New Story July 31 2016
Posted on Jul 19, 2016
Riverhead Rotary received word that their nominee (International Surgical Mission Support – New York Team), has been chosen to receive the Donald MacRae Peace Award at the Zone meeting in Winnipeg, Canada this fall. This award recognizes and honors an individual or organization for outstanding achievement consistent with the ideals of Rotary. The ISMS NY team fulfills the Fourth Object of Rotary. Their mission around the world is to advance international understanding, goodwill and peace through service above self.
Raj 
Patel, a well-known Rotarian in District 7255, is a Board Member of ISMS and part of its New York team. Since the year 2000, the medical team has gone to different countries, bringing medical equipment, performing many life changing operations, training the doctors in the advanced technologies and equipment that they have brought, and ultimately, leaving the equipment at the local hospitals. While in-country, they also visit local orphanages to bring bedrolls, various necessities and toys, bringing a little joy into the lives of local children.
Patel, a well-known Rotarian in District 7255, is a Board Member of ISMS and part of its New York team. Since the year 2000, the medical team has gone to different countries, bringing medical equipment, performing many life changing operations, training the doctors in the advanced technologies and equipment that they have brought, and ultimately, leaving the equipment at the local hospitals. While in-country, they also visit local orphanages to bring bedrolls, various necessities and toys, bringing a little joy into the lives of local children.A Riverhead Rotarian visited Myanmar and saw how deplorable their medical care was. He asked Raj if the team could go there. We researched and found that the Rotary Club of Mandalay was just allowed to reopen and we processed a Global Grant with them as a partner. According to Jack Van de Wetering, in the past, they paid for this all out of pocket – including the airfare. The Riverhead Rotary Club wanted to see if they could do this as a community - to send doctors to perform operations that wouldn’t otherwise be available to these people. They raised $150,000.00 that enabled a team of 20 medical personnel to take medical supplies and equipment to perform over 300 operations in a single week.
From everyone at District 7255, we extend our warmest congratulations to the Riverhead Rotary Club, and we commend both the Riverhead Rotary Club and ISMS for truly Serving Humanity!