Jerry L. Hall, Vice President 2006-2007, Director 2005-2007 Rotary International, will discuss the development and updates regarding the Uganda Nursing School in Bwindi. 
 
 
 
The Uganda Nursing School Bwindi was developed near the Bwindi Community Hospital that was started in 2003 by Dr. Scott Kellermann, a family physician from Nevada City, California, to initially serve the Batwa Pygmies.  The hospital has grown in remarkable fashion and only had 12 beds in 2006 but now boasts 114.  The nursing school was conceived as a way to develop and/or supplement health care delivery systems in Southwestern Uganda – providing diploma nurses to the Bwindi Community Hospital, other hospitals and the out year concept is to have nurses return to their villages and provide front line health care without the supervision of a physician.
 
In 2013 the Rotary Club of Reno submitted an application for a global grant and our grant was the first such grant approved under the new grant model developed by The Rotary Foundation.  Eighteen Rotary clubs contributed to the project and the Sparks club contributed $1,000.  In addition there were 60 individual Rotarians that stepped up with gifts of $100 to $1,000.  The total local match was $67,000 ($35,000 from the Reno club) and the total budget on our project was $250,000.  The funds were used to purchase all of the furnishings and support equipment for the school including a completely furnished nursing simulation teaching lab. 
 
In May, 2014, a Vocational Training Team (VTT) composed of three advanced practice nurses traveled to Uganda to teach the new tutors how to teach. The VTT also conducted an  “Excellence in Nursing Education” symposium sponsored by Rotary that was attended by nursing education leaders from all over Uganda.
 
About Our Speaker:
 
Jerry has been a member of the Rotary Club of Reno since 1977, served as president in 1987-88 and District 5190 Governor in 1993-94.   Jerry served as Rotary International Director (2005-07) and Vice President (2006-07).
 
Jerry and his wife Tasha participated in a National Immunization Day in Ghana, West Africa, an orphanage project in Romania, a rural hospital project in Uganda, a house-build project in Mexico and just completed leading a Vocational Training Team to Uganda. 
Jerry and his wife Tasha have hosted 13 exchange students including a second generation student, the son of a student hosted 22 years earlier.  He and his wife Tasha are Level 2 major donors and members of the Bequest Society.  Jerry is the recipient of the Rotary International Distinguished Service Award, The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service and the RI Service Above Self Award. 
 
Jerry served as Executive Director of the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County from 1977 until 1993.  After his retirement as Executive Director, the RTC renamed the 7 acre RTC administrative and operations complex the Jerry L. Hall Regional Transportation Center. 
 
Jerry worked as an engineering and management consultant, has been active in his community and has served in a number of leadership roles and is currently past chair and member of the Reno Tahoe Airport Authority.  He is a recipient of the University of Nevada President’s Medal for service to the community and higher education.