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New York–Jamaica Practice to Lead Major Medical and Dental Mission in Westmoreland
As communities in western Jamaica continue to recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, one medical team is preparing to deliver help where it’s needed most. Emirates Facial & Dental Implant Center (EFDIC), a New York– and Jamaica-based dental and surgical practice led by board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Dwight Williams, will host a three-day medical and dental mission in Little London, Westmoreland, from December 17 to 20, 2025.
The mission, organized in collaboration with several international and local partners, aims to provide a wide range of free health services. Residents will have access to dental care, diabetes screening, wound care, mental health first aid, child therapy, and information on managing hypertension and diabetes.
EFDIC’s Chief Financial Officer, Morvia Reid Williams, who helped create the mission, said the initiative was born from compassion and a deep sense of duty to Jamaicans affected by the storm. “Dr. Williams and I felt compelled to lend support to Little London and its neighboring communities,” she said. “We empathize with those who have lost so much. We want them to know that we see them, we hear them, and we are ready to help.”
For Reid Williams, the project holds personal meaning. “Little London is Dr. Williams’ hometown,” she explained. “Through family and friends, we’ve heard about the challenges — limited food, scarce health care, and the pressing need for mental health support. That connection makes this mission deeply personal.”
The couple behind EFDIC has a long history of service. “For twelve years, we’ve coordinated dental missions through the United Mission of Goodwill,” Reid Williams said. “We understand the barriers many Jamaicans face in receiving consistent medical and dental care.”
This year’s mission will be supported by a volunteer coalition drawn from both the U.S. and Jamaica. “While this initiative is sponsored by Emirates Facial & Dental Implant Center, it’s also powered by the generosity of our family, friends, and partners in both countries,” Reid Williams noted.
Leading the medical team will be Dr. Leesa Schaaffee of Giving JA, an organization with ongoing operations in disaster-affected communities. Emergency dental care will be managed by Dr. Jodiann Manderson and the EFDIC team. “Both Dr. Schaaffee’s and Dr. Manderson’s groups have been actively involved in post-hurricane recovery,” she added. “Their volunteerism has been remarkable.”
Several organizations, including the United Mission of Goodwill, Caribbean Girls Dream of Hope, Walker Contractor, JamPsych, and Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and Wellness, have pledged their partnership. Volunteers from New York will also bring medical supplies, first aid materials, and hygiene kits to support those in crisis.
Beyond addressing physical health, the mission also focuses on emotional recovery. “We know many are struggling with trauma — from the elderly to the youngest residents,” Reid Williams said. “Mental and emotional care is crucial at this stage of recovery. The impact has been profound.”
Reid Williams emphasized that the initiative symbolizes solidarity and hope during Jamaica’s rebuilding process. “Our mission is made up of many willing hands and open hearts,” she said. “We carry a shared message of healing and love: One Love. One Heart. One Jamaica.”