MDC Proudly Recognizes Charitable Efforts of Staff Member Rick Michael

As we enter into the holiday season, we’re often reminded this time of year on the value and importance of giving back. For many of our employees at MDC, this spirit of giving is one that can be seen not just around the holidays but throughout the year.

This December, we proudly recognize Rick Michael, MDC’s Director of Business Development for his charitable involvement with the Jim Wilmot Memorial Fund (JWMF) that helps support the humanitarian efforts of the Community Coalition for Haiti (CCH) and the Jim Wilmot Surgical Center within Jacmel, Haiti.

Jim Wilmot was a visionary architect in the challenging field of health care, who was a builder in every sense of the word. He built a very successful architectural design firm, hospitals, relationships and lifelong friendships. Jim had an unbelievable spirit that touched others, always changing them for the better.

When a massive earthquake rocked Haiti in 2010, the Community Coalition for Haiti (CCH) was quick to respond. Their staff and volunteers were some of the first on the ground in Jacmel after the earthquake. Working out of tents erected next to the hospital’s rubble, their staff provided emergency care, surgical and rehabilitative services and logistical leadership support.

Through a client relationship with Inova Health Systems, Jim became involved in relief efforts for Haiti and began working closely with CCH. Together, they had a vision to design a surgical clinic in Jacmel, Haiti that would offer free health care and surgeries to those severely affected and disabled by the hurricane while also teaching and training local doctors.

In the midst of bringing this vision to life, Jim sadly passed away. HIs sudden and unexpected passing left a gaping hole in the lives of everyone who knew him. At his memorial service, his work with CCH was noted and his closest friends soon realized that there was much work that needed to be done.

With the clinic still needing to be completed, they knew they needed to find a way to generate funds that would continue the efforts of offering free care to those in need.

Together with the CCH, Rick was among the many trustees who help establish the Jim Wilmot Memorial Fund (JWMF). Every year in Jim’s honor, an annual golf tournament is hosted and serves as the cornerstone fundraising event for the foundation. This year’s event which was revised due to the pandemic was successfully held on October 28, 2020. 

Over the past eight years those closest to Jim have successfully raised over $600,000 in support of CCH and the Jim Wilmot Surgical Center.

CCH’s mission is to transform lives, one by one, through long term and community driven solutions in healthcare, education and community development. CCH staff and its many volunteers have been working and walking alongside Haitian partners for more than 25 years.

The programs and initiatives of CCH help transform the lives of men, women and children who live, work and worship in the communities that they serve.

To learn more about the Community Coalition for Haiti (CCH) please visit https://www.cchaiti.org/ 

To make a direct donation please visit Donate | Community Coalition for Haiti (cchaiti.org)

CCH is a faith based 501(c)3 non-profit organization. FEIN is 65-1163122.