eHealthWatch Event Profile

THE DOCTORS’ GOODWILL FOUNDATION team getting ready for their Health Expo set for Aug. 23 at Brevard Community College in Titusville, Florida.

The Doctors’ Goodwill Foundation was established as a result of efforts and vision of Parrish Medical Center physicians

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Doctors’ Goodwill Foundation (DGF) will present their Health and Wellness Expo for the community on Sunday, Aug. 23 on the Brevard Community College Titusville Campus.

Susan Tindall

“This year we are changing the format of the Expo to extend from one day to two,” said  Susan Tindall, a DGF official.  “As in the past, we will host education classes for doctors and medical staff, which will take place on Saturday, Aug. 22 at BCC.”

Also added to this year’s program, is a gala banquet to be held at the Great Outdoors on Saturday for the doctors and VIP guests.  The Asian American Convenience Store Association of Central Florida is sponsoring this invitation only benefit.

Educating the Community

The Doctors’ Goodwill Foundation will present their Health and Wellness Expo for the community on Sunday, Aug. 23; and will host education classes for doctors and medical staff on Saturday, Aug. 22.

The Doctors' Goodwill Foundation Health and Wellness Expo on Sunday is open to the public and will feature health screenings as well as educational opportunities on a wide variety of health topics. Working with area hospitals, as well as many other health providers, this event will be a one-stop shop to promote health awareness and increase understanding of available health care in our community.

Screenings will include blood pressure, bone density, PSA, cholesterol, blood sugar, as well as education and demonstrations on subjects such as stress management, diabetes, smoking, healthy living, nutrition, fitness, cancer, home health, heart health, hospice, women’s and men’s health, community services and many others.

Founded on Compassion
The Doctors’ Goodwill Foundation was established in 2003 as a result of the efforts and vision of a group of physicians at Parrish Medical Center in Titusville, Florida.

DR. KANTILAL BHALANI, Doctors’ Goodwill Foundation Founder, on a mission trip in Muzzafarabad, Pakistan.

“These dedicated doctors and medical technicians made frequent donations of their services to medical missions across the globe,”  said Dr. Kantilal Bhalani, DGF Founder. “The DGF recognized the need to provide compassionate medical assistance for those with dire needs worldwide,” he said.

Through the support and expertise of Parrish Medical Center and its medical and professional staff, a local organization was established in Brevard to provide emergency medical and health services for those in need – across the world or locally.

The DGF convened its first annual Doctor’s Expo in May of 2004.  That event provided a springboard for networking, continuing education, and a showcase for opportunities in learning state of the art emerging technologies.

The Governing Board of  the Doctors’ Goodwill Foundation is comprised of physicians and community leaders, however, “volunteers are the backbone of the organization’s success,” said Dr. Bhalani. “Doctors give their uncompensated time, services and travel expenses, as do other medical staff and care providers participating in DGF’s medical missions in mercy,” he said.

Volunteers Are Essential

CHECK IT OUT: Dr. Denis Perez, Chairman of the Doctors’ Goodwill Foundation, and Dr. Pamela Tronetti of Parrish Medical Center, present Dr. Richard Peppler, Associate Dean of UCF’s medical school with a check for $40,000 – and pledged $120,000 over the next three years. Also pictured, from left to right are: Dr. Kiran Modi, DGF Treasurer; Dr. Kantilal Bhalani, DGF Founder; and Pat Manning, Ed.D, Parrish Medical Center Board Member. CLICK ON THE PHOTO FOR RELATED STORY.

In every operational area of DGF, from providing clerical support, or planning and coordinating the offerings at the annual Expo, to packing and provisioning medical missions in far away places  like Nepal, Tanzania, Indonesia – the hard work, hands and hearts of dedicated volunteers are essential.

The inaugural 2004 DGF Expo was an amazing funding success. and allowed the DGF to serve more than 3,000 people who benefited from medical missions to Africa, Haiti, Tibet and Brevard County. Babies were delivered, surgeries performed, and well clinics found a host of healthcare issues from minor infections to tumors.

In addition, the DGF was able to provide over $50,000 in much needed equipment and supplies. Scholarships were awarded to eleven applicants to further their healthcare education or help with mission work.

Medical Missions In Brevard and Abroad
The year 2005 saw many disasters including the tsunami in Malaysia, the earthquake in Pakistan and the hurricane in New Orleans. The DGF hosted a benefit for the American Red Cross to help raise over $200,000 for the victims of Hurricane Katrina alone. Other missions included Costa Rica, Brazil, India, Tanzania and New Orleans.

Locally the DGF is working with schools and The Children’s Center to provide defibrillators, support the Brevard Science Fair, provide seniors with flu vaccines through the Department of Health – as well as doubling the scholarships to those pursuing an education in health care.

“The DGF is proud that the majority of donated funds go back to the community via scholarships, missions and many other ways,” said Tindall.

“We have bought defibrillators, donated to school medical academies, hospital foundations, local people in need – as well as to those devastated by disaster in the US and oversees,” she said.

THE 411 ON DGF HEALTH & WELLNESS EXPO

• WHAT: The Doctors’ Goodwill Foundation Health and Wellness Expo.
• WHEN & WHERE: Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 22 and 23; Brevard Community College, Titusville Campus.
• WHY: A one-stop shop to promote health awareness and increase understanding of available health care in the community.
• CONTACT: Log on to www.DoctorsFoundation.org or call 321-735-6492

CLICK HERE FOR RELATED STORY

THE BREVARD (FLORIDA) INDO-AMERICAN MEDICAL AND DENTAL ASSOCIATION is well known for the international medical missions its members make not only to India but also to Latin America, Africa and other parts of Asia.

Related posts:

1. Doctors’ Goodwill Foundation Expo Starts Today
2. Doctors’ Goodwill Foundation Enhances Quality of Life For Needy
3. DGF Presents Health Expo Today at BCC Titusville
4. DGF Postpones Expo, Plans Trip to Haiti
5. Health First, Precor Sponsors the Florida Anti Aging Expo