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THE SERVITOR PACIS AWARD RECIPIENTS

1998 - Theodore J. Dubudue, Jr., M.D. and Carlos Reese

Theodore J. Dubuque, Jr., MD, President of CRUDEM since 1994. Born 8 December 1927, he graduated from St. Louis University School of Medicine in 1952 and served in St. Louis University hospitals in both medical and teaching capacities. As a captain in the U.S. Army from 1958-60, he was Chief of Surgery at the U.S. Army Hospital in Fort Harrison, Indiana. From 1962-81 he served as Chief of Surgery at St. Mary’s Health Center. In addition to his role as President of CRUDEM his missionary activities include: Volunteer Surgeon, Project CRUDEM, 1986-87; Member of the Board of Directors of the Malta Clinic, Dominican Republic, 1991-present; Chairman of the Medical Committee, American Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, 1991-present. Married in 1957, he and his wife Carol have five children.

Carlos Reese, Vice-President of CRUDEM. Born 28 April 1927, he served as Vice-President of Huntleigh Securities Corporation, 1984-98; Villa Duchesne School, Trustee, 1973-79; Cardinal Glennon Hospital, Board Member, 1973-89, and as President, 1981-82; Board Member, Thompson Retreat Center 1981-87; Board Member, Jesuit Seminary Aid Society, 1985-90, and as its President, 1988-90; St. Louis Child Abuse Network, 1983-84; President’s Council, St. Louis University, 1986-present; Archdiocese of St. Louis, Investment Committee, 1995-97. Married in 1958, he and his wife Susan have six children.

Project CRUDEM (Center for the Rural Development of Milot), based in Milot, northern Haiti, was begun in 1968 when the people of that region approached the Brothers of the Sacred Heart for assistance in improving conditions in their village. Brother Yves Beausejour was sent as director, enlisting the help of the local population for the vast work ahead of them. Projects included the piping of water into the village, which provided clean water for the first time; the installation of a hydroelectric generator; the construction of roads and bridges; the building of primary schools, a technical high school and a teacher’s junior college, as well as medical dispensaries in Milot and the surrounding communities. Cooperatives were established for the raising of livestock and the production of chocolate and bakery goods.

Dr. Dubuque came into contact with CRUDEM when he made his first visit to the new hospital in 1986. He returned for a period of six months beginning in October of that same year. Funds from family members and the local church in St. Louis aided in equipping the operating room. The first surgery was performed in November. At that time, Mr. Carlos Reese became interested in CRUDEM and, since then, has been the major factor in fund raising as well as vice-president of the CRUDEM Foundation. Dr. Dubuque arranges for physicians and nurses to donate services on a periodic basis and Mr. Reese oversees the financial aspects of the facilities from donations from various sources. The American Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta has recently provided funds for expansion of the hospital.

In 1997 over 18,000 patients were treated at the hospital. A Nutrition Center serves daily meals and provides an educational program, free of charge, to over 100 preschoolers. Another 500 primary school children receive their education under CRUDEM auspices. Presently, medical care is provided by a staff of five Haitian doctors and twenty-five nurses, supplemented by volunteer visits from American and Canadian medical personnel. In the past year alone, there were 97 volunteers. The Daughters of Charity will join the operation in August 1998 to provide additional expertise. The Ministry of Health has designated CRUDEM as a Tier 2 Hospital — that is, a referral center. CRUDEM has been designated as one of the 100 Projects of the Holy Father for the Year of Charity 1999.

For their conscientious and dedicated service to the sick and needy in Haiti, particularly through the assistance offered by Project CRUDEM, the Path to Peace Foundation is pleased to bestow upon Theodore J. Dubuque, Jr., MD and upon Carlos Reese, the title “Servitor Pacis” — Servant of Peace.

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