History of TOP

In the summer of 1990 the seed for the Trelawny Outreach Project (TOP) was planted by Flying Physicians Association (FPA) president Tony Urbanek, MD. Tony had approached Ramon Pabalan, MD, Chairman of the FPA Samaritan Committee to consider developing a medical project in conjunction with the Jamaican Government. Tony had visited Jamaica and had had a positive meeting with the Ministry of Health earlier that year. By chance, the subject came up at a meeting attended by Paul Haight, D.O., flying physician, who liked the idea and offered to try to link the project with the Rotary Club of Spring Lake, MI, of which he was the current president. His Club was, coincidentally, looking for an International Project of a Samaritan nature to support financially.

Drs' Pabalan and Haight made a trip in June 1990 to finalize the arrangements with the Jamaican Government, to pick a site, and to develop a formal connection with Rotary in Jamaica. Things went well and the city of Falmouth, in the parish of Trelawny was adopted. It met all of the criteria:

1) It was a terribly medically underserved area with a population of approximately 75,000 and 80% of the people dependent on the Government services of 3 physicians,

2) It was only 30 miles from a major airport in Montego Bay,

3) It was English speaking,

4) It was in a pleasant environment for the volunteers, and

5) It was international, a Rotary requirement, yet within reach for flying physicians and private aircraft.

After a needs assessment, it was decided to attempt to support the medical clinic (already operating with a doctor and nursing staff) by sending volunteer primary care physicians for 2 or more weeks of service, and attempting to maintain volunteer support year round. It was also determined that the facility would need considerable support in the way of equipment, supplies and medications as well. International Aid, Inc. of Spring Lake, MI, (IA) a philanthropic organization that functions to support missionary and Samaritan work around the world, was asked to become a partner in the project to assist in providing the needed support that neither the FPA nor Rotary could provide. This completed the team behind the project.

In keeping with our mission, the project has continued to grow. Financial support has averaged well over $20,000 per year for the first 9 years. Medical volunteers have increased from 4 weeks of coverage in 1991 to over 40 weeks of coverage in the year 1999. Over $500,000 of donated equipment, supplies and medications have been sent to Falmouth including a new 1994 Suburu station wagon. An effort has been made to control the growth in manageable stages.

In 1996, under the leadership of Donald Moss, Ph.D., Past-President of Spring Lake ROTARY it was apparent that we were now running a small business and it was necessary to restructure. A Non-profit 501-c3 Corporation was formed and the Grand Haven, MI, Holland, MI, and Muskegon, MI Rotary Clubs were taken on as full Partners in the financial support of the project. In 1996 the project expanded to include Dental volunteers as well. In 1997, a $15,000 matching grant from Rotary International (RI) permitted the purchase of an operating microscope and equipment necessary to expand into the next phase of Ophthalmology services. Rotarian, Dave VerLee, M.D. and Bill Zimmerman, MD, Past President of FPA are coordinators of this phase. In 1999, a full chemistry laboratory was established.

As the development of the project matures, the next phase will be to provide opportunities for Surgical Specialists to volunteer their services. Dave VanNostrand, MD has volunteered over 10 weeks of service and as a general surgeon, will spearhead that phase growth. The next expansion, in the coming year will be the adoption of the Pediatrics ward by the Fremont and White Cloud, MI Rotary Clubs.

As additional Rotary Clubs join the project, it will allow further expansion into other medical needs as well a community needs. In 1997, the project identified specific projects to support in the community of Falmouth. These include the Library, the Infirmary, the Kitchen of Love (soup kitchen), two elementary schools, and the H.E.A.R.T. Vocational Training Center (V.T.C.). Recent containers have included over 75 computers for the hospital, schools, and V.T.C. as well as books and supplies for the Library and schools. A construction team has put a roof on the infirmary and provided a large number of plumbing and electrical repairs that were badly needed.

As of this writing, over 350weeks of medical service and over a half million dollars of financial support in cash and donated supplies have been provided. Support staff consists of Barbara Greene, Executive Secretary, Helen McFall, coordinator for scheduling volunteers. Rotarians John Clickner and Ken Lahey are coordinators for shipping, equipment and supplies. Paul Haight, D.O. is medical director, Walt Weber, DDS is dental director, David VerLee, M.D. is director of Ophthalmology, and Don Moss, PhD. is director of Psychological Services. There is also an active Board of Directors chaired by Tom Bos and a volunteer ROTARY Committee in Montego Bay chaired by George Palmer, acting as host and coordinators in Jamaica. This project could not exist without the hard work and commitment of many Jamaican Rotarians. Max Southby has been a strong supporter from the very beginning. Dr. Alex Konstantinov and Dr. Rao Ponnada coordinate all medical and dental volunteers. Roger Campbell is Secretary and in charge of taking care of the car. And Kevin Samuda is the local Falmouth librarian who is our main coordinator for the non-medical projects.