By Dessalines Ferdinand
Operated under the of ‘A HEALTHY HAITI IS A PROSPEROUS HAITI’ motto since 1994, Project Medishare has been empowering Haitians to provide and receive access to quality health care. This organization works with Haitian communities, government institutions, local organizations, and global medical professionals to enhance the quality of life for Haitian families by strengthening local healthcare capacity and infrastructure.
As Project Medishare marks its 25th year of cooperation and accomplishments in the health sector in Haiti this year, board members are raising funds to ensure the non-profit is ready for the next quarter century. They want to make sure they can continue fulfilling their mission of providing quality health care to those in need, knowing that roughly 40% of the Haitian population lacks access to essential health and nutrition services.
Last Saturday (April 27), Dr. Laurinus ‘Larry’ Pierre, MD, MPH Executive Director and CEO Center for Haitian Studies, Health & Human Services, and his wife Dr. Michele Jean-Gilles Pierre, opened up their North Miami residence to welcome guests to support a private fundraiser. As always, the Haitian-American couple did not leave anything out to ensure all patrons left with the best of memories.
It was an invitation-only fundraising event that gathered about 100 people. Board members, friends of the organization and some big supporters, including celebrities such as Haitian-American Pierre Garçon football wide receiver (Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl XLIV Champion), retired Miami Heat player Alonzo Mourning, Nick Arison (Chief Executive Officer Miami HEAT Basketball Operations), Michel Dodard, MD (Director of Medical Education Center for Haitian Studies), Barbara Stiefel (major Democratic donor), and Billionaire Curt Bergfors, the founder of Swedish fast food chain Max, among others were in attendance.
The event brought people together in order to cultivate and thank donors – and to promote the organization’s causes. The atmosphere was pleasant from start to finish as it was held in the outdoor section of the Pierre’s house with beautiful ocean views. Miss Kettely Joseph (Administrator/Accountant) and Dr. Cassandra Theramène (International Business Developer) were at the entrance to help guests feel welcome even before the event started. Patrons chatted quietly amongst themselves while hostesses passed out hors d’oeuvre, mainly some of the best Haitian cuisine aperitifs. The decorations were delightful, including the awesome table setting for this special occasion. As always, an open bar was available serving the finest drinks to the guests.
The gathering was an opportunity to acknowledge those who helped establish the non-profit organization in 1994, and to thank and honor special contributors. The night was also to recognize those who developed, implemented, and currently deliver these amazingly rich services in support of Haitian families with medical needs.
At the opening, Dr. Laurinus ‘Larry’ Pierre took some time to welcome everyone. He acknowledged select attendees before making the case about the importance of the gathering to raise funds for Project Medishare.
He was then followed by Dr. Barth A. Green, MD (President and Co-Founder) who recalled to the audience the contest on how Project Medishare was born when he joined forces with co-founder Dr. Arthur Fournier, professor and chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Miami, when then-ousted president Jean Bertrand Aristide was restored to power in October 1994.
Thanking Dr. Pierre for being a true humanitarian who is so giving, Dr. Green went on to say, “The members are committed to Medishare and, more importantly, to people in Haiti whom we love. A lot of people are very passive when they see the ugliness in the world around us and I really respect people who are trying to bring change in a fully positive way by educating our community here and abroad. Next week in Haiti we are going to train 400 medical students on basic life support.”
“There are a lot of wonderful people here,” Dr. Green added. “Board members, please raise your hands. All of you have really been loyal. Don’t be shy. You need to be recognized.”
Dr. Green also added, “We are about giving an opportunity by building capacity initially in the health care sector. We can help ourselves whether in education, nutrition, agriculture and in so many different areas. The second part is infrastructure. One of our board members, Harold “Junior” Marzouka (Business Owner in Port-au-Prince), has been instrumental in beginning construction of a new trauma center in a critical care hospital. He has been extraordinary in his leadership.”
Dr. Green also spoke about the extraordinary community engagement of retired Miami Heat player Alonzo Mourning, a side he said most people don’t know about him. He reminded the audience how Zo Mourning, a few days after the earthquake, loaded an airplane with tons of items to help the victims in Haiti. “Mourning is a hero here and in Haiti,” the President and Co-Founder said before also acknowledging Haitian-American football wide receiver Pierre Garçon, an extraordinary world class athlete.
“Pierre Garçon doesn’t walk to walk and talk to talk, his people say. He is real, he acts, he came down there to Haiti, he spent time with us, along with his family.”
The president of Project Medishare pointed out that the founder of Swedish fast food chain Max, Curt Bergfors, historically has been the largest donor to Medishare through his foundation the Curt Foundation. “Thousands of people between the Central Plateau and Port-au-Prince have benefited from quality care thanks to the great generosity of Curt. The most important thing about Curt, though, is his soft touch. All you have to do is show him a picture of a child with no food, without a school bag, or a mother who has no place to leave her baby, and Curt says: ‘I will help,’” explained Dr. Green. To show appreciation to his dedicated support to the organization, a bag full of Haitian arts and other presents was given to the Swedish billionaire who lives in Key Biscayne, FL.
To conclude, Dr. Green saluted the leadership of many board members, including Renee Lewis (Executive Director) and Kristin LaHatte (Country Director). Lahatte thanked the audience for their presence and particularly their great support for a wonderful humanitarian cause.
“It’s a big year for us! 25 years of commitment, of achievement, and very hard work. We have done some amazing things, and none of them would have been possible without you guys! Thank you all for coming tonight and for your continued support of Project Medishare,” said Country Director Kristin LaHatte.
Organizations such as Project Medishare provide exceptional support and service to people in need. These organizations rely on the generosity, support, and volunteer efforts of men and women throughout our communities. Project Medishare helps more than 70,000 people who otherwise could not get adequate health care services they need. These fundraising events are a small part of what helps to keep this non-profit organization going and for those who wish to contribute, each day of the year is another wonderful opportunity to do so.
We’re proud of the effort put forth by the co-founders, board members, and hundreds of dedicated professionals and volunteers who make Project Medishare possible.
Dessalines Ferdinand
ferdinand@lefloridien.com
Photo Courtesy Project Medishare