November 8, 2008

• Independence Celebration/ Health Fair at The Grange:
  The event was a major success. GREAT thanks to ‘The Grange Chair,’ Lydia, for a well organized, fun event. It was warming to see the smiles on the resident’s faces. Specials thanks to Candice, Rita, and everyone who brought food, drink, decorations, and SPIRIT to the event!!

November 8, 2008

• Art Fair:
  15% of the proceeds went to The Grange (home for the elderly) and CALLS center.

November 9, 2008

• Women’s Health Fair:
  This was an event put on by several Ross groups: PHR, AMSA, Physicians for Choice, and many more. We’re looking forward to an update from the ‘Women’s Health Relations Chair,’ Kelsie, on the success of the event.

July 18, 2008

• RossPHR has donated EC730 to Randy Gilbert to help him get a facial CT Scan and Maxillofacial surgery. Randy Gilbert is a 15 year old Dominican boy who was attacked by older boys for not vacating a basketball court. Randy sustained excessive facial injuries due to this brutal attack. He had managed to raise EC1400 on his own before he approached PHR for helping him cover the expenses of his travels, insurance, as well as the CT.

July 7, 2008

• Coffee Talk Film Viewing: Meth. METH* is a new documentary film, from director Todd Ahlberg, exploring the rising wave of crystal methamphetamine use within the gay population.

June 27, 2008

• Kimberly Fund Update: Unfortunately, Jerryson passed away yesterday struggling against his disease. He was a brave 11 yr old boy but our best efforts to help him weren’t quick enough. We would like to thank everyone who donated or even took a moment to wish Jerryson health and happiness. The 3000EC generated in effort to help Jerryson will be set aside to help another struggling Dominican with their healthcare needs.

April 11, 2008

• Ross PHR donated extra school supplies (pens, pencils, markers, paper, etc.) to help the Portsmouth library continue to serve the local community!

April 11, 2008

• PHR donated excess medical supplies to the Salybia Mission Project.

April, 2008

• A local individual that is on dialysis and in need of a transplant was able to be connected with the Private Sector foundation (organization that we plan to join with in the near future) in which he is in the interviewing stage of the funding process.

April 3, 2008

• Coffee Talk Film Viewing: Southern Comfort. An lively debate followed discussing doctors’ obligation to treat transgendered patients.

March 14, 2008

• Talk: Dr. Richard Heinzl, founder of Doctors Without Borders, Canada

March 8, 2008

• International Women’s Day: PHR Women’s Health participated in the festivities in Roseau, distributing information packets on preventative health care for women and giving away several certificates for free pap Smear exams.

March 7, 2008

• Ross Staff Health Fair: PHR Women’s Health participated in the staff health fair by distributing information packets on preventative health care for women

February 27, 2008

• Coffee Talk Film Viewing: Why we Fight

Spring, 2008

• The Library Tutoring Program volunteers helped students of all ages with projects for school, and helped them improve their reading and arithmetic skills. On a bi-weekly basis, the Library Tutoring Program Coordinators kept in contact with all of the library volunteers. They discussed ways to help local children with their studies and keep them interested in learning.

November 24, 2007

• Students organized and volunteered to provide a Thanksgiving meal and party to the residents of the Grange Home for the Elderly in Portsmouth, Dominica. The residents and staff of the Grange were all extremely grateful and pleased with the turnout.

November 21, 2007

• At PHR’s request, Mary Coleman, Dean of Ross University School of Medicine, along with other Deans and health care professionals signed a letter to President Bush to call for action on global HIV/AIDS. PHR members also signed the online petition to support PHR’s call for action.

November 17, 2007

• In celebration of World Diabetes Day, students screened Dominican residents by taking their blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, waist and hip circumference, and nutritional assessment. After taking histories and gathering the data, students counseled residents on their health and ways to improve their nutrition and exercise levels. They were also educated on diabetes and its many complications.

November 8, 2007

• Coffee Talk Film Viewing: Voices in Exile

October 10, 2007

• Coffee Talk Film Viewing: The Gosts of Abu Ghraib. Afterwards, members signed the US Health Professionals’ Call to Prevent Torture and Abuse of Detainees in US Custody.

