Media Release

Mangaluru, Aug 13: In recognition of her selfless and dedicated service to the community, through her hospice for the terminally ill, Dr Lavina Noronha is nominated for the ‘Outstanding Community Leaders of Mangaluru - 2019’ Award by International Institute for Public Policy (IIPP), an international organization based in Mangaluru for the cause of policy implementation for public good.

The announcement of the award is made on the eve of Independence Day every year by Max and Jessie Rasquinha, Houston/Dallas, Texas, USA, the founders of International Orientation Centre and International Institute for Public Policy, who always cherish Mangaluru as their beloved ‘Home Sweet Home’ even after leaving Mangaluru 60 years ago, wherever they were while pursuing their daily life.

The award will be presented to Dr Noronha personally by Max Rasquinha on the occasion of Independence Day at a ceremony to be held in Roshni Nilaya School of Social Work.

Dr Lavina Noronha has selflessly strived to bring dignity to death and quality of life for those who are terminally ill and have lost hope of life, through her Ave Maria Palliative Care Centre at Vamanjoor on the outskirts of Mangaluru.

The ‘Outstanding Community Award’ is planned to be presented officially during the visit of the Rasquinha family to their home town every year. Max and Jessie Rasquinha are keen followers of all the developments taking place in their beloved home town of Mangaluru. All the dignitaries who are dedicating their talents and efforts for our community and society are always noted and admired for future recognitions.

Former bishop of Mangaluru Dr Aloysius D'Souza, eminent singer and composer Wilfy Rebimbus, former Lokayukta Santosh Hegde, founder of Daijiworld Walter Nandalike, Msgr Fred Pereira, social work educationist and activist Dr Olinda Pereira, late Fr Ronnie Prabhu SJ, Sachitha Nandagopal, Joe Gonsalves, Sr Shruthi and James Serrao are among those who have received the ‘Outstanding Community Leaders’ award in the past.

About Dr Lavina M Noronha

Dr Lavina Noronha is an epitome of humility and dedication as she treads a path less travelled while most would be happy to build their careers towards lucrative professions and self-centred growth and personal success. Dr Lavina M Noronha, PhD, MSW, the director of Ave Maria Palliative Care, is a living example of commitment at work in service of humanity. She received her M Phil from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru and her Doctorate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA.

Dr Noronha served as an associate professor and director of the MSW Programme at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas, USA. To add to that, she has had several years of clinical practice in the fields of mental health, Crisis Respite, Employee Assistance and Hospice in the USA. She also has several professional publications and presentations on a variety of topics to her credit and is the founder president of CREST International Inc, USA and a member of the Indian Association of Palliative Care.

Life of Dr Lavina Noronha changed, when she came to India to be with her father who was suffering from Alzheimer’s. Although, in the past, she had counselled many Alzheimer’s sufferers, it was different when she saw her own father suffer. She saw that there was very little help available around for terminally ill patients and moreover, there was very little that was done to alleviate their pain.

She returned to her hometown to start a Hospice, leaving behind her lucrative and coveted job. She joined the CDSE Trust which offered her land to build the hospice unit.

Dr Lavina’s dream project, Ave Maria Palliative Care has patients suffering from cancer, liver diseases, renal failure and dementia, who need holistic comfort and care. The home is free and anyone is welcome, regardless of religion, class and caste.

Dr Noronha has been efficiently managing the 15-bed hospice with utmost professionalism, taking along an equally dedicated team of doctors, nurses, care givers and volunteers coupled with the goodwill of many which she has earned over the years of her toil.