My name is Adriana Medrano, and I am a first-generation, Mexican-American student at Texas A&M International University. I am passionately pursuing a career as an Obstetrician/Gynecologist, driven by my commitment to bring quality medical care to underserved areas. When I learned about the opportunity to contribute to addressing the pressing need for medical resources and care, I eagerly embraced it as a crucial step in my journey toward becoming a healthcare professional.

My commitment extends beyond personal achievement. To enhance health equity and elevate health outcomes in my community, I intend to leverage my combined BA and MD degrees to create and facilitate novel academic and professional development opportunities for local healthcare experts and humanitarian aid workers in Laredo. By doing so, I aim to bolster our community's access to advanced healthcare resources and practices.

Furthermore, my training and experiences will empower me to introduce fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to healthcare delivery in Laredo. My goal is to drive the transformation of our healthcare system into one that is culturally sensitive and responsive, providing every resident with the high-quality care they deserve.

Ana Ramos is a first-generation Mexican-American senior at Texas A&M International University pursuing a bachelor's degree in biology and building a foundation for medical school. In my second year at TAMIU, I got accepted into the Undergraduate Accelerated Master's Program (4+1) of Biomedical Informatics to earn a graduate certificate from the UTHealth School of Biomedical Informatics in Houston, Texas. I plan to use my bachelor's degree from my university to go to medical school and pursue a career as a pediatrician. My ultimate goal as a health professional is to serve my community and eventually open up affiliations with other medical schools so that Laredo can have more residency programs and build more doctors. 

Recently, I was granted a remarkable opportunity that has fulfilled one of my dreams. Selected as a recipient of the Rotary District 5930 Costa Rica International Medical Brigade Experience, supported by the esteemed Laredo Rotary Club, I embarked on a journey that surpassed my expectations. This experience allowed me to immerse myself in the vibrant culture of Costa Rica, as I dedicated my time and efforts as a volunteer. What struck me profoundly was the genuine embrace of the communities we assisted; I felt welcomed as one of their own. This led to the formation of meaningful relationships, enabling me to integrate into their lives and experiences rather than functioning as an outsider. This approach resonates deeply with the principles of sustainable development, amplifying the significance of the work we undertook. The Rotary Club's generosity in affording me the chance to step beyond my familiar boundaries and make a tangible impact in Alajuela, Costa Rica, is an opportunity for which I am profoundly grateful

Monthly Board Meeting - All club members are welcome to attend - Attending will count as a make-up.

Annual RotaRun sponsored by Next Generation Rotary club.  All members welcome to participate.

This Coalition was established in 2019 as a result of Dr. Richard Chamberlain’s vision to reduce suicide rates in the community of Laredo. The mission of the Laredo Suicide Awareness and Prevention Coalition is to create awareness about services and resources available to individuals experiencing a crisis and to diminish the rates of suicide by a) Engaging with the community b) Strengthening referral pathways c) Identifying training opportunities/resources d) Reviewing data to identify target suicide risk age group/areas e) Promoting the “988” and f) Conducting other activities as identified by the coalition. The membership includes representatives from the Area Health Education Center; Border Region Behavioral Health Center; Casa de Misericordia; City of Laredo Health Department, Human Resources Department, Fire Department, Police Department; Laredo Community College; Laredo Independent School District; Mercy Ministries; PILLAR; SCAN; Texas A&M International University; Texas Department of State Health Service Office of Border Public HMEealth; United Independent School District; and numerous caring individuals from all walks of life. The 2023 year-long campaign started in March 2023 and since then, every Friday of each month the coalition members wear teal/purple or “You Are Not Alone” buttons or T-shirts to create awareness in the community about resources available for everyone dealing with a crisis or contemplating suicide. The 988 is a national number that can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a bilingual service available to everyone in the United States.

The Laredo Daybreak Rotary club officers and board members will meet with the district governor, Luis Cavazos.

