March 15, 2009 – Governor John P. deJongh Jr. participated in Friday's weekly luncheon meeting of the Rotary Club of St. John to witness the club's donations, especially member Donald Sussman, to further develop the telemedicine project at Myrah Keating Smith Clinic on St. John.
Philanthropist Donald Sussman made a donation to the Rotary Club of St. John in the amount of $117,521.81 to advance the telemedicine project, which will allow patients at the clinic to be evaluated by specialists at the Cleveland Clinic in Weston, Florida, in real time.
In brief remarks, Gov. deJongh praised the spirit of Donald Sussman, whom he described as a friend of the Virgin Islands. "From his involvement at the University of the Virgin Islands to his work in a number of community organizations to now with this most noteworthy donation to our health care system, Mr. Sussman makes dreams real." DeJongh also recognized Schneider Regional Medical Center Interim Director Elizabeth Harris, Medical Director Dr. Ruth Thelma Watson and Administrator of the Smith Community Health Center Harold Wallace for their efforts in providing quality health care to all residents of the V.I. Delegate Donna M. Christensen was also in attendance.