I was honored to be asked to give a lecture to the Dominican Medical Association on November 30, 2012. The group consists of physicians from the Dominican Republic who are living in the US. Some have obtained their licenses here and work as doctors, others are studying to pass the exams, and others work in different capacities.

What I was impressed with was the dedication of this group of health care professionals to the Dominican Community. They hold events and screenings to promote good health and nutrition, as well as educating the community on the importance of blood pressure management, diabetes, and cancer screenings.

For the great majority of members, they will never practice medicine here in the US, but they choose to stay for the betterment of their families and the opportunities available here. They continue to love their country of birth, and many support family over there as well.

Being a doctor is about a desire to help people. Licensed or not, the members of the DMA are doctors, and all of their “patients” here in the Dominican community are grateful for their care.