“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time; we are the ones we’ve been waiting for, we are the change that we seek”
– US President Barack Obama

The 44th and first black president of the United States, Barack Obama, will likely never know the full impact of his words on those who heard them. But they burn in the heart of one young Jamaican medical doctor, Romario Simpson, who has pledged himself to a life of philanthropy, even while a schoolboy at the Meadowbrook High School in St Andrew.

Simpson’s proven track record of success in youth leadership, academics, community activism and nation-building has catapulted him to international recognition among the 2024 cohort of the seven-year-old “Ignite Caribbean 30 under 30 Change Maker Award”.

This award goes to young individuals under the age of 30 years old, of Caribbean heritage and are outstanding contributors to the socio-economic development of the region. The recognition scheme was started by the Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) based in Washington, DC, USA where the award was presented, courtesy of the Inter-American Development Bank’s executive director and former Trinidadian Minister Robert Le Hunte on June 14, 2024.

“I believe strongly that the giving of selfless service to others will advance the well-being of humankind, community life and the world, and I earnestly want to do my part,” Dr Simpson told the Jamaica Observer which has tracked his philanthropic efforts.

The former Meadowbrook High head boy studied at The University of the West Indies, Mona, successfully completing his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree in 2019. He is currently pursuing post-graduate studies in internal medicine and works at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) as a medical resident.

Dr Simpson grabbed attention for his devotion to a balanced lifestyle focusing on both his academics as well as his numerous charitable work throughout his time at high school; medical school and subsequently while working at the UHWI.

In 2017, he launched the Destiny of Hope Foundation of Jamaica, which operates on the mantra “Empowerment through diversity and volunteerism”, with the focus on homelessness and poverty alleviation; health and disabilities; and climate change and environmental protection.

He has collaborated with Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation to host several feeding sessions; co-hosted numerous health fairs across the Corporate Area, as well as forged successful partnerships with the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD) and the Combined Disabilities Association (CDA) to support their outreach projects.

He has participated in numerous innovative labs/hackathons and received funding for climate projects focused on aquaponic farming, food management and plastic waste management. Through his foundation, he has worked with the Optimist Club of Manor Park, coordinating numerous projects on youth opportunities, wards of the State and the indigent.

Optimist International made him a distinguished president for 2021-22 and he has since gone on to serve as a chairperson for the Optimist International Caribbean District with responsibility for the junior clubs across eight Caribbean territories.

Dr Simpson currently serves as the deputy chairman of the Royal Commonwealth Society of Jamaica and as chairman for the e-Biome Scientific Research and Development Consultative Company, which is an emerging global STEM Jamaican-based company founded by his colleague scientist, Leneka Rhoden.

In 2021, he became a justice of the peace for the parish of St Andrew, the youngest at the time and serves as youth advisor for the custos; secretary for the St Andrew Parish Governor-General’s Achievement Award Selection Committee and on the Awards Adjudication Committee of the St Andrew Parish Justices of the Peace Association.

He was previously awarded with the Prime Minister Youth Award for Excellence (2018); the Governor-General’s Achievement Award (2020), the Sagicor Community Heroes Award (2021); Scientific Research Council Recognition for contribution to the STEM field, and numerous other accolades.