Bobby Kalotee Main Speaker At White Coat Ceremony.
By: Kingsley Emmanuel
BELIEVE in yourself and you will succeed. This was the message conveyed to the incoming students of Spartan Health Sciences University School of Medicine by one of the trustees who was recently honoured with an honorary doctorate degree in Philosophy by the school.
Dr. Bobby K. Kalotee, chairman and founder of the international organization, ”Friends for Good Health” was honoured at the school’s white coat ceremony which was held last Saturday, when 36 Basic Sciences students and 12 pre-medical students were formally enrolled.
This is the first time the school has honoured someone in such a way.
“Friends for Good Health” comprises qualified and experienced doctors who provide their service around the world free of charge. The organization is based in New York.
The next goal of the organization, according to Kalotee, is to assist the Caribbean.
In his keynote address to the students, he said he had no formal schooling and highlighted some of the harrowing experiences which he had to endure in order to achieve his goal as a successful businessman.
“I had no formal education. I got my education from my parents and society. Everyone was my teacher. I believe you can learn something from everyone,” Kalotee said.
He added that a lack of formal education did not prevent him from achieving his goals.
According to the businessman, who owns a real estate company, he was told by some of his relatives and friends that he would not be anybody without a formal education, but he proved them wrong.
Kalotee said the services which his organization is offering, has changed the lives of many people around the world.
“Every year we take doctors from different countries to treat people. We provide them with medicine for free,” he said.
According to him, the doctors in his organization who are all volunteers have a love for humanity and take pleasure in assisting people in need of health care.
“The last time we went to San Salvador and treated over 7,000 people. We help our sisters and brothers who do not have the opportunity to visit a doctor,” he said.
He added: “We are now going to Colombia, and Morocco, and maybe Grenada to help the Caribbean. Our next goal is to do something for the Caribbean, all of them, not one.”
He called on the students to stay focussed and not be daunted by the challenges which they will face as they take the arduous journey into the medical field.
Kalotee said he was committed in helping Spartan in order to make it a bêtter place.
President of the school, Dr. A. C. Rao described Kalotee as a caring, loving and kind individual, who was always willing to help, regardless of the situation.