AMHE NJ Chapter
General Assembly Meeting/2011 New Year Party
January 29, 2011
Location: Solar Manor Do Minho,
Roselle Park, NJ
 January 29 was a harsh winter day dominated by an ominous cloudy sky just days after a major snow storm; but, AMHE-NJ supporters proved to be very determined and showed up in large numbers around 150.
Dr. H. Boucard made the opening remarks and welcomed everyone to the General Assembly Meeting/Happy New Year celebration. Shortly thereafter, the Electoral Committee shared the results of the recent elections for the new Executive Committee. The president, Dr. Margarette O. Saint-Fleur’s then made the inaugural address. She highlighted the many accomplishments of the Association before and after the earthquake, and invited all Haitian doctors to join their efforts.
Individual members of the new committee and advisory board introduced themselves to the audience and highlighted the particular reasons why they had joined and still remain active members of the association.
Dr. R. Altema discussed the rebuilding of AMHE-NJ sponsored school in Haiti and gave the latest updates. He accentuated on the different components of the school and the academic features strategically designed to foster innate talents, nurture interests and stimulate the minds.
The next item for the evening was to share with the public the AMHE efforts in Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake. Dr. Leger presented and emotional account of the first group of AMHE doctors who were in Port-au-Prince days after the seism. He urged others to join in the fight to offer adequate health care to a destitute segment of the population. Mrs. A. Boucard, a nurse practitioner, also shared her recent week-long experience in her town of origin, Gros Mornes during the cholera outbreak. She described the dismal state of a make shift cholera clinic where she worked and corroborated her story with moving pictures. She stressed her resolution to go back and volunteer further and invited the audience to give generously to support AMHE, NJ humanitarian undertakings.
Dr. Y. Ducheine addressed the issue of forming alliances amongst physicians and rallying around cultural and professional commonalities.
Special recognition was given to a few long-time AMHE volunteers such as the photographer, Mr. Nelson, and few sponsoring firms whose officers were are also in attendance.
Dr. Jean-Dennis extended a special invitation to all for the coming June 11 annual multicultural gala which again per her words, will be a ‘great and elegant affair.’
Dr. H. Boucard, performed with his alto saxophone a piece of Kenny G entitled ‘song bird’ to an extremely pleased and enchanted audience. Jocelyne Dorisme and Kerta Georges’ contemporary poetry and folk songs infused a bit of nostalgia with their songs and poem.
DJ Rudy then took over around 9:30PM and with a lively Haitian and International beat, he maintained an animated and crowded dance floor. The party was punctuated with raffle drawings and many interesting prices were won including a large oriental style crystal jar of ‘kremas’, a delicious Haitian coconut alcoholic beverage.
The meeting and festivities ended at 12:00 p.m.
By Judith Gaston
January 31, 2010 |
General Assembly