Rotary International Convention 2018: HealthRays® Recap

Events

HealthRays® has wide reach at International Convention

This year’s Rotary International Convention in Toronto was one of the best yet for Rotary HealthRays. We made hundreds of new connections and advanced our goals, thanks to the presentation Pam Kerr made during the “Hard-won Partnerships: Best Practices from the Field” breakout session and the work of these dedicated volunteers at the booth in the House of Friendship:

Carlos Frum, Helen and George Jost, Bruce Baumberger, Don Brewer and Roseann, Pam Kerr and Andy, Rick Rivkin, Sarah Oliver, Mike Ericksen, Jim Wales, Kris and Michael Young, Nancy Shepherdson, Randy Wear, Steve Jambor, Suzanne Lyhus, Lyle Staab and Karen Hutchings.

Rotary International Convention 2018 - Toronto - HealthRays - Liu, AG Karen Hutchings, PDG Pam Kerr, Jean, PDG Horn Jenn-Pan, AG Alex Fu-Ming Liu
Liu, AG Karen Hutchings, PDG Pam Kerr, Jean, PDG Horn Jenn-Pan, AG Alex Fu-Ming Liu
Rotary International Convention - 2018 - Toronto - HealthRays - PDG Pam Kerr, PRIP Gary Huang PDG, Carlos Früm
PDG Pam Kerr, PRIP Gary Huang PDG, Carlos Früm

Main point shared with visitors

During our time in Toronto, the breakout session was live-streamed and attendees were able to receive a one-page handout of HealthRays® Partnerships Takeaways. Download the convention key points and the presentation handout to see what was shared related to HealthRays. Additionally, we stressed a number of key points about HealthRays with booth visitors. First, the impact of our project: HealthRays arranges x-rays locally through the internet for remote areas serving up to 100,000 people at each clinic in Guatemala. Nine clinics are established and operating, and four more are set to be installed — with our end goal 29 clinics in total to be completed. Second, outstanding participation: Global grants are established for each clinic and clubs and districts can participate by donating any amount. To date, we have had participation from more than 65 Rotary clubs and 18 Rotary districts — including districts outside the United States. And finally, our unique service model: HealthRays works because there is a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between District 6440 and Rotary Guatemala for the equipment and assistance from local volunteers; The Pan American Health Organization trains HealthRays technicians and the Guatemalan government updates clinics with reliable power, internet, doctors, staff and safe areas for each x-ray machine.

Convention Key Points

Presentation Handout

Rotary International Convention 2018 - Toronto - HealthRays - NB President Scott Rose PDG Pam Kerr
NB President Scott Rose, PDG Pam Kerr
Rotary International Convention 2018 - Toronto - HealthRays - PDG Mike Ericksen AG Karen Hutchings PDG Carlos Früm
PDG Mike Ericksen, AG Karen Hutchings, PDG Carlos Früm
Lasting contacts made

More than 80 people left contact information with our volunteer staff for follow-up and updating. Positive feedback was received from many booth visitors, who said they were planning to take HealthRays information to their clubs and districts. Several people told us they came to the HealthRays booth because they had seen the video about our project on Rotary’s “Hall of Friendship” screen during the Toronto convention. Again, many thanks to all of our volunteers — we are making great progress!

Rotary International Convention 2018 - Toronto - HealthRays - signage of the renewal of the MOU
Ambassador from Taiwan in Guatemala, Honorable Adolfo Sun, PDG Pam Kerr, Minister of Public Health and Social Assistance of Guatemala Dr. Jorge Alejandro Villavicencio, PRID Jorge Aufranc, PAHO Representative in Guatemala Dr. Guadalupe Verdejo Privet, PRID Luis Felipe Valenzuela, PDG Carlos Früm, PDG Sarah Oliver, PDG Mike Yesner, PDG José Mauricio Rodriguez, three employees of the Ministry of Public Health
Rotary International Convention - 2018 - Toronto - HealthRays - PRIP John Germ, his wife Judy, Rotarian Jurg Egli, PRID Jorge Aufranc
PRIP John Germ, his wife Judy, Rotarian Jurg Egli, PRID Jorge Aufranc
How to stay involved

Rotarians and non-rotarians alike can support HealthRays in many ways. Check out our Get Involved page for more information. Don’t forget to register for the 2019 Rotary International Convention!