About the Heart Foundation of Jamaica

Our History
The Heart Foundation of Jamaica was established in 1971 by The Lions Club of Kingston in an effort to minimize the incidence of death from heart disease in Jamaica.  The Foundation started with a part time secretary and its main focus was to raise funds for assisting the intensive care unit and cardiac surgery at the University Hospital of the West Indies.  With the increasing cost of purchasing medical supplies and growing recognition internationally and locally that prevention was the most cost effective and beneficial way to approach health care, the objective was shifted to one of prevention.  As an independent, registered non-profit, non-governmental organization, The Heart Foundation of Jamaica is committed to its aim of achieving this through its programmes of prevention.

Objectives of the Heart Foundation of Jamaica

  Prevention through education
  Early detection through screening programmes
  Rehabilitation through education on healthy lifestyles

Internationally, the Heart Foundation of Jamaica is a member of The World Heart Federation based in Geneva, Switzerland, The InterAmerican Heart Foundation based in Dallas, Texas, USA and the International Agency on Tobacco and Health (IATH) based in London, England. Locally, the Foundation is a member of the Council of Voluntary Social Services, The Jamaica Coalition for Tobacco Control, and The National Resuscitation Council of Jamaica. The Foundation's Board of Directors includes representatives from The Lions Club of Kingston, University Hospital of the West Indies and the Kingston Public Hospital. The accounts are audited annually by BDO Jamaica and are presented at the Annual General Meeting.

Donations are tax deductible in Jamaica and membership to the Foundation is open to the general public for a small fee. Members receive discounts on services offered. The staff is headed by an Executive Director, assisted by an Administrative Manager and a Medical Manager. There are thirty five (35) salaried members of staff at the Foundation.


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Our Board of Directors

The Board members of The Heart Foundation of Jamaica are:

  Dr Knox Hagley, Chairman
  Mr George Bullock, Vice Chairman
  Mr Peter Bangerter, Secretary/Treasurer
  Mr Barry Beckford
  Mr Michael King
  Mr Winston Barrett
  Mr Keith Shervington
  Prof Edwin Besterman
  Dr Edward Chung
  Dr Donald Christian
  Ms Susan Fox
  Dr Wendy Gardner
  Mrs Phyllis Francis
  Mrs Noelle Lalor
  Prof Rainford Wilks
  Dr Hafeezul Mohammed
  Dr Lambert Innis
  Ms Sheryll Lopez
  Mr Robert Rhoden



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The Management Team
 

The Managers are listed below. Please feel free to contact any of us.

  Deborah Chen, Executive Director
  Novelette Dunn, Administrative Manager
  Paul Thompson, Medical Manager



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Photo Gallery
 

Take a look at the Staff of the Heart Foundation as well as visitors.


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