Help Jamaican Medical Mission (HelpJaMM) is a nonprofit 501 c3 organization based in East Orange, New Jersey. Founded in January 2010, by Dr. Robert Clarke with the assistance of Dr. Rudolph Willis, we discussed and decided to provide free quality health care to the medically disadvantaged in Jamaica and New Jersey.
As a then member of the Caribbean Medical Mission venturing out on numerous missions across the Caribbean, it not only became apparent to me that quality healthcare was in demand on our Island of Jamaica but that follow-up visits were of vital importance in assisting the underserved and medically disadvantaged in Jamaica.
By June 2010, our first annual mission was underway; and in September 2010, the first mission was successfully executed. We visited 8 different sites across the island working from 7:00am in the morning to mid night most nights. By the end of the designated two weeks an excess of 4,000 patients were seen, diagnosed and treated, as well as given eye glasses and medication.
HelpJaMM is the Medical Chapter of the National Association of Jamaica and Supportive organization (NAJASO),that creates awareness in matters of national interest in the United States of America and Jamaica. Members volunteer their time and services, spending countless hours in meetings, organizing fund raisers and mission trips, adopting schools and awarding several scholarships each year.
Since the organization’s inception, to date, the mission has made yearly visits to various parishes across the Island and has seen approximately 20,000 patients which include follow up visits and counseling sessions. Additionally, several life-saving surgeries have been performed both in Jamaica and New Jersey.