David Kash Vasquez is a seasoned marketing veteran with over 2 decades of experience in traditional media, branding, and digital marketing. Currently, he serves as the Director of Communications and Public Affairs for Gateway Community Health Center, a federally qualified health center dedicated to serving the communities of Webb, Zapata, and Jim Hogg Counties with high-quality medical, dental, and behavioral healthcare.
In this role, David utilizes his expertise in marketing and communication to effectively promote and raise awareness about Gateway Community Health Center's services and initiatives. His strategic approach and deep understanding of the healthcare industry contribute to the center's mission of providing comprehensive, accessible, and quality healthcare to the tri-counties.  Alongside his role at Gateway, David is the owner of Grow Laredo, a reputable digital marketing agency established in 2009 assisting numerous businesses in achieving their marketing goals and establishing a strong online presence.
Throughout his career, David has held multiple roles within various organizations, allowing him to gain a diverse skill set and invaluable insights in business development, finance, education, renewable energy, and healthcare. His expertise includes digital marketing, public speaking, website development, search engine optimization, social media strategizing, lead generation, and e-commerce.
Outside of work, David actively contributes to his community. He serves as the President of the Downtown Laredo Business Association, a 501c3 organization dedicated to the revitalization and economic development of downtown Laredo, and organizes multiple festivals throughout the year to promote local businesses. He is also a licensed Texas Realtor® where he combines his passion for real estate with his business acumen.
He will celebrate 23 years of marriage to his wife Tracy this August and they are parents to Genesis, David II, and Damien.

Monthly Board Meeting - All Club members are welcome to attend - attending will count as a make-up

This week's speaker will be Douglas (Doug) M. Alford giving a classification talk.

Click below for more details

https://rotary5930.org/Stories/one-summit-working-together

http://www.crsadmin.com/EventPortal/Registrations/PublicFill/EventPublicFill.aspx?evtid=0afcedde-e3da-494a-a6ed-94368f3e6051

Pints for Polio is a fundraising and fellowship event organized by the Rotary Clubs benefiting the Rotary International End Polio Campaign.  Laredo Daybreak Rotary Club will be hosting this event.  All Rotary club members/families/friends are welcome!

A sign in will be held and serve as a make-up for members that may need one.

Fidel Santos, a proud native of Laredo, embarked on a remarkable journey that led him through a distinguished career, numerous civic engagements, and an unwavering commitment to heritage and community. Graduating from St. Joseph's Academy and the University of Texas in Austin, Fidel earned his stripes as a registered Engineer in the State of Texas, with a notable affiliation with the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE). His professional legacy includes a substantial collection of technical papers, a testament to his expertise in the Exploration and Production sector of the Oil and Gas Industry, to which he devoted an impressive 43 years. Beyond his professional life, Fidel's dedication to community service shone through. He served as both a member and president of the American Petroleum Institute Border Chapter (API) and presided over the Gateway Rotary Club as its president. His contributions extended to the United Way of Laredo where he served as a board member. Fidel's involvement with the Granaderos Y Damas de Galvez Chapter has been a significant part of his life for several years. His leadership as the Governor General oversaw the establishment of three new chapters, namely La Luisana, the Macharaviaya, Spain Chapter, and the Laredo Chapter. Presently, he continues to serve as the Governor of the Laredo Chapter, contributing to the organization's mission. As a seventh-generation Texan, Fidel holds a unique position as a board member of the 1718 San Antonio Founding Families and Descendants, preserving and celebrating the rich history of the region. His active participation in various Hispanic organizations demonstrates his commitment to heritage and culture. Fidel's family roots are deeply embedded in Texas history, with Judge Alberto Santos and Hortencia Ofilia Guzman Santos as his parents. Maternally, his ancestors were pioneering figures in Starr and Cameron Counties, while his paternal lineage connects to early Texas explorers such as Capitan Diego Ramon and Alferez Fernando del Bosque. Fidel's personal life reflects his deep connection to heritage, as he is married to Juanita Garza Santos, herself a descendant of pioneer Texas families. Together, they share the joy of parenthood with their son Polo (Melissa) and two daughters, Mariana (Eric) and Teresa (Kevin), alongside five beloved granddaughters. The family's commitment to preserving their heritage extends to various organizations, including the Villa de San Agustin de Laredo, DRT, CRT, as well as Melissa (Polo's wife), Carmen Sandoval, and Ofilia Chapa, Fidel's sisters. Looking to the future, Fidel's passion for heritage and community service drives his aspiration to organize an SRT Chapter in Laredo, ensuring the preservation of Texas history continues for generations to come. His hobbies, ranging from woodworking to genealogy, and digitizing family photographs, embody his deep appreciation for preserving and sharing his cultural legacy

Ed Ramirez, Jr., our Foundation Chair will be conducting the PH raffle.  Ed will also provide a brief overview of the Foundation and the process for transforming gifts into projects that have changed lives both close to home and around the world.
November is the time to celebrate the wonderful work of The Rotary Foundation and serves as a time to reflect on the Foundation-sponsored programs we support and on how each of us can contribute to making sure these programs continue.  Most of us know of the good work that the Foundation accomplishes and where the money came from for the matching grants that we had received to support our Club's projects, ranging from here in Laredo to the world.  As an important fringe benefit, much of the funding to administer the Foundation comes from interest earned on donated funds held for three years before those monies were used for grants, which resulted in a very low expense ratio and earned top ratings among the nation's foundations.

