Montefiore Einstein entered into an historic agreement with the Government of the Dominican Republic and the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD) to be official partners in healthcare, research and health-professions education. Led by Philip O. Ozuah, MD, PhD, President and CEO, Montefiore Einstein, and His Excellency Mr. Luis Abinader, President of the Dominican Republic, this new commitment advances health quality and access for the Dominican people and reinforces Montefiore Einstein’s long-standing ties to the Dominican American community in the United States.
“Montefiore Einstein is privileged to care for the most vibrant and dynamic Dominican community anywhere beyond this nation’s shores…. We remain committed to advancing health quality and access for the Dominican people,” Dr. Ozuah said. “This is one of the proudest days in my tenure leading Montefiore Einstein.”
The partnership was announced during a ceremony in Santo Domingo, where a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed by Dr. Ozuah, President Abinader and Editrudis Beltrán, Dean, UASD. Joining them were Daniel Rivera, Minister of Public Health and Social Assistance for the Dominican Republic; U.S. Congressman Adriano Espaillat, who helped bring everyone together; and a number of Montefiore Einstein leaders, including Mario J. Garcia, MD, Chief, Division of Cardiology, Co-Director, Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart and Vascular Care, and Professor, Medicine and Radiology, Peter P. Semczuk, DDS, MPH, Senior Vice President and Executive Director, Moses and Wakefield Campuses, Marcos A. Crespo, Senior Vice President, Community Affairs, Joe Solmonese, Senior Vice President, Government Relations and Strategic Communications, and Lilliam A. Perez, Vice President, Government and Community Relations.
New York City is home to nearly 900,000 Dominican Americans. “Today, we make a new commitment to strengthening current relationships and to forging new ones as we advance what must remain our guiding priority: the health and well-being of the families who have put their faith in us,” Dr. Ozuah said at the National Palace in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, at the signing of the MOU.
An evening reception to celebrate the historic partnership was attended by a delegation from Montefiore Einstein, numerous dignitaries from the Dominican Republic and Montefiore Einstein patients from the Dominican Republic.
The MOU supports the sharing of knowledge, technology and other resources.
The partners will collaborate to find innovative ways to expand access to quality medical care and education across the Dominican Republic and to provide Dominicans living in the United States with affordable, high-quality healthcare. It also includes opportunities for academic exchanges to improve the training of Dominican doctors.
Montefiore Einstein will leverage its research expertise to sponsor and participate in medical research projects with a specific focus on the health concerns of the Dominican people and will leverage its vendor relationships and procurement strength to help the Dominican Republic obtain much-needed medical supplies and equipment.
As part of the celebrations and after touring the country’s new teaching hospital, the Dr. Luis Aybar Children's Maternal Hospital in Santo Domingo, Dr. Ozuah announced Montefiore Einstein will donate two ambulances to the Dominican Republic to help decrease the severe ambulance shortage in the country.
“Montefiore Einstein remains committed to the Dominican people, and we are inspired and energized to be an unstoppable force for good here with you,” Dr. Ozuah said. “This is a powerful partnership, a great day for our institutions, and a hopeful day for the communities we serve.”
