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Haiti Ambassador-at-Large Dr. Rudolph Moise Talks Upcoming North Miami Hall of Fame Ceremony, Giving Back
by Mellissa Thomas
Kevin Spacey once said, “If you’re lucky enough to do well, it’s your responsibility to send the elevator back down,” and Haiti Ambassador-at-Large Dr. Rudolph Moise has been living it for years now. The multi-talented physician, who will be inducted in the North Miami Hall of Fame Friday, May 8, 2015, loves North Miami’s Haitian community and has been involved in it since he first moved here from Chicago, and his tireless work continues.
Dr. Moise, who was the first black doctor to open a medical practice in North Miami, has been an anchor in the community for thirty years now. Per. Dr. Moise, many of the doctors in North Miami have worked in his office in some capacity before going on to start their own practices. With memberships in the Haitian Chamber of Commerce and Haitian Medical Association as well as other organizations, he has fostered relationships with his beloved people and used his influence to keep the community healthy. “I’ve been involved in radio station[s],” he said in an interview with FNN News Wednesday. “So I inform the community about proper healthcare and how to prevent illnesses, and [tell them to] follow their doctor’s directions and why.”
Source: U.S. Air Force.
However, there is more to Dr. Moise than his successful multiple-location medical practice. The retired U.S. Air Force Colonel is also an attorney, a businessman—MBA and all, and also an actor. Of the many causes he works toward, there is one he loves most. “I talk to students…in a career day speech,” he explained. “I teach them to respect their teachers, and that education is power.”
He uses his own life as an example during his talks with young people. “I came from Haiti at seventeen, and couldn’t speak English,” he shared with FNN News. “When I would tell people I wanted to get into medicine, they would laugh at me.” He worked hard and learned English, got his M.D. degree first, next his MBA degree, then his J.D. degree as an attorney, and eventually joined the U.S. Air Force. He tells his audiences, “If I could do all that, you could at least do one degree.” He encourages truant students to return to their classes and tells the whole audience to be the best they can be, teaching them to be self-sufficient.
He also knows the benefits of investing directly in a person’s life. He recalled a young man who came into his office requesting a $5,000 scholarship to attend medical school. Dr. Moise told the young man he could not provide the full amount, but furnished him with $1,000 and raised the remainder from his friends. “He took the money and then I didn’t hear from him again, so I thought he ran off with it,” he confessed. However, the young man returned to his office several years later having completed his degree, and is a board certified psychiatrist. Dr. Moise was proud of him and congratulated him, but asked him to make sure he helped someone just as he had helped him. “There’s a reason why you’re here,” he passionately stated after sharing the story, “and the more people you help, the more value you add to your life.”
Dr. Rudolph Moise with the Fugees’ Pras Michel at the “Sweet Micky for President” documentary premiere at the 2015 Miami International Film Festival. Source: J. Willie David III/Florida National News.
As for future plans, Dr. Moise already has major plans underway in his homeland. The two projects will, according to him, take a lot of time to implement because of their sheer logistical and economic scope, and he is currently speaking with investors; but he is optimistic about his nation’s future, and is excited to be instrumental in its development.
The May 8th North Miami Hall of Fame induction ceremony holds a two-fold significance for Dr. Moise: not only is he honored to receive the distinction, but it “coincides with the kickoff of Haiti Heritage Month,” he noted.
The occasion serves as an apropos nod for the good doctor’s history of giving back and his love for his community.
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WINTER PARK, Fla. (Florida National News) – Mister Rogers’ Week of Kindness, inspired by the children’s TV host and icon, comes to Orlando in March 2023. This week-long series of events was announced today at the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation in Winter Park.
“Fred McFeely Rogers devoted his entire life to reminding us of some of the most important ideas of what it means to be human among humans: love, respect and kindness,” explained Buena Vista Events & Management President & CEO Rich Bradley. “Many of us find that nearly 20 years after Fred’s passing, it is important to focus on his teachings once again, perhaps now more than ever. This is a week to re-engage with his massive body of work with some folks, and to introduce his teachings to others.”
Mister Rogers’ Week of Kindness begins March 20, 2023, the date which would have been Fred’s 95th birthday, and concludes on Saturday, March 26 with the Red Sweater Soiree, a community dinner to recognize ten ordinary members of the community who inspire and exemplify the affinity that Fred Rogers had for showing kindness to our “Neighbors”.
Mister Rogers Week of Kindness coming March 20-26, 2023. Photo Credit: Mike Brodsky (Florida National News)
Activities planned for the week will include early childhood education activities and faculty training, as well as events open to the public.
“The events will be offered free or at low cost,” continued Bradley. “This week-long celebration is not a series of fundraisers, but rather about once again remembering and sharing some of the great work that Fred Rogers created, not only in early childhood education, but in reminding us that we are all part of one big ‘neighborhood’. Fred taught us the importance of accepting our Neighbors just the way they are and engaging in kindness with our interactions. I can’t think of another period in my lifetime where we needed to reflect on those messages again more than today.”
“There are three ways to ultimate success,” Fred Rogers was once quoted as saying. “The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind. Imagine what our neighborhoods would be like if each of us offered, as a matter of course, just one kind word to another person.”
Many of the activities of Mister Rogers’ Week of Kindness will be attended by members of the cast and crew of Mister Rogers Neighborhood, which ran from 1968 – 1975, and again from 1979 – 2001. David Newell, known as “Mr. McFeely,” the “Speedy Delivery” man, appeared at today’s media conference via video, and looks forward to visiting Central Florida next March.
David Newell, “Mr. McFeely.” Photo Credit: Mike Brodsky (Florida National News)
Mister Rogers’ Week of Kindness is supported by the McFeely-Rogers Foundation, the Fred Rogers Institute, and Fred Rogers Productions. Details regarding the specific activities and venues will be released over the next few weeks.
For more information on the events, visit https://www.BuenaVistaEvents.com or https://www.MisterRogersWeekofKindness.com.
