Outstanding array of Rotary speakers this month

Norm Noble

On Tuesday, October 7, Dr. Luis W. Lu of the Swagel Wootton Hiatt Eye Center in Mesa will provide a look into “The Eye and Systemic Diseases.”

Dr. Lu graduated from CH Peruvian University, trained in general surgery at HHC Division of Columbia University in Ophthalmology; Fellowship in Oculoplastic and Reconstructive surgery; and Fellowship in Clinical Ophthalmology at Columbia. He has written three textbooks, more than 50 articles, and trained over 100 fellows in complex surgery.

On Tuesday, October 14, one student from Chandler and three students from Hamilton High School who were sponsored by the Sun Lakes Rotary Club will present what they learned from the one-week World Affairs Conference that they attended in Wisconsin this past June.

The World Affairs Seminar is a unique interactive educational program for high school students. The week-long experience provided an opportunity for international students from a variety of backgrounds to discuss issues in a non-threatening environment. They experienced new and different ideas and viewpoints brought forward both by their colleagues and by world renowned experts. Critical thinking, negotiation skills and the process of learning about new friends from around the world were all part of this incredible experience.

This year’s topic was World Health: Issues and Responsibilities. The week-long experience provided an opportunity for international students from a variety of backgrounds to discuss issues in a non-threatening environment. They experienced new and different ideas and viewpoints brought forward both by their colleagues and by world renowned experts.

On Tuesday, October 21, the club meeting will focus on Rotary’s global commitment to a polio free world – Rotary’s top priority. Rotarians have mobilized by the hundreds of thousands to ensure that children are immunized against this crippling disease and that surveillance is strong despite the poor infrastructure, extreme poverty and civil strife of many countries. Since Rotary’s PolioPlus® inception in 1985, more than two billion children have received oral polio vaccine. To date, 209 countries, territories and areas around the world are polio-free. As of January 2012, India was declared polio free for the first time in history, leaving just Pakistan, Nigeria and Afghanistan with endemic polio. As of June 2011, Rotary has committed more than U.S. $850 million to global polio eradication. Rotary has received $355 million in challenge grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Rotary committed to raising $200 million by June 30, 2012 and met that goal by January 2012. This represents another $555 million toward polio eradication.

On Tuesday, October 28, John Pennypacker, Governor of Rotary District 5510, will visit the club to present a “State of the District” report – what is being achieved by Rotary throughout Arizona.

The Rotary Club of Sun Lakes meets for breakfast every Tuesday morning at 6:30 a.m. in the Oakwood Country Club Ballroom. The meetings start at 7:00 a.m. and end promptly at 8:00 a.m. Cost of breakfast is $12. To make reservations for any meeting, contact Rotarian Don Prestin at 480-802-0439.