Myron Rolle, Former FSU Safety, Unveils Plans to Build Clinic and Sports Complex in Exuma, Bahamas

While Martellus Bennett is touting the stereotypical "Black Olympics," former Florida State University safety Myron Rolle is turning his dreams into reality. Rolle and his family have announced plans to build the Myron L. Rolle Medical Clinic and Sports Complex in Steventon, Exuma in the Bahamas, where his parents are from. According to media reports, the complex will provide free health services to the residents of Exuma and a state-of-the-art wellness and training facilities for athletes and visitors to Exuma. Rolle, who plans to enter the NFL Draft in 2010 to pursue a professional football career, will leave for England shortly, where he'll earn a Masters degree in Medical Anthropology from Oxford University. His actions are admirable and should be applauded. If there were more people who chose to give back to their communities, then the world would be in a better shape.

"It's really pertinent, because the people of Exuma, if there is something really serious happening to them, medically, at night especially, and they have to catch a flight to Nassau, the main island, it's very inconvenient, and a lot of people can't afford that flight," Rolle said, in a telephone interview this afternoon after his ceremony. "A lot of times that may be the difference between their life being saved or not, that time gap. So I think this is going to be a special project."

There are only two doctors on the island right now, and Rolle said he has had a vision to build a hospital or clinic in the area since he was much younger. There's still some red tape he has to go through, but expects the dream to be realized in the next two or three years. The first priority is the clinic, and then they'll start on an eight-lane track with a field turf interior. There will also be a fitness alumni center adjacent to the clinic.

"That's pretty much so if I want to come or some of my NFL buddies want to come and work out in Exuma, it's another option, another alternative for the high school and junior high kids who run track," he said. "It's pretty exciting. Track is definitely a big sport in the Bahamas. There are a lot of young athletes who are doing very well and succeeding in Exuma, so this is another arena for them to do that."

He's already been guaranteed five acres of land, and has a lot of support from the island administrator. 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. During the program, FSU 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. Source: ESPN

I wish more of our African American men and women could take a page out of his book. "I didn't feel I needed a lot of capital as far as money is concerned to get any of this started. All I needed was a big heart, a passion, motivation and drive, and the right people around me," he said. That pretty much sums it all up. If each person took up a cause that they believe in, whether it is to help an at-risk child to read, or to volunteer at a battered-women's shelter, or to be a mentor to a young boy or girl for example, the results would be beyond our wildest imagination. Myron Rolle is the ultimate servant-leader and he is worthy of being emulated -- a true role model in every sense of the word!

"Good Hands" Biopic About Dr. Benjamin S. Carter, World-Renowned African American Neurosurgeon, Airs on TNT

Dr. Benjamin S. Carson broke down barriers in the medical world, one at a time. He, like President Barack Obama, prove that you can make it despite any odds against you. Years ago, Ben Carson was a young boy with a violent temper, who did the unthinkable. He attacked his own mother with a hammer. He stabbed a schoolmate over a squabble about which radio station to listen to. Thankfully the knife blade hit a belt buckle. His mother, Sonya Carson, was instrumental in her son's success and she should be applauded and honored. She saw greatness in her son when he didn't see it. Dr. Carson was raised in Detroit, majored in psychology at Yale University and attended medical school at the University of Michigan, where he studied neurosurgery. Today Dr. Carson is a world-renowned neurosurgeon and the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Children's Center.

Dr. Carson made medical history in 1987 by performing the first successful surgery that separated Patrick and Benjamin Binder, twins conjoined at the back of the head. The boys shared the superior sagittal vein, which is the major vein that drains blood from the brain. If this surgery was performed, the twins would have been bedridden for the rest of their livers. He also performed surgery on conjoined twins Luka and Joseph Banda, who were born in Zambia in 1997. The Banda babies were joined on the top of their heads and facing opposite directions. They were separated in South Africa by a team of 20 doctors and nurses led by Dr. Carson. He also became known for his expertise in pediatric brain tumors and methods of controlling seizures. In 2008, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, this country's highest civilian honor.

