Spaugh Dameron Tenny is thrilled to send two more passionate physicians to Haiti through our GOtoGROW scholarship. Dr. Kendra Richardson and Dr. Mike Fruscione are our fourth and fifth GOtoGROW scholarship winners.
GOtoGROW is a scholarship program created through a partnership between Spaugh Dameron Tenny, LLC and Bless Back Worldwide, to send physicians and dentists on week long medical trips to Haiti and Nicaragua, the two poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere.
On October 13th, Dr. Richardson and Dr. Fruscione will join the Bless Back Worldwide team and travel to the village of Thozin in Grand-Goâve, Haiti and use their talents to treat Haitian patients in a community clinic.
Prior to becoming Dr. Mike Fruscione, the General Surgery Resident Physician made a career in Mergers and Acquisitions Investment Banking in New York City. Today, he is a resident at Carolinas Medical Center in the Charlotte area.
Dr. Fruscione has a passion for giving back to his community and has an extensive volunteering background. During his residency, he has spent one month on a mission trip in Peru where he says, "I changed roles on a daily basis from making home calls by foot through neighboring villages to delivering babies in an OB clinic, suturing lacerations in the surgery clinic, playing with children at a local orphanage and helping build a roof for a school. I find the various roles I may play as a provider to be exciting as well as a constant learning experience." Prior to medical school, Dr. Fruscione spent 10 years as a volunteer teacher to inner city teens in New York City. During his time in New York, he also raised funds for Fresh Youth Initiatives prepared meals for the homeless through the Bowery Mission and God's Love We Deliver. During his residency at Carolinas Medical Center, the Surgery Resident has continued mastering his cooking talents by preparing delicious pasta dinners for their patients at the Hospitality House.
Dr. Fruscione expressed his excitement for his trip to Haiti saying, "For the providers, these mission trips offer a fresh perspective on the global needs of patients, and reinforcement of our calling to serve those who are either unable to care for themselves or lack access to the appropriate level of care."
When he's not learning to become a Surgeon or volunteering, Dr. Fruscione enjoys marathon running, rebuilding classic cars, cooking, spending time with his wife and daughter; along with their two pugs.
Dr. Kendra Richardson is currently a Family Medicine Physician at CaroMont Health, in the Lake Wylie, SC area. Her practice is right outside of Charlotte, only a few miles from the South Carolina-North Carolina border. She treats patients in all stages of life from birth to geriatrics and she says, "I love that my field is so versatile and diverse. Having many skill sets as a Family Physician allows me to play an integral part in any situation and medical setting. "
Like her fellow GOtoGROW winners, she has a passion for giving back to her community. Dr. Richardson has participated in many volunteer projects and has volunteered her talents by making brochures that discuss preventative measures for teens, speaking on panels, as well as obtaining vitals and interpreting important urgent laboratory data. Dr. Richardson said, "2006 was my first mission trip to Johannesburg, South Africa. I participated in an alternative spring break trip with my college. The program we initiated was called RACE: Reaching African Children Educationally. We provided educational materials and support for the community."
Dr. Richardson's passion to serve in Haiti sparks from her perspective on public health. She said, “Developing countries are at a disadvantage given lack of access to quality healthcare. Public health education plays a pivotal role in closing the gap to many health disparities. Many of the conditions that stricken the health of developing countries can be prevented with proper education and access to primary care.”
Bless Back continues to be a grass-roots, volunteer run organization. Through targeted investments of talents and resources, they train and empower local leaders to bring transformation to their communities from within. The passion of 800 + Bless Back volunteers, who support their work through funding, project planning, and in-country service, is the lifeblood their organization.
We have already chosen our five GOtoGROW winners for 2018, but don't worry! There will be multiple Bless Back teams going to Haiti in 2019, beginning in January. We are now accepting applications for the upcoming year. The GOtoGROW scholarship will cover your airfare, food, and lodging. Click the button to apply for a life changing experience.
Molly was the marketing director at SDT from October 2017 through November 2020. She is passionate about connecting with people, digital marketing, and serving her community.
