By Dr. Padmini Murthy
In December 2024, I had the opportunity to visit the Bahamas for a family vacation and had the good fortune of being invited by the First Lady of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, Her Excellency AnnMarie Davis, for a one-on-one meeting. During this meeting, we discussed issues of common interest with regards to women’s health. Her Excellency is dedicated to improving the health of women in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, especially in the areas of climate change and the challenges women face especially with regard to disruption of maternal health services.
Earlier in the year, AMWA had the privilege of partnering with CSR foundation to provide climate resources to communities in need. I helped spearhead that campaign, which lead to the distribution of 2,500 Climate Change Buckets, with 1,250 going to the Bahamas and 1,250 to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Additionally, in another partnership with CSR foundation, AMWA’s Menstrual Equity Project was able to provide 1,000 reusable menstrual products to the country of Suriname through the First Lady of Suriname, H.E. Melissa Santokhi-Seenacherry to help girls and women in under-resourced communities.
These programs have been under the umbrella of the American Women’s Hospitals Service, a program of AMWA since 1917 when AMWA physicians supported the medical needs of war ravaged communities during World War 1.
It’s been an honor to carry on the global health legacy of AWHS!
