Carmel Barrau, M.D., has taken the helm at Dade County Medical Association. The medical society’s first Haitian American leader, Barrau, is co-founder of the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida International University and chairs the Dean’s Advisory Council. He is also a board member of the FIU Foundation. He earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from the State University School of Medicine in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He completed his internship and residency at the University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Hospital, and received numerous commendations throughout his career. He has been an active voice in Miami area health care for the past 30 years, serving as a leader and adviser in patient care, peer review, and medical education.

In his acceptance message, Dr. Barrau emphasized his commitment to work hand-in-hand with health care professionals throughout the community to find solutions to improve the well-being and rights of patients and physicians. Promoting three crucial aspects that form the foundation of medicine: the art and science of medicine, promoting collaboration and communication among our members; the business of medicine, ensuring that everyone in our community has access to the care they need; and the politics of medicine, being a strong advocate for healthcare policy at the local, state, and national level.  Dr. Barrau encouraged those in attendance to join him in an effort to accomplish his goals.  “To whom much is given, much is expected.”

Dr. Barrau, an Internal Medicine specialist, is Past President of the Haitian Medical Association Abroad – AMHE, a former member of the Florida Board of Medicine, and a founding member of the Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine.  He recognized two of his mentors in attendance, Dr. Rudolph Moise and Dr. Nelson Adams, both Past Presidents of the DCMA, as two people who have contributed to his career since he came to Miami from Haiti.