Dr. David Gibson is a seasoned Chiropractor.  He started Gibson Chiropractic in 1995 continuing the practice of Dr. John H’Lavacic who opened the practice in 1949.

Dr Gibson was born and raised in southern Nevada. He spent some time in Spain and later attended UNLV (University of Nevada Las Vegas)and Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport IA.  While studying at Palmer, Dr Gibson worked in the physical diagnosis department helping to train other students.  For several years Dr. Gibson served as the Texas Palmer Alumni president.

Rey has a B.A. in Psychology and English from the University of Texas at Austin and earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration and Public Policy from American University in Washington, D.C.  He has worked in psychiatric clinical research for over 19 years. He is currently the Director of Operations for Evolution Research Group, LLC.  Rey's focus is implementing processes and procedures for inpatient psychiatry trials.  

Rey has also worked with several non-profit organizations that advocate for mental healthcare, veteran assistance, and the homeless. Rey was born and raised in Laredo, Texas. He is currently a member of the Laredo Daybreak Rotary Club and the Economic Development Advisory Committee for the City of Laredo.

Rey returned to Laredo in 2019.  He and his family own a local restaurant, Rocha's Bar and Grill, located at 6501 Arena Blvd. They will soon be opening a new speakeasy and rooftop bar.  Fun Fact: Rey once owned a tiger cub. 

The Mercy Harvest of Health will take place again this year and all members are welcome to attend and help out.  Laredo Daybreak Rotary club participates in assisting with this event and all who attend will get a makeup.

Our Thanksgiving holiday will be a sign-in and serve as a make-up if needed.

Joseph Michael Dickerson is a board-certified estate planning and probate attorney in Texas and is also an author, Rotarian, and entrepreneur. 

 

Mr. Dickerson has a BBA in Finance from Texas State University, an MBA in International Trade from TAMIU, and a JD from St. Mary’s Law School. He has been in private practice as since November 1995. His estate planning and business formation law firm has a base office in Laredo and recently expanded to New Braunfels in 2021. He is also an escrow officer with Texas Lone Star Title. Mr. Dickerson has owned several rental properties and has developed and sold commercial shopping centers. 

 

ATTORNEY AT LAW 

Texas State Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate 

 

AUTHOR 

The Road Map to Rich 

The 3 Bucket Method 

The Texan’s Guide of the Probate Process 

Monica Y. Martinez is a dynamic professional known for her versatile career and leadership roles. Born and raised in Laredo, Texas, she has cultivated a rich background that reflects her commitment to education, community service, and business advocacy. Monica's journey began at Texas A&M International University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. Armed with a solid academic foundation, she embarked on a 12-year career as an educator, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of her students. Notably, she served as a highly accomplished High School varsity cheerleading coach and yearbook adviser, showcasing her dedication to fostering both athletic and creative talents among her students. With a keen eye for opportunities and a passion for growth, Monica transitioned her career, leveraging her highly transferable skills. She took on the role of Association Executive/CEO at the Laredo Association of REALTORS, where she excelled in fostering collaboration and promoting the interests of the real estate community. Monica's dedication to community development and business advocacy reached new heights when she assumed the position of Executive Director of the Laredo Chamber of Commerce. In this pivotal role, she has been instrumental in driving economic initiatives, fostering partnerships, and championing the interests of local businesses. Her strategic vision and leadership have contributed significantly to the chamber's role as a catalyst for growth and prosperity in the Laredo community. Outside of her professional pursuits, Monica is a devoted dog lover, sharing her home with three furry companions. This reflects her nurturing nature and the importance she places on companionship and joy beyond the professional realm. Ever the enthusiast for personal and professional development, Monica is currently working towards earning her Master of Business Administration (MBA). This commitment to continuous learning underscores her proactive approach to staying ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of business and leadership. Monica Y. Martinez's journey is a testament to her resilience, adaptability, and commitment to making a positive impact on the community she calls home. As an Executive Director, educator, and community advocate, she continues to leave an indelible mark on the Laredo region, fostering growth, collaboration, and success.

The Laredo Daybreak Rotary club will host the annual Christmas Party - All members are invited to attend!

Please join us for our annual scholarship raffle that is open to our club members, family, friends, and those individuals that purchased a raffle ticket.