Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica on Oct. 28, 2025. In the hardest-hit regions, the storm caused significant disruption, leaving communities with scarce access to clean water and straining local health resources. In response, the College has mobilized to support critical recovery efforts. Through a collaborative funding initiative, ICD is delivering a total of US $10,000 in aid to International Medical Relief (IMR), a premier first-responder organization specializing in frontline medical and dental care.
A Collaborative Response
The initiative began when the ICD USA Section Foundation awarded an initial US $5,000 grant to support IMR’s immediate response in Jamaica. The ICD Global Visionary Fund (GVF) – Henry Schein Cares Grant Program recognized the magnitude of the crisis and the opportunity to double the impact of this humanitarian effort. Consequently, the GVF matched the USA Foundation’s contribution with an additional US $5,000 grant.
By combining resources, the USA Section Foundation and the GVF are ensuring aid reaches the most vulnerable communities as they begin the long process of rebuilding.
Dental Relief on the Frontlines
The relief efforts are being led by IMR, an organization with deep ties to the College through its President, Shauna King, a USA Honorary Fellow. This relationship reinforces a shared commitment to comprehensive care that extends well beyond the immediate aftermath of the storm.
This partnership is built on shared methodology. Mirroring the sustainable approach championed by GVF-funded projects worldwide, IMR teams look beyond simple emergency extractions to address the critical intersection of oral and systemic health. In Jamaica, they have identified that high rates of infection and decay are currently destabilizing patients with pre-existing conditions like diabetes and hypertension. By treating these oral health issues, the project prevents secondary health crises in vulnerable populations.
Ms. King highlighted the value of this partnership in sustaining such vital work. “This support comes at a critical time and will have an immediate and meaningful impact for the communities we are serving on the ground,” she said. “We are honored by the ICD’s confidence in our work and by your shared commitment to restoring dental health, dignity and hope in the wake of the hurricane.”
Local Leadership
These efforts are being coordinated in close consultation with local dental leaders. Dr. Irving McKenzie, the Chief Dental Officer of Jamaica and the ICD Registrar for Section XX Region 32, is working directly with the government and IMR volunteers to help guide these operations effectively. Other Jamaican ICD Fellows are providing their support to the disaster relief efforts locally.
Strengthen ICD’s Capacity to Serve
The ability of the Global Visionary Fund’s grant program to match this grant was made possible by the generous donations of ICD Fellows and the ongoing support of Henry Schein. To ensure we can continue to respond to international crises and provide strategic support to organizations like IMR in the future, the College has launched the Building a Legacy of Impact campaign. The GVF is a priority area of this campaign, designed to expand our support for humanitarian oral health initiatives worldwide. Please help us build this legacy by supporting the campaign today at icd.org/campaign.
