The Rote – January 23rd, 2019
The Miami Yacht Club
Scribe: Amelia Bonilla

President Norby Rudel rang the bell at 12:30 sharp and welcomed everyone to the meeting. Amelia Bonilla gave an invocation. Angela Deggs led us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Visitors and Guests were introduced by Bjorn  Hansen

• Nan Kulkarni and Satish are Rotarians visiting our club from the West County Rotary Club in St. Louis, Missouri. Nan is a current Distric Governor and was very pleased with the weather and even more pleased to see so many women in our club.

• Jason Ghelssari is a Rotarian visiting from the McLean Rotary Club in McLean, Virginia. He has a seasonal rental on Miami Beach and spends time in the area part of the year.

• Elena Tushina is an interior designer and is inspired by our club. She would like to place more focus on doing good in the world.

• Bailey Crespi has Rotary in her blood as both her dad and grandfather are past Rotary Club Presidents. Bailey has participated in a Rotary student exchange. She currently works at Oppenheimer.

Happy $$$$$$$$$$$$$ were collected by Dave Skinner

• Marcia Brod brought all the ladies that went out on a fun outing with her up onstage. They all went to see “The Naked Magicians” and it apparently did not disappoint!

• Jason Ghelssari likes our club and is happy to be here.

• Nan Kulkarni loves the weather and is thrilled to see so many female Rotarians in our club. She told the story of how she connected with seven Rotarians on a cruise ship – Rotary is always a great reason to meet and greet anywhere in the world.

• Noreen Timoney was happy one granddaughter was just baptized. She also shared that her 13-year-old granddaughter was sick. Fortunately, she is getting better now.

• Diane Stieber lost her father years ago, and her mom has been sad for a long time. Diane is now happy that her mom finally decided to move to a new home, is meeting new people and is doing well.

• John Carroll was happy that he was not called to service in the last few weeks to assist with the MD Fire Department. Only two fires have occurred in the last two weeks – an amazing stretch of positive news.

• Diane Landsberg said that Robert Bull did such a great job teaching the Financial Literacy program to the Girl Scout Troop that he deserves a Girl Scout badge! Our club has been collecting money for Australia and Diane’s granddaughter made cupcakes to sell and made some adorable signs with a koala and a kangaroo. Her granddaughter raised $195 and the club is matching that amount to send to Australia. What a wonderful service project!

• Robert Bull has had a tough week. Two of his friends passed away recently and another is in bad shape. Robert says he doesn’t want any more friends!

• Steve Dutton is inspired to donate to Australia. He says he knows the country well and is concerned about sea rise.

• Norby Rudel is happy that Elena and Bailey joined us today. He is having his last training for the half-marathon he is running soon. Go Norby!!

• Phil Seipp shared that the deadline for TBM applications is February 15th. Please set aside the last three Saturdays in March for the interviews.

• Jay Almeida is proud of both of his daughters. The oldest is getting married this Saturday.

• Elena Tushina is happy to be here and happy to help out.

Announcements by Diane Landsberg and Robert Bull

• No meeting Thursday, January 30. Instead, we will be at the FIU Tamiami campus for a TBM Pinning Ceremony on Friday, January 31^st at 4:30pm. Students will receive a pin and a stethoscope. We will also be inducting the newly formed FIU Rotaract Club.

• Valentine’s Day Party at the Cloisters on February 14^th.

• Cathy Cahill received her Paul Harris fellow +3 pin.

• The Tree Planting at Zoo Miami will be on Saturday, February 8^th. We will be planting 100 trees. If you would like to dedicate a tree, Robert has biodegradable tags to attach to a tree.

• We will be going back to the PACE facility for the elderly in April.

• We will also be revisiting the First United Methodist Church of Homestead for Feed Miami.

Program

• Dr. Stephan de Buren is a Medical Doctor and the founder & President of DeBuren Group. He is recognized as one of the industry’s most highly-regarded medical service experts. With over 25 years of experience in medicine on three continents, he has all the know-how to guide patients in the complex US healthcare system. Dr. de Buren has appeared in more than 100 articles, radio and television programs.

• Dr. de Buren started his medical studies in 1991 in Switzerland. He shared his years of studies between Geneva and Paris and graduated from Geneva Medical School in 1998. After working in internal medicine, geriatrics and pediatrics, Dr. de Buren then held senior management positions in marketing for pharmaceutical and laboratory companies for nine years at two prestigious companies, Sanofi and Unilabs, two leaders in their categories.

• In 2007, his spirit of entrepreneurship led him to leave his position as a marketing director and to found Novacorpus International Healthcare, a successful and innovative company in the field of health tourism, a very promising domain. Novacorpus grew and is now a leading company in Europe.

• Dr. de Buren also launched the DeBuren Group here in Miami as a result of numerous frustrating experiences with the US healthcare system. DeBuren Group concentrates on defending patients against common abuses of the US healthcare system: overpricing, overtreatment, unnecessary tests, lack of service and coordination, overbilling and claim denials. The patient’s interest as a sole goal is the core value of the DeBuren Group.

• Without patient advocacy services, your doctor or hospital could be selected by chance or based on non-medical criteria.

• With little to no experience in healthcare it is difficult for patients to counter providers’ insurance and billing department mistakes effectively.

• Major stress often occurs since you may be left on your own with potentially life changing medical events with few solutions. Overwhelming costs and risk of personal bankruptcy are also stressful to a patient.

• The DeBuren Group helps a client through the cultural shock of the US healthcare system.

50/50

We began with $135. Angela Deggs pulled the card, but no luck!

4-Way Test

Diane Stieber led us in the 4-Way Test of the Things We Think, Say or Do.

That concludes another great meeting, brought to you by the Rotary Club of Miami.