Aug. 18, 2022–Dr. Rachel Hunter / Breast Cancer Oncologist

Presentation Title:

NAVIGATING THE CHALLENGES OF BREAST CANCER TREATMENT

 

As a breast surgical oncologist at the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute (MCI), Dr. Hunter treats cases from benign breast disease to aggressive breast cancer. Focusing on breast oncology at an academic cancer research center, Dr. Hunter uses cutting-edge technology and participates in leading-edge research for breast cancer care.

 

From a young age, Dr. Hunter knew she wanted to be a doctor, and breast surgical oncology allows her to combine her passions for women’s health and surgery. Connecting with her patients on a personal level, she empowers them to make informed decisions about their cancer care and its impact on their lifestyles, focusing not only on their physical health but also on their mental health. When a new breast cancer patient comes to MCI, her goal is that they leave with an understanding of their diagnosis and prognosis, a plan in hand and all of their questions and concerns answered.

 

Dr. Hunter carefully considers her patients’ outcomes when planning surgery and extends patient care beyond routine procedures to improve their survivorship journey. She strives to give her patients the best aesthetic results using the hidden scar technique whenever possible. Dr. Hunter also provides a pectoral nerve block for patients undergoing a mastectomy,  and this technique allows patients to have better pain control during and after surgery, which also helps patients use fewer narcotics.

 

Treating patients undergoing breast cancer care, Dr. Hunter works extensively with MCI’s multidisciplinary team of medical and radiation oncologists and plastic surgeons to create an individualized plan for patients. She is dedicated to providing the most-advanced treatments and remaining at the forefront of breast cancer clinical trials and research.

 

Dr. Hunter lives in Mobile with her husband, Dr. John Hunter, a colorectal surgeon at USA Health; their dog, Remi; and their new baby. In her spare time, Dr. Hunter enjoys working out, reading, attending concerts, being outdoors and traveling.

Aug. 11, 2022–Colleen Smith / Mobile Bay Firewood

Born and raised in London, Ontario, Colleen moved to Mobile in 2005 to attend
the University of South Alabama, where she got a degree in Exercise Physiology.
Colleen played volleyball for the Jags for four years then married Jason Smith of
Mobile, and they have two children, Adeline (7) and Cohen (5). Crazy ideas
aren’t new for the Smith’s, as they decided to build their own log cabin in
Lucedale, MS and live on 30 acres of land when they first got married. They lived
there for 5 years and this is really where the love for firewood began. Jason, a full
time firefighter for the City of Mobile, started cutting down trees, and splitting
firewood by hand in 2010. After experiencing all the painstaking problems that
come with doing firewood the “old school” way, the Smith’s knew there had to be
a better, more efficient way to supply firewood locally. Fast forward to 2018, they
began doing market research, including flying to a few other large scale firewood
operations around the country, as well as talking to potential local customers, and
they knew there was indeed a gap in the market for kiln-dried firewood with
reliable customer service. They made their first sale as “Mobile Bay Firewood” in
June 2019, and have grown exponentially since, including a recent move from a
5,500 square foot building to a 47,000 square foot space, which is rapidly filling
up with inventory! Named the Mobile Area Chambers Small Business of the
Month in October 2021, the Smith’s and their team know that none of this is
possible without the support of the people of Mobile and Baldwin Counties and
their continued encouragement. Despite many, many challenges, they have
managed to stumble in a forward direction and continue to grow their business
year over year!

Aug. 4, 2022–Sarah Otts / Local Professional Artist “Light & Color”

Sarah Otts; A Creation Celebration

 

Sarah Otts, a native Mobilian and full time artist, works with the local scenery and wildlife found in and around Mobile Bay to create expressive and vibrant oil paintings. Her work represents the gifts of creation aiming to inspire perspective by encouraging others to look up to the beauty of the natural world. In 2007, Sarah graduated from Ole Miss with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in painting.  Her career,  however,  began before college as a freelance artist selling work as a teenager and throughout her college years. She then went on to sell work through galleries throughout the country until 2019 when she opened Sarah Otts Gallery in the Springhill area of Mobile which is now the sole representation of her art. Sarah and her team distribute fine art to clients around the US. In addition, the gallery carries the “Be a Bright Spot” campaign and products which Sarah created in an effort to encourage others to spread the “color and light” she works into her art.  Be all that you are and nothing you’re not. Be color. Be light. Be a bright spot.  In 2019, Sarah published her first book To Be a Line ; a children’s story about a personified line who learns of the whimsical possibilities that come from simply being himself. Currently, Sarah spends her work days making art in her Oakleigh studio known as The Garden, a conceptual nod to the hymn “In the Garden”. In addition to perpetually painting, Sarah plans to release a new book in November 2022.

