Supporting and providing healthcare in rural Haiti
The Haiti Project’s 13th annual Art & Soul Gala raises funds for the staffing, supplies, and operation of a medical clinic in Fiervil, Haiti for a full year. The clinic annually serves thousands of families from 47 remote mountainous communities by providing medical care that these residents would otherwise not have access to. The Art & Soul Gala is supported by local physicians, businesses, and families from the Hudson Valley.
This year’s program will also include an amazing music program featuring last year’s stellar performance from La Bonne Vie with special guest Dr. Elvia (Francois) and Vassar College’s Mahagonny Jazz Combo.
Food will be catered by the Main Course!
We invite you to learn more, and to join us to celebrate the progress being made and to take a stand for improving healthcare accessibility in rural Haiti.
THIS YEAR'S HONOREES
Diane Cicatello, MD
Recognized as a leading Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician, Dr. Cicatello has served children and families in the Hudson Valley for almost 30 years. In 2010 she joined the CareMount Medical Group, and is now a partner at Optum Health, where she provides the region’s most premier care for children. In 2016, she joined the Medical Advisory Board of the Haiti Project, through which she has shared her medical expertise helping to oversee the medical clinic in Fiervil, Haiti. Her trip to the Fiervil clinic in Haiti in 2017 as a medical volunteer provided understanding and insight into the dire state of healthcare in Haiti. She had a special way of connecting with the Haitian children that made them feel comfortable and cared for at the same time. This has reaffirmed her commitment to the quest to provide adequate access to quality healthcare to all people.
In her current practice, she finds herself diagnosing and managing the most complicated behavioral, developmental, neurological and psychiatric conditions. She values the individual connection with each child, and builds a relationship with each family that is lasting and supportive. Dr. Cicatello is recognized by her colleagues for her ease of rapport and accessibility to her patients.
Kimberly Heller, MD
Beginning her work in healthcare in the 1970s as a nurse, Dr. Heller became a physician in 1985 and then completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology, followed by a fellowship in Maternal Fetal Medicine. She has been caring for women with high risk pregnancies in the Hudson Valley for 17 years. As Medical Director at Nuvance Health, specializing in Maternal Fetal Medicine, she is renowned as a leading expert in her field for high-risk pregnancies. Her interests include reproductive rights and safe childbirth. Dr. Heller joined the Medical Advisory Board of the Haiti Project in 2014 and 3 years later traveled to Haiti as a medical volunteer. During that trip, she met with the local Haitian midwife, Marie Vierge, and provided training on treating obstetric hemorrhages.
Her fondest memory from the trip to Haiti is having conversations with Marie Vierge, admiring her knowledge and experience in providing maternity care in a rural setting. She also especially loved singing and dancing with the Women’s Cooperative, meeting the young artisans, and wading across a flooded river with help from the locals. She hopes to return to Haiti to continue work on safe birth practices.
Vassar Haiti Project Alums in Healthcare Careers
Many student participants in the Vassar Haiti Project have chosen to pursue careers in medicine, research and public health. Their participation in our initiatives helped to imagine, and then build, the medical clinic in Fiervil. They committed to furthering the mission in service of others through their career choices.
Caitlyn Anderson ’12, DO
David Bridgman-Packer ’12, MD
Ivy Yijing Chen ’21
Sarah Cheng ’13, MD
Clariola Etienne ’18, MS
Alice Yiqing Fan ’22
Brynna Gleeson ’20
Sonia Gollerkeri ’21, MPH
Jillian Hornbeck ’20, MPH
Amina Islam ’23
Manasi Jiwrajka ’12, MD
Josh Seungjun Kim ’20
Lorraine Kwok ’15, MPH
Serena Lee ’18
Gabriela Mandeville ’19
Molly McCarthy ’21
Alexandra Ng ’19, MA
Sam O’Keefe ’20
Sarah Oliver ’15, MD
Ijeoma Okoye ’21
Ayodele Parker ’15, MPH
Jessica Porras ’24
Laury Senecal ’23
Samin Shehab ’11, MD
Manny Singh ’15
Paarul Sinha ’17, MD
Violet Tse Tan ’20
Grace Tan ’09, PHD
Makeba Walcott ’19
Phebe Warren ’19, MPH
Lanbo Yang ’15, MD
Siyi Wang ’22
Meeraal Zaheer ’20
Connie Zhong ’20
As careers develop, this list of alumni in health careers is constantly evolving.
BECOME A SPONSOR OR DONATE
Click the button below
or mail a check to:
The Haiti Project
P.O. Box 2985
Poughkeepsie NY, 12603
With appreciation for your contribution, your sponsorship includes tickets for the event.
| Level | Amount | Tickets |
|---|---|---|
| Elite Level | $7,500 | 10 tickets |
| Diamond Level | $5,000 | 10 tickets |
| Platinum Level | $3,000 | 8 tickets |
| Gold Level | $1,500 | 6 tickets |
| Silver Level | $1,000 | 4 tickets |
| Bronze Level | $750 | 4 tickets |
| Copper Level | $500 | 2 tickets |
| Friend Level | $250 | 2 tickets |
BONUS: 15% discount on the purchase of any Haitian paintings
Recognition and acknowledgment of your sponsorship will be included in the advertising for the Gala in local papers and magazines, on our website, Facebook and Instagram. Your sponsorship entitles you to a gift from Haitian artisans, and admission to the event.
PROGRAM
The Haiti Project team has worked tirelessly planning the 13th annual Art & Soul Gala - it’s going to be a fantastic evening!
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Venue | Vassar College Alumnae House, 161 College Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 |
| Haitian Art | Peruse and purchase original Haitian art and handcrafts available for sale throughout the evening. Don’t forget: You receive a $50 credit with the purchase of your ticket. |
| Schedule |
|
| Dress | Informally fabulous! |
| Parking | Parking is available at the Alumnae House, The Institute for Liberal Arts, and on Raymond Avenue, College Avenue, and Collegeview Avenue. |
Questions ?
Email: vhp@thehaitiproject.org or call: (845) 797-2123
Purchase an Admission Ticket
To Donate or Become a sponsor
Please fill out the form below
or mail a check to:
The Haiti Project
P.O. Box 2985
Poughkeepsie NY, 12603