January 2012: AMHE-NJ General Assembly New Year Celebration             

               On Saturday January 28, 2012 the Association of Haitian Physicians Abroad, Chapter of New Jersey, had their yearly combined General Assembly/New Year celebration.  The event took place at Roselle Park and was also launching ground for the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Association.  Contrarily to the previous year, the weather was particularly favorable and inviting for the guests who filled up the room to near full capacity.
               Dr. Boucard initially welcomed the audience and invited the medical community to join the Association. The President, Dr. O. Saint-Fleur, gave a brief historical perspective of the New Jersey Chapter and outlined the successes and challenges encountered by the Executive Committee under her direction for the last 3 years. She emphasized the significance for more vigorous fundraising, the attraction of more members and the necessity for more corporative efforts from all. Members of the executive committee and Advisory Board were introduced to the audience. They each highlighted their particular functions and the purposes they serve as members.  They repeatedly extended an invitation to the public to join AMHE, NJ to make the Association a more viable tool as it fulfills its humanistic goals.
                A delectable dinner followed. The menu consisted of a wide variety of delicious, Portuguese salads, succulent appetizers, savory seafood, and flavorsome meat served buffet style. During dinner, the members of AMHE, NJ greeted their guests and reconnected with old acquaintances, patients, family and friends.  
               Later, the sponsors discussed their products and made way for other non-profit organizations to identify themselves and inform the audience about the role they play in transforming the Nation of Haiti. They emphasized on their strategies in the fight to educate Haiti’s underprivileged children.
               A folkloric group mesmerized the audience with its electrifying moves. The traditional Haitian dance, drumbeats and garbs captivated everyone and transported the more mature among them to the familiar delights of their yesteryears.
               Further into the evening, Ms E. Hricko, Dr. R. Altema and Dr. B. Lauredan updated the guests on the status of Les Moissonneurs de l’AMHE, a project at the center of AMHE, NJ’s agenda. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in the room in full view of all attendees.  Dr. L. Sangosse then outlined the present state of the School of La Saline and kept the listeners abreast of the latest developments.
               As the evening progressed both Dr. H. Boucard and Dr. P. Leger presented the yearly activities of AMHE-NJ chapter and urge the perusal of the website AMHENJ.org.
               Dr. V. Jean-Denis announced the next significant yearly event which will take place on Saturday June 9, 2012 in Secaucus at the Crowne Plaza: the Multicultural fundraising Gala which has remained the life line for the humanitarian activities of the association. Immediately after, the president’s prizes were awarded to two non-members whose contributions to AMHE, NJ have been considerable. The recipients were Mrs. E. Bontemps and Mrs. R. Borno.
               Drs. O. Jeanlouie and M. Jackson expounded on the membership drive that is on-going and the trip projected for October 7, 2012 to the island of Cuba. All details are being negotiated by Dr. M. Amen and Dr. O. Jeanlouie and will soon be published by the Association.
               The evening ended with the excitement of DJ Rudy’s Caribbean selections which propelled the guests on the dance floor. A raffle that counted as many as 15 winners followed generating great excitement in that the audience.
Congratulations AMHE, NJ for another successful  New Year Celebration.
Congratulation AMHE for 40 years of service to the community!