We formed a unique collaboration between Jose’s Hands, OTTOM, and medical officials in the Dominican Republic. Together harnessed the expertise of dedicated health and medical professionals to address a myriad of challenges in the Dominican Republic.
Plagued by poverty and limited healthcare resources, the country's disease burden is alarmingly high. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malnutrition and treatable diseases such as diarrhea, malaria, and typhoid fever contribute to the majority of deaths among children. In addition to basic medical concerns, frequent natural disasters pose great healthcare challenges. Located near a Caribbean-Atlantic fault line, the Dominican Republic is often hard hit by hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes.
2018 Jose's Hands Ambassadors
Joelvis Cuadros
Hi, my name is Joelvis Cuadros and I am currently a 4th-year pharmacy student at Nova Southeastern University. I pursued my undergraduate studies at Florida Atlantic University majoring in Biology. I was born in Queens, New York, and my nationality is Dominican. I am extremely thrilled about this amazing opportunity and am looking forward to this moment.
Doris Terry
My name is Doris Terry, a biochemist. I am a PharmD student at Nova Southeastern University. I have worked in various positions such as Protein Scientist and facility Manager, an Assistant in Medicine and Manager of the Biomedical Proteomics Laboratory. Visiting Assistant, and an Adjunct Professor. I have been involved in various types of volunteering including (1) Juvenile Detention Center in Tallahassee, dealing with teens, helping, an active listening, and offering advice and sharing faith with them; (2) A Women pregnancy center, where I offered advice and emotional support for expecting mothers going through difficult, lonely and uncertain period in their lives; (3) Helped several seniors in my church, Kingston, Canada, and Tallahassee by driving them to get groceries and cleaning their houses; (4) Drove a senior to the emergency room in Fort Myers when I noticed symptoms of stroke and stayed with him and wife until discharged; and (5) Haiti Mission Trip with the Nova Chapter, Christian Pharmacist Fellowship International.
Brianna Wood
My name is Brianna Wood and I attended the University of Tampa, where I was inducted into the National Honor Society of Phi Eta Sigma. I then transferred to the University of Connecticut to pursue a Bachelors of Science in Biology. I held numerous leadership positions throughout my college career, including the title of Community Service Director for programs at both the University of Connecticut and the University of Tampa. Other community involvement included tutoring at Nathan Hale Middle School in a Homework Club for underprivileged children, organizing a benefit concert to raise money for individuals undergoing mental health issues, and supervising a community service trip to Mississippi for Hurricane Katrina restoration.