The meeting started with a delightful BBQ buffet. At 12:15 PRESIDENT BRUCE rang the bell and new member SANDRA SOLIAL led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and song “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.”
ROGER HARWELL announced some sad news that our member PRODIP DUTTA passed away over the weekend. He was 87, looked about 10 or 15 years less than that, led a wonderful life with a remarkable amount of giving back not only in the USA but also in India. Through a microloan program that PRODIP started, over 7,000 people have worked their way out of poverty! RIP PRODIP!
DOT KRET offered a lovely inspiration in her typical rhyming style. She highlighted our efforts of the 16th Annual Car Show and offered excitement for the 17th.
KHRIS DODGE worked hard to rhyme the names of our guests but couldn’t make it happen. We’re glad they joined us.
ALAN ROGERS introduced our guest Judy Rich, President & CEO of Tucson Medical Center (TMC). Judy offered some insight into her history at TMC. She was mentored by our past member DON SHROPSHIRE who would visit her office and give her two tickets to the Tucson Classics Car Show. Judy said “We only exist to serve our community.” She outlined the multiple entities of TMC to include Benson Hospital and Northern Cochise Community Hospital. All entities are led by women. TMC was ranked a #1 Hospital by US News and World Report. 100,000 patients visit the Emergency Department (ER)each year. Judy said that the right time to go to the ER is at 5am however if you have chest pains, go immediately. TMC is part of the Mayo Clinic network. She ended her presentation with a vision for the future and said that they don’t plan on building a newer, bigger/taller hospital at the current TMC location but rather envision an investment where they bring healthcare closer to peoples’ homes. She signed the book “My Doctor’s Visit: A Doctor Book for Kids.”MIKE TANNENBAUM was celebrating his birthday and has been a Rotarian for 40 years. What you might not know about him is that he was a “Barker” at Revere Beach in Boston, MA. He offered an auditory example of how he’d lure people in to spend money at games along the boardwalk. MARK IRVIN #101 celebrated his birthday. Something we may not know about him is that he started riding horses when he was 8 years old and won the coveted Los Charros Top Rider Belt Buckle twice. JUDY KEAGY celebrated her birthday as well. She was glad to be celebrating the day Judy and TMC were presenting as she also has a career built in healthcare. An interesting note on Judy is that she flew cross-country in a helicopter when she was 40.
We had two introductions of new members. MARK IRVIN introduced MICHAEL GUYMAN who is the CEO at the Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce. MICHAEL was born the same year that
MARK graduated high school. HUGH THOMPSON introduced SANDRA SOLIAL. SANDRA was born in N’Djamena, Chad, Africa and desired to help those in need in the USA as well as globally. She’s an entrepreneur and owns Beauty Boutique Hair Salon and Extension Bar.MATT BLAIR offered a remarkable live auction with KEITH WIEGAND winning the UA vs USC Football tickets. Next, KHRIS DODGE held a raffle where JIM WOOD won $105.00 but not the highly valuable pot.
ALAN ROGERS announced that the next replacement Mixer would be held at Proof (River/Campbell) on Monday, November 7th. Remember no meeting on Wednesday, 11/9. CHAR HARRIS gave a quick history lesson on the Polio Virus as well as Rotary International’s involvement in stopping it. Rotary started fighting the Polio Virus in the Philippines in 1979. She reminded us that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will match any donated money, 2 to 1. So, if you sponsor a Rotarian riding in El Tour de Tucson for $100, a total of $300 will be donated to the cause. BOBBY LARSON presented plaques to our top car winners and shared some news of the 16th Annual Tucson Classics Car Show. As of now, we sold 82% of our Goal, or 24,659 tickets. There are still some unaccounted for so that number is sure to go up.
PRESIDENT BRUCE concluded the meeting with a quote by Albert Einstein and toast those who selflessly serve our community and that includes Tucson Medical Center. Cheers!
