Health Horizons International News - August 2012 A final note from Laura Dear friends, At the beginning of August, after two months of preparing fo

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Health Horizons International News - August 2012

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A final note from Laura

Dear friends,

At the beginning of August, after two months of preparing for transition while continuing to grow our public health and patient care programs, we welcomed HHI’s new Executive Director, Paul Guggenheim, to Montellano. For me, spending these two months in the Dominican Republic, with the knowledge that I would soon be stepping down from my role, created a whirlwind of activity, reflection, planning, appreciation, conversation, and admittedly a little anxiety. Now, being home in Boston and stepping away from my day-to-day involvement, I am beyond grateful to witness the positive energy, progress, and ambition with which the HHI team is beginning this next chapter. It is amazing to reflect on how far HHI has come in the last three years, and I am filled with hope and excitement for the road ahead.

With your support and investment, HHI has grown beyond what was even imaginable a few years ago. It has been an absolute privilege to work with HHI’s Board, staff, community health workers, volunteers, and partner communities in the Dominican Republic, and to know that our vision has earned the trust of friends and supporters near and far. Together, we have grown into an organization that is built on a foundation of collaboration, partnership, and mutual learning and respect. We have trusted one another to question, to innovate, to listen, and to view health as a comprehensive construct, as an opportunity for empowerment. Together, we have challenged ourselves to ensure our model and actions were aligned with our vision and ideals. There are many things I wish I had known or done differently as Executive Director, and many things I am proud we achieved, but in the end, I am grateful to be able to reflect on the last three years and know that our commitment to these values came to form the basis of our integrity.

As Paul takes the reins as HHI’s Executive Director, I have the utmost confidence in his leadership to pursue our existing goals and ideas, and to shape new directions in collaboration with the rest of our team and partners. The task of achieving scalability and sustainability -- programmatically, financially, and operationally -- is a long-term goal that will demand a collective effort. Whether you have impacted HHI as a donor, a volunteer, a staff member, an adviser, a partner, or an advocate, I ask for your continued support to ensure that HHI is positioned for success. Your contributions to our mission are incredibly meaningful. I am excited to be remaining on the Board of Directors, and hope you will join me in continuing to be a part of HHI’s work.

I am deeply grateful for and humbled by all of the people in the Dominican Republic and United States who have shared their lives, ideas, challenges, and strengths in order to create what is now Horizontes de Salud. Thank you for the opportunity to learn from you, to work alongside you, and to be a part of this vision with you. Thank you for your encouragement and investment -- whether financially, with your time and expertise, or with your trust, endorsement, and partnership -- and your willingness to fight for this cause. It is an honor to have been a part of the journey to create and lead this organization. It is a journey that has consumed my mind, my heart, and my spirit, and one that I will always carry with me, no matter where my road leads next.

Sincerely,
Laura

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August Highlights

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Willy and Leniza, at work on the electronic medical records system.

We are thrilled to welcome Willy Destin and Carlito Castillo Peralta into their new roles as Clinical Assistant and Community Health Worker Coordinator! Having excelled in their work as cooperadores de salud, Willy and Carlito will be taking on additional responsibilities through these two newly created positions on the HHI team. We are also delighted to welcome Leniza Tineo, a recent Social Work graduate from New York University, as our second Clinical Assistant for the upcoming year!


The latrine project has continued in Severet under Peace Corps Volunteer Maria's direction, and community leaders from Pancho Mateo have begun working with Public Health Director Tracy to explore grant opportunities for continuing the water project.


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Carlito, updating a patient's chart.

Preparations for the Fall Medical Service trip came into full swing, including in-the-field community health worker refresher training; setting up appointments for our 120 Chronic Care Program patients; providing case-finding guidance for the cooperadores to give appointments to other priority patients; ordering and organizing all medications for our pharmacy; preparing medical records and volunteer orientation materials; and so much more!

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Laura, Paul, Catherine, and other community health workers and friends.

A "Welcome & Goodbye" Celebration was held at the new HHI office in Montellano, for all of our community health workers, volunteers, and staff to meet Paul, say goodbye to Laura, and celebrate a summer of transition. See more photos on our facebook page here.


Check out the new Research Projects - Final Reports section on our website! Read about the challenges of potable water access in Pancho Mateo versus Arroyo de Leche; factors affecting medication adherence among hypertensive patients; community perceptions of non-communicable disease; and more. Many thanks to all of the researchers who have contributed their hard work and expertise to these important projects!

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On the Horizon

Our Fall Medical Service Trip team arrives on Saturday, September 1st! Stay tuned to hear about the outcomes of the week of primary health care field clinics, and the next steps for our Chronic Care Program patients and other community members.


For those of you in the Boston area, remember that HHI is holding a benefit event on Saturday, November 3rd, and we would love for you to be there! Invitations and further information are coming soon, but please save the date.

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Health Horizons International is committed to improving community health and expanding access to primary health care in partnership with communities affected by poverty in the Dominican Republic.

Thank you for your support and belief in our cause.

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