Pass Christian Rotary Club Post Katrina Projects Helping Our Community

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Rebuilding the Lives and Community of Pass Christian, Mississippi

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A Will to Rise By Rotary

Dwight H. Short II, M.D., is a man of action. Ask most people who know "DH" and they will tell you that he is a compassionate and concerned person who believes in making people's lives better.

In 2007, Rotary International awarded D.H. Short II the "Service Above Self Award." This award goes only to a handful of people around the world in any given year. The criteria of this award speaks volumes of Dr. Short and his Rotary work prior to Hurricane Katina but much to his crusade since hurricane struck to raise Pass Christian from the disaster it experienced.

The criteria for the award stated, "The nominee must have demonstrated exemplary humanitarian service, in any form and at any level, with an emphasis on personal volunteer efforts and active involvement in helping others through Rotary. Service rendered by nominee through Rotary must have been on a continuing basis. The award will not be given solely in recognition of one’s performance in an elected or appointed Rotary assignment. Personal financial contributions to The Rotary Foundation or any individual project are not relevant considerations for this award."

DH Short, by career, is a cardiovascular surgeon, in private practice nearly 30 years, preceded by three years in medical research. Dr. Short and his wife, Kathie are members Trinity Episcopal Church. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, DH has lived in Pass Christian for over 25 years.

Dr. Short is active in the Mississippi State Medical Association and its Legislative council. He also belongs to the Capital Club, and is a member of the American Medical Association. The Short’s breed purebred West Highland White Terriers. DH and his wife are also active in the Mississippi Coast German Shepherd Dog Club as well as five other dog clubs in Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.

DH has been a member of Pass Christian Rotary Club since 1998. He has served as club president a number of times including 2005-2006 and 2007-2008. Since the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, DH has focused his life and service to the Pass Christian Rotary Post- Katrina Disaster Recovery and Special Projects.

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How the State College Rotary Club heard about DH Short and the plight of Pass Christian, MS.

A State College, PA registered nurse, Ms. Susan Ferro was part of the Hurricane Katrina medical relief team that went to the Gulf Coast to assist devastated communities. During that eight-day stay, she met D.H. Short, President of the Rotary club in Pass Christian, Harrison County, Mississippi. Dr. Short, local physician, stayed in the Pass Christian hospital during the hurricane as the eye passed over the town with its torrential rain, wind and storm surges with heights of 33 feet that battered the city of Pass Christian on August 29, 2005. He asked Ms. Ferro that when she returned home to please contact a local club president. Ms. Ferro did, On November 3, 2005, Rotary President John Vincenti made a call to Dr. Short. He answered the phone via cell because there were no land telephone lines in the area.

During our ensuing conversation, Vincenti said, "I heard a man who was very concerned about his community, upset about the lack of Rotary communication and interaction, even emotional, at times, when he spoke about the plight of the 6,500 people, the loss of the city’s infrastructure, roads, and homeless people. He said that Hurricane Camille had hit them, but Katrina was much, much worse. He was astounded that Ms. Ferro followed up with his request and was very thankful."

Vincenti said, from the get-go I learned that the Rotary Club of Pass Christian was dedicated 24/7 to help their community rebound from the worst natural disaster in its history. D.H. Short and his fellow Rotarians needed our help. He said that his club and its members are going out on their own to contact other Rotary Clubs about their continued plight to bring their town back. He said that since 1976, his Rotary Club has had a separate foundation that has a 501C(3) tax-deductible fund. Rotarians and other folks, if you are looking for a specific needy community to help, this is it. He also spoke of the loss of one of his fellow Rotarians and his wife who had drowned during the Hurricane. We need to do something and quickly. In early December 2005, DH spent a week in our district.