The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

THE DOCTORS Hospital Dr Meyer Rassin Foundation Scholarship Programme hosted a lunch hour fashion show at Lucianos of Chicago last week to raise money for the scholarship fund.

The foundation was created in 1999 in honour of the late Dr Meyer Rassin, a leader in healthcare in the Bahamas from 1942. Although the foundation also assists in the purchase of medical equipment and from time to time provides financial assistance to Bahamians who are unable to afford necessary medical care, the vast majority of the money raised provides scholarships for Bahamians pursuing higher education in all areas of health care.

With events such as fashion and art shows, the Foundation attracts the attention of many locals to assist in raising funds. Just over 200 people were patrons at Lucianos in support of the cause.

“Events like this fashion show and luncheon are what make it possible for the Dr Meyer Rassin Foundation to continue providing necessary scholarships for Bahamians pursuing higher education in all areas of health-care. An event such as this lets all members of the public come up and help us while having fun and really enjoying themselves and their friends,” said Barry Rassin, president of Doctors Hospital Health System. This year, in addition to the fashion show hosted by long standing partner Rubin’s, a number of local artists and artisans came on board.

The Rubin’s models sported the new exclusive fall collection by Kamali Kulture, Anne Klein, Maggy London and other popular designer labels.

Guests had a chance to participate in an art auction featuring the works of Stan Burnside and Judson Picot Eneas.

For the 14 years the Dr Meyer Rassin Foundation has been involved in scholarship funding, Mr Rassin said they have been able to help about 400 students and raise little over 300,000 dollars in the process.

“Every year we have different events to support the cause, and for three years we have had a fashion show. The students are just heart warming when they come back and they have been able to achieve their goals because they have a couple extra dollars from us to help. It just makes you feel good that there are a lot of good young people out there, and if we support them, we have a great future ahead of us. I know that some of them may have taken the wrong road, but there are a lot of good ones out there and we need to work to help them to reach their dreams,” said Mr Rassin.

Mr Rassin said he was approached by an attendee at the event who wanted to join the foundation committee. “She really likes what we are doing and she wants to be apart of it. Like every organisation it starts off slow and we do what we can to progress. Over the last five years we have really expanded the capabilities, but it is all about how much funds we have been able to raise. So the more funds we have, the more scholarships we can be able to provide,” said Mr Rassin.

For the past five years, KellyAnne Smith of Rubin’s said they have been the main sponsors for the “Dollars For Scholars” Dr Meyer Rassin Foundation events.

“This year we have decided to host the event in October for our Fall season. We always like to partner up with Doctors Hospital and the foundation in aid of the scholarship funding for Bahamian students pursuing medical careers. Whatever we can do to help in hosting events like this, we always have to do it. Dollars For Scholars are one of our main charities that we focus on,” said Ms Smith.

Ms Smith said these events are important, as far as education is concerned. She said no matter where the funds are coming from or where they are going, if it is supporting a Bahamian youth looking for education purposes, then it is extremely important for every business entrepreneur to be involved in.

“We just happen to have a really great relationship with Doctors Hospital and the foundation so it has always been a perfect marriage for us to cross pollinate the events. Our suppliers that we have from New York and abroad, they love to see their retailers out there doing something good in the community and this is our way of giving back and it is our way of supporting our Bahamian youth. There are so many professions that we are lacking and we are able to somehow fill in these gaps with the scholarships,” said Ms Smith.