July 28, 2022–Chief Paul Prine / Chief, Mobile Police Department

CHIEF OF POLICE  – PAUL PRINE

Chief Paul O. Prine was born and raised in Prichard, Alabama and graduated in 1990 from C.F. Vigor High School. He is married to Kay Sayasane Prine of 26 years and has three beautiful children. He attends Calvary Temple Assembly of God Church and teaches Wednesday night bible study.

He has more than 26 years of law enforcement experience. He started his career with the Chickasaw Police Department in 1995. He was accepted into the Mobile Police Academy in 1997 whereby he graduated at the top of his class earning the Academic Award, The Chief’s Overall Excellence Award, and was nominated by his peers to be the class president.

In October 2001, he responded to a domestic call where he was shot multiple times in the line of duty. He sustained life-threatening injuries. After returning to duty, he subsequently earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and received his graduate degree in Criminal Justice.

Chief Prine has served in many areas of the Mobile Police Department to include Patrol Services, Ranger Unit-Public Housing-Community Patrol, Criminal Investigations, FBI Violent Crimes Task Force, Major Crimes Unit, Narcotics and Vice Unit, the Mobile County Drug Task Force (Gulf Coast H.I.D.T.A.), and Field Operations. He was promoted to the rank of captain in October 2013, whereby he assumed command of Precinct Three. In October 2020, he was promoted to the rank of major where he commanded the Field Operations Division.

Throughout his career, Chief Prine has earned many accolades that include the Chief’s Unit Awards, Chief’s Commendation, Commander Citation, Excellent Police Duty, Law Enforcement Commendation Medal, Wounded-in-Service, and the Distinguished Service Award.

July 14, 2022–Dell Goodwin / District Governor – Rotary District 6880

Dr. Adele S. Goodwin, District Governor 2022 – 2023

Dr. Dell Goodwin, Ed.D District Governor Elect Rotary International, District 6880; Dr. Dell Goodwin was born and raised in Camden, Alabama and her family later moved to Dothan, Alabama. Dell received her undergraduate degrees, Masters in Learning Disabilities and Administration and AA Educational Specialist from Troy University. She received her Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Sarasota. Dell retired as Director of Personnel Services for Dothan City Schools and previously served as Personnel Assistant, Director of Elementary Curriculum, Program Specialist and as a Special Education Teacher in her 39 years all with Dothan City Schools. Dell currently is the Executive Director of the Alabama Association of School Personnel Administrators and on the board for the National American Association of School Personnel Administrators. Dell has served on various professional organizations and community boards: American Cancer Society, LifeSouth, United Way, American Heart Association, Dothan Education Foundation Board, Delta Kappa Gamma, and Wiregrass Rehabilitation Center Board She currently serves on several community boards, including the Dothan Houston County Intellectual Disabilities Board and on the Executive Board. <br>Dell joined the Dothan Rotary Club in September 1996, serving in various areas of responsibilities and leadership on the Club, District, and International Level. On the Club Level service projects: White Elephant Sale, Salvation Army Bell Ringers, Senior Citizen Luncheon, Foster Children, Adopt A School, Food Bank, Scholarships, 4-H Watches, Habitat for Humanity, Polio Plus and Rotary Foundation Program. She has served in the following leadership roles: Club Secretary, Vice- President, President Elect, President, and Immediate Past President. She also served on the committee for the construction of the Dothan Rotary Miracle Field and Playground. Dell has written and received several local grants. Dell served on the Dothan Rotary 100th Anniversary Celebration Committee and coordinated activities for Past Rotary International President, John Germ, during his visit as keynote speaker. On the District 6880 level: PETS Training, District mid-year and annual meetings, Local District Grant Selection Committee, District Global Grant Committee, and District Governor Selection Committee for 2016-2017 and 2017-2018. She attended the Martin Stewart Project “kick-off’ building project in Greensboro. She attended the District ceremonial tree planting on the Capitol grounds with other District 6880 Rotarians and Governor Ivey to fulfill the challenge of RI President for every Rotarian to plant a tree. She served as the Rotary District 6880 Mid-Year Conference Event Coordinator for 2018. On the International Level, the Dothan Rotary Club and the Rotary Club of Slough, England have had an ongoing “matching club” partnership since 1964. This “Rotary Friendship Exchange” is an international exchange program for Rotary members and their families that builds relationships, which have also led to international projects through the years. Dell has participated, coordinated, hosted Slough Rotarians and as the chairman of the Sister City Visits. She attended Rotary International Conference in Atlanta. Dothan Rotary Club received the Presidential Citation and several Rotary District 6880 Awards the year Dell was President. <br>Dell is a Paul Harris Fellow plus two. Dell was honored to receive the Harry P. Hall Meritorious Award for 2017-2018 for District 6880, the highest individual award. Dell has served as District Secretary. She attended the 2019 Rotary Summit for Zones 30 31 in Fort Wayne, Indiana and participated in the Emerging Leaders Seminar. Dell is excited and honored to serve as the District Governor Nominee for District 6880 for 2021-2022 and will also serve as District Secretary. <br>An important aspect of Dell’s life is family, including her husband of 47 years, Tim, who she met at Troy University, a daughter and son in law, a son, and an adorable granddaughter and 3 grand-doggies. Dell and Tim, are members of Covenant United Methodist Church. When she is not working, she loves reading, traveling, the beach, spending time with family, learning, and Rotary!

