About Us

History

Volunteers from the U.S. administer the organization, raise funds, procure supplies/medicine, and lead medical missions to Haiti annually. We contract for the services of a licensed Haitian physician who hires and supervises the Clinic staff. We also contract with local people to assist in monitoring and oversight.

HDF was incorporated as a general non-for-profit Illinois corporation and received IRS tax-exemption in May 2002.

Board of Directors

President - Dr. De Land
Dr. De Land is an administrator with the Illinois Department of Human Services. Formerly president of Springfield College in Illinois and CEO of the Illinois Community Action Association, he is a trained and licensed medic and radiologic technologist who has worked in Haiti as a volunteer since 1996 and is a co-founder of HDF.

Vice President - Greg A. Richmond
Greg A. Richmond is the President of the National Association of Charter School Authorizers and past Chief Officer for New School Development for the Chicago Public Schools. Formerly a senior staff advisor to the Illinois Attorney General and Bureau of the Budget, he worked as a volunteer with the Missionaries of Charity in Haiti in 2002 and is a co-founder of HDF.

Treasurer - Karl S. Pnazek
Karl S. Pnazek is the Director of Community Assets for People, a community development financial institution serving five counties in central Wisconsin. Previously he was the CEO of CAP Services, a multi-county community action agency serving the same region. He is currently on the Board of St. Michael’s Hospital and on the boards of Forward Community Investments and the Wisconsin Legacy Fund. He is a past member of the board of directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank.

Medical Director - Moise A. Cely, M.D.
Moise A. Cely, M.D. is a licensed physician specializing in pulmonary illness. In addition to his work with HDF, he teaches at a nursing school and has a small private practice. Haitian education, he travels the U.S. annually for continuing education opportunities.