MIAMI, September 22, 2008 -- Emilio and Gloria Estefan have made a $25,000 donation to the University of Miami’s fundraising effort aimed at helping storm-weary Haiti.

“Gloria has been on tour in Europe, but following the tragedy unfolding so close to South Florida, we interrupted the concert tour in Spain to direct funds to the University of Miami and Project Medishare,” said Emilio Estefan.  “We want the Haitian community to know that we love and support them during this time of need.”

Over the past month, the people of Haiti have been devastated by the damage caused by four powerful storms.  Last week Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D., senior vice president for medical affairs and dean of the Miller School of Medicine, stood with Miami city leaders and pledged support from the University and Project Medishare.



Project Medishare was founded 13 years ago by Barth Green, M.D., professor and chair of neurological surgery, and Arthur Fournier, M.D., professor of family medicine and associate dean for community health, to provide continuing medical care in the Central Plateau, one of the poorest regions of Haiti.  That outreach has taken on even greater urgency with the recent destruction.

Emilio Estefan said the family chose the University of Miami because they knew from past experience that through Project Medishare their donation would have a direct impact.  This gift follows another noteworthy donation from the Green Family Foundation (www.greenff.org), led by Ambassador Steven Green and Kimberly Green, longtime supporters of the University of Miami. 

“The Estefans’ generous donation is inspiring to those of us who have seen the dire living conditions in Haiti,” said Dr. Barth Green.  “Their gift, along with that of the Greens and other donors, will surely help make a difference.”   

The Estefans are encouraging the South Florida community to contribute to the Haitian relief effort any way they can.  If you want to help, please go to the following website: www6.miami.edu. Put “Haiti Relief Fund” in the field marked “other.”



About the Green Family Foundation
The Green Family Foundation’s (www.greenff.org) mission is to make a positive and meaningful impact in communities both at home and abroad. We provide funding and resources to organizations that support education, global health and community development. GFF empowers underserved communities to fight the cycle of extreme poverty, leading to sustainable programs that improve lives.

About the Miller School of Medicine
The University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, founded in 1952, was the first medical school in the state of Florida.  The Miller School of Medicine is located on the 100-acre University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center complex in Miami.  The medical center includes three University-owned hospitals that make up the University of Miami Health System (UHealth):  University of Miami Hospital, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.  Our three primary affiliated hospitals on the campus include Jackson Memorial Hospital, Holtz Children’s Hospital and the Miami VA Medical Center.  Miller School faculty members conduct more than 1,700 research projects in basic science and clinical care in facilities totaling more than 500,000 square feet of research space.  Along with the M.D. degree, the school offers two specialized B.S./M.D. programs, a combined M.D./Ph.D. program, graduate degrees in nine areas, postdoctoral programs and continuing medical education courses.