Doctors Goodwill Foundation Committed To Needy

2013 central florida humanitarians

ABOVE VIDEO: The Doctors Goodwill Foundation orchestrates mercy missions manned by physicians and community leaders who give their uncompensated time and services and pay for their own travel expenses to provide medical care to those desperately needing it.

In 2003, Dr. Kantilal Bhalani got together with a few of his fellow physicians at Parrish Medical Center to launch Doctors’ Goodwill Foundation.

Ten years later, this educational and philanthropic organization boasts a membership of 400 doctors, nurses, pharmacists, allied health workers, hospitals, healthcare agencies and area businesses. This group, dedicated to both helping physicians expand their wealth of knowledge and to assisting the needy at home and around the world, is a prime example of how much can be accomplished with volunteers.

The Foundation’s first annual Doctor’s Expo provided not just a springboard for continuing education and a showcase for state-of-the-art technology, but proceeds from the event also helped fund medical missions that helped 3,000 individuals both at home in Brevard and around the globe. Annual expos have continued that tradition of caring.

MERCY MISSIONS

Missions of compassionate care have significantly impacted the lives of the poor in Costa Rica, Haiti, Tanzania, Brazil, Indonesia, Figi, Pakistan and Tibet. Surgeries are performed and babies are delivered. Well clinics address a host of issues, from infections to tumors.

“Physicians always have a soft spot for helping the community,” said Bhalani. “We are committed to helping people in need.”

The Foundation orchestrates mercy missions manned by physicians and community leaders who give their uncompensated time and services and pay for their own travel expenses to provide medical care to those desperately needing it. Follow-up care assures patients continue receiving help, and the medical supplies and equipment gathered and shipped by the Foundation enables this continuing care.

Doctors’ Goodwill Foundation serves as conduit to channel medical supplies and equipment right into impoverished communities.

A gift of $500,000 in medical supplies aided communities in Venezuela and Haiti. Gifts of wheelchairs and other equipment assist patients in Brevard. A donation of a CT scan machine from Parrish Medical Center is still helping thousands of patients in India, thanks to the Foundation, which arranged for its delivery and setup.

In addition to coordinating time and talent, the Foundation also finds treasure to help those struggling to survive during natural disasters.

In 2005, for example, the Foundation raised $200,000 to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The Foundation also raised $65,000 to help earthquake victims in Kashmir and delegates from the Foundation traveled to help at the massive refugee camp in Islamabad.

The all-volunteer Foundation also funds scholarships to train tomorrow’s leaders in medicine. In 2008, the organization partnered with Parrish Medical Center to provide $160,000 in scholarship funds to pay for the full four-year tuition of a medical student enrolled in the first class at the University of Central Florida Medical College.

EXPO CELEBRATES 10 YEARS

The Doctors’ Goodwill Foundation has worked with The Children’s Center and local schools to provide defibrillators and to support the Brevard Science Fair.

The Foundation also funds scholarships for high school students pursuing a health care career. The group’s newest project, Patients Advocacy Support Services, or PASS, is a service that connects patients with needed healthcare resources through the use of volunteer health care experts who commit to visiting homes, facilities and communities to discuss the best options for care.

A community-wide health expo last year provided Space Coast residents with information on managing chronic issues such as diabetes and hypertension. In 2014, the Doctors’ Goodwill Foundation will host a series of lectures on chronic disease management.

“Our goal is to serve as advocates and connect the community with the health resources they need,” said Bhalani.”

ABOUT THE 2013 CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN AWARDS

The Central Florida Humanitarian Awards were created to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations that dedicate their Time, Talent or Treasure to help people in need locally – and around the world. 

This year, more than 30 deserving humanitarians will be honored during the Gala, which will be held Thursday, Nov. 7 at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place, with the festivities beginning at 6 p.m.

“Over the years, our editorial team has had the distinct honor and pleasure of identifying and featuring the many members of our community who give back so much and are dedicated to reaching out and helping others, here and throughout the world, in a multitude of ways,” said Maverick Multimedia Editor-In-Chief Dr. Jim Palermo.

“We remain firmly committed to identifying and telling those stories and providing a timely media platform to recognize Space Coast and Central Florida residents’ altruistic contributions on a regular basis in our magazines, as well as SpaceCoastDaily.com,” said Dr. Palermo.

This inspiring and compelling event is sponsored by Brighthouse Networks, Health First, Brevard Physicians Network, Florida Pain, Forever Florida, MPAC ACO, Brevard Geriatrics, Community Credit Union, Clear Choice Health Care, Knudson Brain & Spine Law Injury Office, First Choice Medical Group, Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine, CentralFloridaMedicine.com and SpaceCoastDaily.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION or to make a reservation to attend the Central Florida Humanitarian Awards Gala call 321-615-8111 or e-mail SpaceCoastMedicine@gmail.com.

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