Rotary International Director

2007-2008

Barry Rassin

                    Rotary Club of East Nassau

                            Nassau, Bahamas

                        E:  barry@rassin.org 

            Barry was born in London, England but moved to Nassau, Bahamas as an infant.  At ten years old he went to the USA to continue his education from secondary to high school and College.  He got his BBA from the University of Miami and his MBA in Healthcare from the University of Florida.  He worked at The Miami Heart Institute and Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida until he went home to Nassau in 1979 with the goal of bringing modern medicine to the country.  Today he is the President and CEO of Doctors Hospital Health System in Nassau, is the only Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives in his country and continues to challenge the organization to enhance the quality of care provided.

        As a member of The Rotary Club of East Nassau, he learned the value of being a Rotarian. Barry has been a member since 1980 during which time he served his club as a Director, Secretary and then President in 1987-1988.  He continues to be active in training at the club level.  As District Governor in 1991-92 he learned about the greater world of Rotary within the ten countries of the District which flamed the spirit to do more for Rotary International.  As an active member of the District he has been the DG Council Secretary, Polio Plus Chairman for multiple years, and District Trainer for multiple years.  Once the District became a part of Zone 34 and he could participate in Zone training and other activities other opportunities came up that provided him an even wider scope of the Rotary World.  Within the Zone he has served on the Directors Advisory Committee for a number of Directors, and has participated in Zone training for a number of years, from GETS co-chair to Training Coordinator for Zone Institute Training.

        Not limiting his community service to Rotary he has served over the years as Chairman of Project Read, Vice Chairman of Safe Bahamas, Chairman of the Quality Council of The Bahamas, Honorary member of the Essence Club (Training in communication), Honorary President of the Star of the Bahamas Charity Guide and even enjoyed being a judge for the Miss Bahamas Beauty Pageant.

        Although he has served RI in a number of capacities such as Coordinator for Rapid Disaster Relief, Polio Plus, and Health and Hunger, his primary role has been within the area of Rotary Training.  He has served as RI Training Leader for 2002 and 2003 and then RI Training Leaders Seminar Trainer from 2005-07, Chairman for RI Leadership Education, Development and Training for 2005-06, and member of the Action Planning Team for the RI Strategic Goal related to Training in 2005-06.  Barry also has represented the President of RI at a number of District Conferences over the years.

        Barry has received the Service Above Self Award from the Board of Directors of Rotary International and was given the Charlie Braham Achievement Award in Jamaica for his Rotary involvement.  He is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, Major Donor, Benefactor, and Bequest Society member.  He was also given the National Award of Health Hero by the Bahamas Ministry of Health and PAHO

 

Rotary Philosophy

        Rotary has been the biggest influence in Barry's life after his family.  He has found that the more he gives to Rotary the more he can help people and the more he grows as a person.  The fundamental philosophy of Rotary is to work toward World Peace and Understanding and each year Rotarians around the world bring us closer to achieving our goal.  However, the world is still full of conflict that Rotarians must continue to recognize and influence.  Barry believes that Rotary can change the world one person at a time as we all stay focused.