The Constanza Medical Mission was founded in 2005 after Deacon Joseph Vitello of St. Jerome Parish in North Weymouth, MA, traveled to the Dominican Republic at the urging of his Diaconate classmate and friend, Deacon Bill Kane. Bill had formed a mission in the town of Cevicos, north of Constanza, in 2000. Joe was touched by the poverty and inadequate healthcare and knew he had to do something. With the help and support of Father Tom Wyndham and the parishioners of St. Jerome Parish, Joe visited the Dominican Republic and recognized that Constanza and the surrounding communities were in dire need of improved medical services. He invited American health care providers to join him on trips to help the people. The Mission has been blessed by two committed Medical Directors, Dr. David Rudolph and Dr. Mark Samuelson, by a strong Board including past Board member and President Glenn Mannke and his wife Margi, and our longtime friend Dr. Saif Haider.
To learn more about Deacon Joe, please click here or on his photo.
Memoriam to Dr. Saif Haider
In 2006, Deacon Joseph Vitello was introduced to a local doctor who was employed by the Ministry of Health and working out of the Tireo UNAP (medical clinic). Dr. Saif Haider was a Pakistani doctor that came to Tireo and for over 15 years blessed the Constanza Medical Mission with his love of the people, incredible evaluation and diagnostic skills and total charm. Through our support of the Tireo Clinic, Dr. Saif was able to care for the people of Tireo and work hand -in-hand with the Board and medical personnel in our semi-annual clinics, but more importantly to provide year-round care and feedback to the CMM on the effectiveness of our programs.
We lost Dr. Saif far too young on November 5, 2021. He has left us all sad, but he also left us all with wonderful memories, and when we think of him we will smile.
