Rhodes Scholar And College Football All-American Myron L. Rolle To Build Free Medical Clinic And Sports Complex In Exuma, Bahamas

Myron studies the statue of the slave leader Pompey, adjacent to the site of the new Medical Clinic. Pompey, as a slave of Lord John Rolle, led an uprising in Exuma in the 1830’s that resulted in permanent benefits for Rolle slaves and their generations

(Exuma, Bahamas) – Rhodes Scholar and College Football All-American Myron L. Rolle and his family on Thursday, July 16, 2009, announced plans to build the Myron L. Rolle Medical Clinic and Sports Complex, in Steventon, Exuma in the Bahamas, where the Rolle family originates.  The Complex will provide free health services to residents of Exuma, as well as a state-of-the-art wellness and training facilities for athletes and visitors to Exuma, Bahamas.
 
The project will be executed in conjunction with the Bahamas Ministry of Health and the Florida State University College of Medicine, based in the United States.  Rolle graduated from Florida State in December 2008 with a pre-med degree and this coming school year, as a Rhodes Scholar, will earn a Masters Degree in Medical Anthropology from Oxford University in England.  He plans to enter the National Football League Draft in 2010 to pursue a professional football career, and following football pursue a career as a medical surgeon.
 
“My family and I are extremely proud to announce the construction of this Medical Clinic and Sports Complex, which will provide much needed medical resources to an area of the world that is near and dear to our hearts,” said Myron Rolle.  “While I was born in the U.S., Bahamas is where my parents, Whitney and Beverly Rolle, and three of my brothers, were born and raised.  I have always thought of the Bahamas as my second home.”
 
A capital campaign is now underway to fund construction of the Myron L. Rolle Medical Clinic and Sports Complex, coordinated through the Myron L. Rolle Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization incorporated in the United States. The clinic will be built in multiple phases, with the first being the main health center facility.
 
In conjunction with that initial phase, a project will begin immediately to build a new Memorial Park adjacent to the clinic site, featuring the statue of Pompey and restoration of an historic jailhouse as a museum.  Pompey, as a slave of Lord John Rolle, led an uprising in Exuma in the 1830’s that resulted in permanent benefits for the Rolle slaves and their generations.
 
“It speaks volumes about the character of Myron Rolle and the Rolle family, that he has come back to Exuma and wants to do his part to see a better day for our people and our future,” said Ivan Ferguson, Senior Deputy Administrator for Exuma, during the Announcement Ceremony.
 
The Florida State University College of Medicine, based in Tallahassee, Florida, is partnering with the Foundation to advise on the project, as well as launch a new initiative through its FSU Cares Program to bring a medical mission to Exuma each year.  During the program, Florida State medical students and doctors will travel to the Bahamas and provide free medical care and supplies to Exumians.  The program will be funded through the Myron L. Rolle Foundation.