![[ Roberta's Ramblings ]](/images/roberta_rambling.gif)
May 21, 1998
Hello OBGYN.netters,
As many of the OBGYN.net oldtimers know it has been a long arduous task to build OBGYN.net over the past two years into the worlds premier website for Obstetricians, Gynecologists and women's health issues. We certainly could not have done it without all the doctors and women from around the world that believed in what we were doing. We now have six major corporate sponsors who also believe in us, Zeneca Pharmaceuticals, Siemens Ultrasound, Circon Corporation, Ostex International, FemRx and InnerDyne. So the viability we were hoping to achieve has come to pass.
OBGYN.net from the very start was always designed with a strong belief in an open architecture. It is free to all, globally focused, and overseen by Ob/Gyn's from all around the world. OBGYN.net is not designed to be the place you end up on the Internet but rather the place you begin. The gateway for all the OBGYN professional organizations, women's support groups, web resources and so forth. As you all know we provide links, announcement services, Forum and Chat services freely to all women's health associations, societies, universities, hospitals, and organizations.
We owe everything that we are at OBGYN.net to Obstetricians and Gynecologists from every corner of the world. We are now thanks to our wonderful sponsors in a position to start giving something back to the global community of Ob/Gyn.
As many of you know and some perhaps do not, early in the development of OBGYN.net a young doctor from Portugal came forward to help us build resources into it of value to physicians in his country. Dr. Ricardo Marques was devoted to the belief of improving healthcare to women in remote places in the world. He believed that the Internet would be vital in accomplishing that goal. Ricardo also believed in making a personal effort and sacrifice to that end. He made several trips to Africa with "Doctors Without Borders". On June 21, 1997 he made the ultimate sacrifice. While in Somalia he was shot in the back and killed by terrorists while there on a humanitarian mission to build a women's clinic.
OBGYN.net has created an award in Ricardo's memory. On June 21st, 1998, the first anniversary of his death we will donate a website valued at $25,000 to a deserving woman's health association or organization in his memory. The OBGYN.net physicians will select an association or project that we believe parallels the ideals of Ricardo. An organization dedicated to improving women's health care in remote places in the world. Beginning in 1999 the OBGYN.net Ricardo Marques Humanitarian Award will be a cash donation of $25,000 made each year on June 21st.
This award will be given every year to a non-profit organization that exemplifies Ricardo's mission. If you have recommendations for a worthy organization who should receive it please share them with our selection committee.The Internet is changing the world of medical communications. This is now beyond doubt or speculation by any who understand it's tremendous potential. But what good will the new communication tool be if it does not accomplish the most compelling goal; to bring education and information into remote areas of the world and help save and improve women's lives. Places where sadly no conference will ever be held and no library or university are on the planning table. That the Internet can improve the lives of people in those places Ricardo truly believed. That OBGYN.net can help make his dream a reality is the goal of the OBGYN.net Ricardo Marques Humanitarian Award.
With Fondest Regards,
Roberta
If you have any interesting news, ideas, or questions you would like to share please drop me a line at roberta.speyer@obgyn.net.
5/21/98
Jump to the Roberta's Ramblings Archive