October 9, 2007

• PHR sponsored a talk by Dr. Daniel Palazuelos who is currently associated with Harvard Medical School and Brigham & Women’s Hospital. He travelled from Boston to speak to us about his experiences working abroad as a physician for Partners In Health (PIH), a major international health organization.

September 26, 2007

• Ross PHR members protested against the Jena 6 injustices by wearing all black and signing an online petition to bring justice to Jena, Louisiana.

September 25, 2007

• AMSA and PHR co-sponsored a talk given by Ms. Roselyn Paul, who is the Research and Program Development Coordinator at the Ministry of Community Development and Gender affairs in Dominica. She discussed issues affecting women’s health in Dominca.

September 5, 2007

• As part of the Darfur National Week of Action, PHR members participated in a conference call to discuss the political development from PHR’s Representative to the United Nations, Catherine Fitzpatrick.

July and August, 2007

• PHR put on two Coffee Talk Film Viewings, with discussions afterwards: “Gaza Strip” and “Darfur Diaries.” After the “Darfur Diaries” Coffee talk, members sent emails to President Bush to speak out against rape and sexual violence in Darfur.

June, 2007

• The Women’s Health (Dominica) Division of Ross PHR set their sites on a new projest this semester. It involves an all encompassing gathering of information about the status of Women’s health in the Commonwealth of Dominica. This project is currently in the beginning stages, and once sufficient information is gathered, and an expert speaker identified, we plan to put on an educational seminar for all those interested in Women’s Health issues in Dominica!

April, 2007

• Presented a check for $6155.65 to S.A.F.E.R. for sutures at the Panzi clinic in the Congo. Here’s what Faith Delos-Reyes from S.A.F.E.R. had to say after Dafni, an officer, presented them with the check:

It was such a pleasure for Naomi and I to meet you, Dafni. We are very thankful that you were able to represent Ross Medical School and present us with a cheque. Attached is a great photo which captured the wonderful meeting between both organizations, please pass it along to the rest of your colleagues. Naomi will be sending Dafni a CD of photos taken during a recent trip to Panzi Hospital. Thanks again for all your efforts and support. We look forward to our continued partnership.

Kind regards,
Faith Delos-Reyes

March, 2007

• We’re continuing to make progress at the CALLS Center:

“The volunteer tutors from The Ross University School of Medicine continue their classes. They have also increased their tutorial instructors. Five teams tutor in Math, English, and basic one on one self awareness… A big thank you to our tutors, especially Elizabeth, who coordinates the schedule and teams. We are indeed grateful to these very busy persons who find the time within their schedule to assist our adolescents at CALLS. Their efforts have proven invaluable and we reward their labour of love with our prays.”

February, 2007

• $2,000 donation for electrical wiring for the CALLS Center in Portsmouth

  A Thank You from the CALLS Center:

“A Very Special Thank You must be sent out to the Physicians for Human Rights organization from the Ross University School of Medicine. In addition to sending teams of tutors, who assist our trainees each week, they have come to our aid to fund a program at CALLS. We are proud to be able to offer a Practical Electrical Wiring training course to our CALLS trainees, thanks to a donation of $2,000 from PHR. This money will provide the tools and materials necessary for the trainees to learn through hands on experience.

The check was presented at a ceremony held on the 2nd of March, 2007 by Elizabeth Lynn [and Jake Behringer], coordinator[s] of PHR, and received by trainees Kristy Williams and Aranol Sylsvest, along with CALLS Staff Member, Mrs. Andre. The new course will be lead by Mr. Murphy Wallace, who will be donating his time to instruct the trainees. We are extremely grateful to everyone who has made this programme possible. It will truly be a great addition to CALLS and beneficial to the trainees.”

February, 2007

• Conducted a drug presentation for the drug awareness month. After a brief presentation of the common drugs of abuse in Dominica (Cocaine, Alcohol, and Marijuana), role playing games and “Truth vs Myth” games were played to help the children learn about the dangers of drugs in an interactive way.

January, 2007

• Organized a reading contest at the Portsmouth Library. The kids were told to read two books and contestants were given multiple choice questions to determine the winner.

Spring, 2005

• Organized an essay competition at the Portsmouth Library. The kids were divided into four different groups based on age and given an age-appropriate essay topic. During regular Saturday tutoring, volunteers helped the kids come up with ideas for their essays and proofread the rough drafts.