President Tom Davis, clearly hitting his stride as the Club’s leader, welcomed all to the Club with the Camp for Kids. We stood for the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a prayer of gratitude by Tom Cochran. We welcomed one visiting Rotarian after Charlie Huffman led us in singing The Happy Birthday Song to the September celebrants. We recognized the following Club anniversaries: Woody Davis (39 years!), Richard Helmuth (17 years), and Neil Barnett (18 years).
Marc Horner gave remarks about A Candle Against the Dark, a play about polio to be presented at Englewood Arts Center in Independence on October 6-8 and 13-15. The proceeds will be donated to the eradication of polio, an objective near and dear to Rotarians worldwide. The Bolte Beer Bash will be held at Peter Ho’s home on October 3. The price of admission is a $20 donation to the Rotary Youth Camp. President Tom reminded us of the Rotary International Foundation Hoopla event at the College Basketball Experience on November 4. Donations for the silent and/or live auction are needed. Other upcoming Club events include the Regatta at Lake Jacomo on September 22-24, Ramblin’ Rotarians trip to Blue Springs on September 27, Project C.U.R.E. community service event the evening of October 19, and a pickleball tournament for Shoes for Orphan Souls on October 22.
Our guest speaker and Club 13 member, Dr. Ted Higgins, was then introduced by President Tom. Ted spoke about the Higgins Brothers Surgicenter for Care in Haiti, a topic on which he has presented to the Club several times. Ted first encountered Haiti, a country of extreme poverty, as a surgical resident at Yale. After moving to Kansas City and beginning his career as a general surgeon, Ted made medical mission trips to the Dominican Republic as a member of Village Presbyterian Church, which borders Haiti, and trained some Dominican surgeons. After the 2010 earthquake which killed an astounding 300,000 Haitians, Ted felt an urge to return to Haiti and help those with surgical needs. Despite the dysfunction and violence prevailing in many areas of Haiti at the present time, the facility which started as a one room operation has continued to expand to now include a clinic and an emergency room and significantly more staff. The surgery center itself has steadily grown to now perform 90 surgeries per month and is currently expanding. The clinic itself sees 1,500 patients per month and now includes two dentists, five medical doctors, and 4 nurses. A cholera epidemic hit Haiti in 2022, and a tent set up strictly to treat cholera cases saw 15/20 patients/day. Due to the widespread poverty, the surgical procedures consisting of hernias, thyroidectomies. cholecystectomies, hysterectomies, bowel resections, and C-sections range from $62 to $208 but more times than not are performed for free.
Since the earthquake, violence in Haiti has progressed and the significant Haitian population centered around the capital, Port-Au-Prince, can’t leave as the roads out are controlled and blocked by gangs. The medical center is located outside of the area controlled by gangs on Lake Azuei, south of Port-Au-Prince, and is not accessible by those living in and around the capital. The center continues to serve and treat the more rural population which otherwise has no access to medical care. The only way supplies, equipment, and building materials can currently get to the center is primarily through a main road from the Dominican Republic. Besides bringing groups of 20 consisting of doctors, nurses, students, and others from the United States four times/year, the center has been successful in recruiting Haitian-based medical doctors, nurses, and other employees and now has 80 employees costing a mere $45,000 per month. A twenty-two unit residence to house workers is currently under construction. The development of the medical center over the years has been amazing and despite the major problems in the country, the center continues to expand and treat more and more patients and conditions.
A fundraiser called Hit for Haiti is taking place on October 7 at the Homestead Country Club. The fundraiser will feature tennis, pickleball, and platform tennis and last all day followed by an evening event. The details can be found on HitforHaiti.com
After the presentation, President Tom read a quote from Jean-Bertran Aristide, “If one suffers we all suffer. Togetherness is strength. Courage” We said the 4-Way Test together and the meeting adjourned.
Please join the Rotary Book Discussion Group for the discussion of the book The Book of Charlie: Wisdom From The Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old Man by David Von Drehle. The book is available at Rainy Day Books and the discussion will be led by Vivien Jennings. All Rotarians and guests are welcome. The group will meet at Rainy Day Books, however, Zoom will be available for those you cannot attend in person.
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