6-23-22 Kendra Haskins / Executive Director, Distinguished Young Women

Kendra Haskins was named Executive Director of Distinguished Young Women in 2017. Prior to joining the national office, she served as a Distinguished Young Women local chairman for almost 20 years in both San Diego and Charleston, South Carolina. Before moving to Mobile, she owned a design, marketing and branding studio with an emphasis on helping small businesses. She is an award-winning business leader who serves on the steering committee of Mobile’s FOCUS Women’s Conference and formerly helped execute the Charleston Chamber’s Women’s Business Conference and the PubSmart Conference for independent book publishers. And in 2022, she was named one of the Women Who Shape the State by AL.com. Her mission is to see women of all ages be successful in both their personal and professional lives.

 

DYW:

Founded in 1958 in Mobile, Distinguished Young Women has the mission to help young women reach their full individual potential. They do this by offering a free program with life skills workshops to prepare for success after high school, a positive peer network, and by providing over $1 billion in college scholarship opportunities.

6-16-22 Panel Discussion Meeting / “Downtown Development Update from the Experts” Fred Rendfrey, Director of Development-Downtown Mobile Alliance, John D. Peebles, Principal-CRE Mobile, & Matt LeMonde, Corlem, LLC

Overview:

The Downtown Mobile Rotary panel will include a discussion about economic development, real estate and the state of Downtown. Panelists include John Peebles, Principal with CRE Mobile, and Matt LeMond, entrepreneur and developer of O’Daly’s Irish Pub, Dauphin Street Blues Company, Draft Picks Tap Room, POST Crafted Cocktails & Wine Bar and Cedar Street Social Club, to be moderated by Fred Rendfrey of the Downtown Mobile Alliance.

 

Bios:

John is a Mobile native and a graduate of the University of the South. He has been licensed and active in area real estate markets since 1975. His practice has encompassed the sale and leasing of industrial facilities, warehousing and distribution, office as well as brokerage of the land upon which such facilities have been developed. John is also active in the area of urban infill development and redevelopment, and has participated in numerous development projects utilizing Historic Tax Credits financing.

 

Matt is a New Orleans native and a Spring Hill College graduate. Since opening O’Daly’s Irish Pub in 2010, the entrepreneur and developer he has added Dauphin Street Blues Company, Draft Picks Tap Room, POST Crafted Cocktails & Wine Bar, Cedar Street Social Club, and as of June, 2022, The Insider Collective Eatery and The Outsider Sports Lounge

 

Fred Rendfrey is the director of economic development for the Downtown Mobile Alliance and has been in this role since 2007. A native of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Fred graduated from Millsaps College with a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in economic development from the University of Southern Mississippi.  He began working in economic development for the Harrison County Development Commission in Gulfport, MS before serving as the executive director of The Pearl Chamber of Commerce in Pearl, MS.