Thanks and appreciation from Mount Sinai Heart Cardiovascular Disparities Center

As we came to the end of the first "Blood Pressure without Borders" medical mission in Montserrat, I realized that it was actually a beginning, we have really just skirted the tip of the iceberg. The initial invitation from the Minister of Health, Colin Riley, was simply to come to island to provide cardiac care to patients who had no access to such care without leaving the island. Knowng the impact that the ASH community outreach committee has had in the New York neighborhoods, I knew that a collaborative effort would be phenomenal and it indeed it was.

As Director of the Mount Sinai Cardiovascular Disparties Center, I would like to thank the president of ASH, Dr George L. Bakris for his vision, the Chair of the ASH Community Outreach Comittee, Dr. Keith C. Ferdinand for his leadership, Gilda Caputo Hansen for her tireless energy and organizational skills and the entire committee for their support. I would also like to thank Nancy Thomas - coordinator for Mount Sinai Heart CDC for her hard work and committment, our community partners the Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) for their contributions. I would like to thank the leadership at Mount Sinai Heart and Medical Center (Dr. Valentin Fuster, Dr. Samin Sharma and Dr. Jagat Narula) for believing in me. Last but certainly not least, I would like thank all the people of Montserrat especially the Chief Minister Reuben Meade, Deputy Governor Sarita Weekes, Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael Owen, Minister of Health Colin Riley and former Ambassador to the United States Laurine Fenton, for their wonderful reception of the team, for their optimism and appreciation.

This is just the beginning, we hope to be back next year for another epic event, this time we hope to include a community based eduational program. Looking forward to everyone's feed back and comments.



The volcano with the destroyed town "Plymouth"



L-R Dep Gov Sarita Weekes, Robert Rowe, Dorothea Hazel, Chief MInister Reuben Meade, Dr. Fergus, Laurine Fenton, CMO Dr. Michael Owens



Gilda and Dr Fergus at the farewell celebration

                                                              Happy Labor Day to all!
                                                              Dr. Icilma Fergus Rowe