Rotary Club of Perry Welcomes the New Members of Rotaract – Trinity School of Medicine Chapter

Special to the Journal- For years, the Rotary Club of Perry and its members have demonstrated steadfast dedication to the local community through various service events and fundraisers. Initiatives like the “Creekwood Park Clean-up” aim to restore and maintain Perry’s popular walking trail, while the “Perry Rotary’s Annual Fishing Tournament” raises funds to support local organizations like MAP International.

Marietta Lomboy, serving as the current President of Perry’s Rotary Club and practicing as a Doctor of Nursing at South Houston Internal Medicine, succinctly summarized the organization’s mission: “To serve others, uphold integrity, and foster global understanding, goodwill, and peace through the collaboration of business, professional, and community leaders.”   

Dr. Joseph Stephen Lomboy, MD, serving as Clinical Faculty Adviser of the newly-formed Rotaract Club gave clarity to the purpose of the club during his opening remarks. To foster deeper engagement within the local community through service projects, the Perry Rotary Club played a key role in establishing the “Rotaract” chapter, a student-led organization housed within Trinity School of Medicine. This chapter functions as the official arm of the Trinity Student Government Association specifically focused on community service initiatives. Rotaract members, comprising a whopping 42 medical students at Trinity School of Medicine, actively participate in various projects that address local needs.

Trinity School of Medicine is situated amidst the Caribbean, specifically on the island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Here, students embark on their educational journey, undertaking pre-clinical and foundational science studies before transitioning to Warner Robins and its neighboring locales. It is in these areas that they immerse themselves in clerkship years, honing their clinical skills through hands-on experience. The school defines their students as a community of professionals committed to excellence in education, scholarly activity, patient care and well-being, and community service.

On the evening of March 27th, an induction ceremony led by Rotary District Governor Dr. Felix Smith was held at Houston County Country Club to introduce and celebrate the establishment of the newly formed Rotaract chapter with Trinity School of Medicine. Over 40 students were inducted as founding members of this newly formed chapter.

Inspiration remarks of the evening included speeches from Mayor Randall Walker of Perry Georgia, Todd Edenfield HHC VP Perry Administrator, Dr John P. Geisler Trinity School of Medicine Dean and Provost, and Dr. Kelly J. Manahan Associate Dean of Clinical Sciences and Curriculum.

Joseph Zamora, Rotaract’s President explained the goal of this organization is simply, “To actively serve. We aspire to offer comprehensive support to the underprivileged in the local community, encompassing physical, emotional, and instrumental assistance at all levels.”

In regards to current ongoing initiatives, Rotaract’s Service Public Image Chair Andrew Wolfram has stated that “our entire team has been quick to plan numerous service projects at both the local and global scale.  These projects include an anti-vaping campaign that will aim to educate local middle school students, as well as assisting with the Houston County Volunteer Clinic. Not only are we volunteering on the ground level, but also helping at a systematic level, with hopes of creating impactful, and sustainable change.”

In questioning what this opportunity means to medical students, Brianna Bran, Treasurer, states that “As a medical student it is an honor to be given the opportunity to be part of the Rotaract club. Rotaract has helped me give back to the community, build meaningful relationships with healthcare professionals and students, and gain experience towards becoming a physician. I look forward to engaging more in the community, locally and globally, through the Rotaract club.”

The establishment of the Rotaract Trinity School of Medicine chapter signals a promising commitment to offering a multitude of projects and events aimed at serving the local community in Perry and its surrounding areas.