Our History

HealthCare International ReachOut Inc. (HCI) was founded in 1991 by Dr. Noel Brown, a graduate of the New York University College of Dentistry. Motivated by a deep commitment to his homeland of Jamaica, Dr. Brown established the organization as a community outreach initiative after witnessing firsthand the limited access to healthcare in many rural areas. Long travel distances to clinics and financial hardships often prevented individuals from receiving essential medical and dental care.

Before founding HCI, Dr. Brown traveled to Jamaica with another volunteer group, providing dental services to underserved schools and communities in remote areas. Inspired by that experience, he returned to the United States and reached out to fellow dentists, faculty members from NYU College of Dentistry, and members of the Student National Dental Association (SNDA), inviting them to join him on a one-week mission trip to Jamaica.

Among the earliest volunteers was Dr. Moses Page Snead, an oral surgeon and professor at NYU, along with a dedicated group of NYU dental students. Early support from Air Jamaica and the Rotary Club of Clarendon played an important role in the organization’s development. Air Jamaica assisted with transporting vital supplies, while the Rotary Club’s partnership helped HCI serve communities throughout Clarendon.

Initially focused solely on dental care, HCI expanded its services as the mission grew to include medical doctors, surgeons, anesthesiologists, registered nurses, OB/GYN specialists, and optometrists. Over the years, faculty and students from institutions such as New York University School of Medicine, Meharry Medical and Dental College, the University of Michigan, the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, and Columbia University have joined HCI’s outreach initiatives.

What began as a regional effort in Clarendon has grown into a broader mission serving communities throughout Jamaica and internationally, including Ghana and Trinidad & Tobago. In addition to healthcare services, HCI supports communities by donating computers, books, clothing, and medical equipment to hospitals and schools. On several occasions, the organization has also helped facilitate life-saving medical treatment in the United States for patients who were unable to receive care locally.

Each year, HCI conducts its mission trip during the week of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, honoring his legacy of service, compassion, and humanitarian leadership.

We welcome the support of all who share our commitment to healing and service. Together, we uphold our motto:

“Global Healing with Helping Hearts and Hands.”