He is a role model in every sense of the word. He is also a servant-leader. Dr. Carson wants to continue educational efforts and find ways to reform the health care system when he retires. He wants to continue educational efforts and find ways to reform the health care system when he retires. He is on a mission to spread the word that education and hard work are essential to succeed in life. He and his wife, Candy, started a Carson Scholars foundation to help children with strong academics and humanitarian qualities to pay for college.

"I have at least 100,000 letters from kids and adults from around the world ... telling me how it changed their lives," Carson said. Their tales of transformations and redemption inspire him to keep talking about educational empowerment and overcoming adversity, he said.

An obstacle is a hurdle, and "you jump over it," Carson said. "Every time you see a hurdle, you jump over it, and it strengthens you for the next one. And if that's the case, you lead a victorious life, because whatever comes before you, you know you're going to get around it." Source: CNN

I hope you watched TNT's made-for-TV movie, "Gifted Hands," about Dr. Carson's life. The biopic stars Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding Jr. as Dr. Carson. I am sure that it will be aired again on TNT. He is living proof of the value of hard work, perseverance, discipline, ambition and a solid education are paramount in attaining your goals and making it. He is a trailblazer and should be honored. Dr. Carson, I salute you! A mind is indeed a terrible thing to waste. We have to continue to push our children to reach for the stars.

"Good Hands" Biopic About Dr. Benjamin S. Carter, World-Renowned African American Neurosurgeon, Airs on TNT

Dr. Benjamin S. Carson broke down barriers in the medical world, one at a time. He, like President Barack Obama, prove that you can make it despite any odds against you. Years ago, Ben Carson was a young boy with a violent temper, who did the unthinkable. He attacked his own mother with a hammer. He stabbed a schoolmate over a squabble about which radio station to listen to. Thankfully the knife blade hit a belt buckle. His mother, Sonya Carson, was instrumental in her son's success and she should be applauded and honored. She saw greatness in her son when he didn't see it. Dr. Carson was raised in Detroit, majored in psychology at Yale University and attended medical school at the University of Michigan, where he studied neurosurgery. Today Dr. Carson is a world-renowned neurosurgeon and the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Children's Center.

Dr. Carson made medical history in 1987 by performing the first successful surgery that separated Patrick and Benjamin Binder, twins conjoined at the back of the head. The boys shared the superior sagittal vein, which is the major vein that drains blood from the brain. If this surgery was performed, the twins would have been bedridden for the rest of their livers. He also performed surgery on conjoined twins Luka and Joseph Banda, who were born in Zambia in 1997. The Banda babies were joined on the top of their heads and facing opposite directions. They were separated in South Africa by a team of 20 doctors and nurses led by Dr. Carson. He also became known for his expertise in pediatric brain tumors and methods of controlling seizures. In 2008, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, this country's highest civilian honor.

He is a role model in every sense of the word. He is also a servant-leader. Dr. Carson wants to continue educational efforts and find ways to reform the health care system when he retires. He wants to continue educational efforts and find ways to reform the health care system when he retires. He is on a mission to spread the word that education and hard work are essential to succeed in life. He and his wife, Candy, started a Carson Scholars foundation to help children with strong academics and humanitarian qualities to pay for college.

"I have at least 100,000 letters from kids and adults from around the world ... telling me how it changed their lives," Carson said. Their tales of transformations and redemption inspire him to keep talking about educational empowerment and overcoming adversity, he said.

An obstacle is a hurdle, and "you jump over it," Carson said. "Every time you see a hurdle, you jump over it, and it strengthens you for the next one. And if that's the case, you lead a victorious life, because whatever comes before you, you know you're going to get around it." Source: CNN

I hope you watched TNT's made-for-TV movie, "Gifted Hands," about Dr. Carson's life. The biopic stars Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding Jr. as Dr. Carson. I am sure that it will be aired again on TNT. He is living proof of the value of hard work, perseverance, discipline, ambition and a solid education are paramount in attaining your goals and making it. He is a trailblazer and should be honored. Dr. Carson, I salute you! A mind is indeed a terrible thing to waste. We have to continue to push our children to reach for the stars.