Medical Center responded to the catastrophic Jan. 12 Haitian earthquake by going there to render aid.

The group returned to Wilmington Jan. 31, but some may eventually return to provide more assistance to earthquake victims, hospital spokeswoman Erin Balzotti said.

Volunteers who went to Haiti also included nurses, physician assistants and others. The group helped set up a hospital in Caphatien, about 80 miles north of the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince.

The hospital was built by a British mission group, but was without supplies or equipment and had sat empty since its completion.

“They were quite busy and saw a lot of people when they were down there. The focus was mostly to get the hospital set up so they could care for the injured,” Balzotti said.

Dr. Ken White, a Wilmington plastic surgeon and one of the trip organizers, said the group’s goal was to provide supplies and equipment for the hospital.

“Since we have limited time there, we are going to focus on making sure the staff of the hospital is able to treat their injured even after we leave,” he said.

New Hanover Regional Medical Center, along with Columbus Regional Healthcare and Wilmington SurgCare, donated “extensive” supplies for the effort, Balzotti said.

Materials provided for the hospital range from IV solutions and splinting supplies to personal protection items and surgical supplies. New Hanover Regional Medical Center donated nearly $5,000 worth of supplies, Balzotti said.

White said before the trip that the group did not know what to expect when members arrived in Haiti.

Some of the volunteers “are looking to go back in a few months,” Balzotti said.

Volunteers from NHRMC who went to Haiti include White and doctors Bill Sutton, John O’Malley, Ted Winneberger, Peter Kramer, Sara Collins, Bill Buchanan, Scott Visser and Hugh Daniel.

Other volunteers include Bernie Medeiros, Stephanie Kochanski, Janice Corbett, Bob Townsend, Laird Dunlop, Brenda Cox, David Lensch, Jack Phillips, Randy Kirby, Jim Oles, Stephanie Tucker and Joshua Tucker.

Meanwhile, a Haitian boy treated at New Hanover Regional Medical Center’s Cape Fear Hospital continues his recovery in Wilmington.

Carlens Delfils suffered a crushed hand while shielding his sister from a falling cinder block during the earthquake. An operation at the hospital was a success, Balzotti said.

“He is doing very well and is doing physical therapy for his hand three times a week. He is seeing a tutor here in Wilmington and going to school for half-days,” Balzotti said.