Newsletter Date: May 14
Meeting Date: May 8
Reporter: Dick Gregory
INSPIRATION
Rob Black inspired us with words of Queen Elizabeth II: “But over the years I have observed that some attributes of leadership are universal and are often about finding ways of encouraging people to combine their efforts, their talents, their insights, their enthusiasm and their inspiration to work together.”
MILLION DOLLAR MEAL
AT RIPBS TOMORROW
Tomorrow, May 15, is our Million Dollar Meal featuring a tour of the studios of RIPBS. MEETING IS AT RIPBS, 50 PARK LANE, PROVIDENCE (directions here).
A BUSY WEEK OF COMMUNITY SERVICE
Tuesday: Five trees donated by our club foundation were planted by city crews in the area of Westminster and Aborn Sts. Downtown. Thanks to Wendy Marcus and her Environment Committee for making it happen.
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Thursday: Members and our guests from Sophia Academy were treated to a rousing performance of Godspell by The Players at Barker Playhouse. Thanks to Holly Appplegate for coordinating.
Saturday: Pres. Anthony, Pres-elect Don, Steve Hug, Luis Lourenco, Mary Cullen, Richard Applebaum, James Scott and Mary Norwalk turned out for painting at Kizirian School. Thanks to Art Norwalk for coordinating.
FAREWELL AND BEST WISHES
To Victor Gomes, who is retiring after many years of heading our friendly and efficient service team at the Marriott.
A number of tears were shed as Wendy Marcus made the announcement.
BIRTH OF A NEW ECONOMY
IN PROVIDENCE
Our speaker was Carol Malysz, the new executive director of MedMates, Rhode Island’s life sciences and technology network.
An aging population will stimulate creation of new products for early diagnosis of health problems, less invasive and more effective treatments, less hospital time and more rehabilitation. Some of them are here already.
- Providence based EquiVax is an immunology company founded by a Brown professor with a capacity in computation immunology. It re-engineers therapeutic proteins to develop new vaccines.
- IlluminOss, in East Providence, found a way to stabilize and heal bone fractures more quickly using a light cured polymer implant inside an inflatable balloon.
- AiDance Skincare, in Woonsocket, makes all natural products for skincare.
- Care Thread, in Providence, provides a secure mobile messaging service so that all members of a patient’s health care team can communicate instantaneously in real time.
- Providence’s XiMedica provides product development services to the medical industry.
A generation ago, Rhode Island was the costume jewelry capital of the world. Now it is all gone. We are witnessing the birth of a new economy based on innovation and knowledge. Health sciences and technology are playing an ever larger role.
Looking to the future, medical research and innovation faces many challenges: we expect federal funding to be slashed by 20%; finding talent is a very competitive undertaking; and access to capital is problematic.
But Rhode Island in general and Providence in particular have advantages that few cities and states enjoy: cutting edge research, partnerships and collaboration.
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