Our Mission:
"Our mission is to improve the lives of those living with diabetes and hypertension and prevent related complications."
Our History
The Diabetic and Hypertension Relief Center (DHRC) is a fairly new organization established on January 1, 2015. DHRC was established as a responsive, preventative, and curative healthcare system serving the poorest rural section of Petit-Goave, Haiti with a mission to improve the lives of those who do not have access to hospitals or healthcare facilities and cannot afford the significant costs associated with healthcare. The major health issues in Petit-Goave include eye disease, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. Most individuals have to walk a long distance, approximately 4 to 10 miles, or more, to reach a healthcare facility. Many times, these individuals would die by the time they make it to the nearest hospital. This is the driving force behind the existence of DHRC, a true manifestation of Dina P. Dufort’s passion for people.
After the devastating earthquake that took the lives of more than two hundred and twenty thousand people, and affected the lives of approximately three million Haitians, Dina Dufort, with the support of Lemour Dufort, saw the opportunity to express their passion to help and care for those who need it the most. On January 1, 2015, Dina P. Dufort, Lemour Dufort, and Edouard M. Julien gathered in Norwich, Connecticut, and put a plan together to open the Diabetic and Hypertension Relief Center. It is noted that there has been significant help from different parts of the world, supporting the families directly affected by the tragic earthquake. DHRC’s aim is an extension of such support with a focus on those areas where healthcare is a scarcity. DHRC’s aim is to provide outpatient care and education to the men, women, and children of Petit-Goave.
Since its conception, DHRC has facilitated healthcare screenings and services via pop-up clinics in collaboration with community partners, like HHC, UCFS, TVCCA, and more, in the Greater Norwich-New London, CT area. Concurrently, DHRC conducted an annual medical mission week in Petit-Goave each year until 2019. These pop-up clinics soon made it evident that there was a critical need for a permanent clinic. In 2020, DHRC decided to build a permanent clinic. This clinic, funded to date by individual donor contributions, is scheduled to be completed in 2024.
Dina Dufort, President
Dina Dufort is a Registered Nurse, BSN, who has organized multiple health wellness activities in the Norwich community for many groups, including the Haitian population, for more than four years sponsored by Backus Hospital and other organized groups. She graduated with an RN degree in 2008 from Becker College and has been in practice since. In 2014, she obtained her bachelor’s degree in nursing at the University of Hartford, with a Magna Cum Laude. She was also in the Dean’s List. She has served the community by holding events that include, but not limited to: breast health education, diabetic and blood pressure clinic, and education about nutrition, cholesterol and bone density. She also volunteers periodically for Haitian Creole translation and Fresh Air immigrant hosting program.
In addition to the donation of her medical expertise, she is a philanthropist who has donated monetarily. She has donated clothing, medications, and other articles to people in need in Haiti after the Earthquake.
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Lemour Dufort,
Chief Executive Officer and Director
Lemour Dufort worked as a professor in Haiti where he taught plumbing at Institute Professional Apostolic de Petit-Goave. He also attended Three Rivers Community College where graduated as a Pharmacy Technician. He has served as treasurer for ten years for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Mr. Dufort has served as Private Investigator for Justice Department in Haiti.
Edouard M. Julien, Chief Financial Officer
Edouard M. Julien graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting in 2005. Subsequently, he became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in 2008. He is currently an active licensed CPA under the state of Georgia. Currently, he works as a Regional Manager for a private auditing firm where he oversees the operation of a district office with a portfolio of over 50 clients. He also serves as Adjunct Professor at Washing Adventist University where he teaches Corporate Taxation.
Board Members
United States:
Dina P. Dufort - RN, BSN
Founder/President/Head Nurse
Lemour Dufort - Accountant
Founder/Chief Executive Officer/Director
Shenider Dufort - RN, BSN, Student Nurse Midwife
Founder/Women Services
Edouard M. Julien - CPA, CGMA
Founder/Chief Financial Official
Members:
Joel Polo - Pastor, Ph. D
Marketing
Alice Facente - RN, BSN, MSN
Lena Dufort
"Youngest Member"
Allen Dufort
Computer Technician
Alexander Dufort
Translator
Donny Polo, MD
Medical Director
Native of Petit-Goave, Haiti
Milord Dufort
Former Congressman/Director
Native of Petit-Goave, Haiti
Saintyl Dorvil
Attorney
Native of Petit-Goave, Haiti
Eddy Polneus
Communication Director
Astwan Jean
Attorney
Native of Petit-Goave, Haiti
Hervenise P. Benoit
Nurse
Native of Petit-Goave, Haiti
Esther Fontain
Nurse
Native of Petit-Goave, Haiti
Haynden Gilles
Pharmacy
Rachael Wright
Ruth Desouza