The Tribune

BARRY Rassin, a member of the Rotary Club of East Nassau, has been appointed as president of Rotary International for 2018-2019, the Rotary Clubs of the Bahamas announced.

The local Rotary chapter extended congratulations to Mr Rassin on his appointment.

"We are extremely proud of Rotarian Barry's accomplishments and stand ready to serve and assist where needed," a press release said.

Mr Rassin is the selection of the nominating committee for president of Rotary International for 2018-19. He will be declared the president-elect on September 1 if no challenging candidates have been suggested.

As president, Mr Rassin aims to strengthen Rotary's public image and its use of digital tools to maximise the organisation's reach.

"Those who know what good Rotary clubs do will want to be a part of it, and we must find new models for membership that allow all interested in our mission to participate," Mr Rassin said in a press release.

"With Rotary more in the public eye, we will attract more individuals who want to be part of and support a membership organisation that accomplishes so much good around the world."

Mr Rassin earned an MBA in health and hospital administration from the University of Florida and is the first fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives in the Bahamas. He recently retired after 37 years as president of Doctors Hospital Health System, where he continues to serve as an adviser. He is a lifetime member of the American Hospital Association and has served on several boards, including the Quality Council of the Bahamas, Health Education Council, and Employer's Confederation.

A Rotarian since 1980, Mr Rassin has served Rotary as director and is vice chair of The Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees. He was an RI training leader and the aide to 2015-2016 RI President K R Ravindran.

Mr Rassin received Rotary's highest honour, the Service Above Self Award, as well as other humanitarian awards for his work leading Rotary's relief efforts in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake there. He and his wife, Esther, are major donors and benefactors of The Rotary Foundation.

Mr Rassin's nomination follows Sam F Owori's death in July, just two weeks into his term as Rotary International president-elect.