by Danielle Benson
Former Nyack Hospital Surgeon Martha M. MacGuffie (1924-2011) was the first woman to graduate from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University. In 2003, the journal P&S named her to their list of 15 “P&S Graduates who Helped Change the World.” In addition to treating over 50,000 patients during her 50 year career, MacGuffie co-founded the Society for Hospital and Resources Exchange (SHARE) as an international nonprofit organization to promote greater treatment services for AIDS in Africa. Although Dr. MacGuffie is no longer with us, the important work she started continues.
Over the years, SHARE has built medical facilities, organized mobile clinics and annual health care provider delegations including pediatrics, neonatal care, dental and vision care and provided training on AIDS prevention and treatment. The deaths of two of MacGuffie’s children from AIDS because of tainted blood transfusions for Fanconi anemia inspired her work to improve worldwide treatment of the disease. The group has also provided education, social services, health services, and basic necessities to children orphaned by AIDS in Western Kenya.
Piermont resident Usha Wright has continued the work that Dr. MacGuffie began. Wright is an accomplished lawyer, an environmentalist and Fortune 500 retired executive who was born in Kenya herself. “The AIDS epidemic has produced over 1 million orphans in Kenya, and the numbers are rising rapidly,” Wright said. “It is estimated that nearly 30% of the population in Kenya’s Homa Bay County is infected with HIV. SHARE’s orphanage and many other programs were established there in order to provide hope and a future to Kenyan children whose parents have died of AIDS.”
On Mon Sept 25, SHARE holds its 6th annual Dr. Martha MacGuffie charity golf outing at Rockland Country Club, a major fund-raising event for SHARE. The putting contest starts at 9:30a, followed by breakfast and a shotgun start at 11:30a. Cocktails, dinner and silent auction follow the golfing festivities.
For more information, including golf registration and sponsorship/auction opportunities visit www.shareafrica.org.
