UNMC hosts dinner for U.S. businessman from Haiti

Kimberly, left, and Dumas Simeus, second from left, were honored at an Oct. 23 dinner at Happy Hollow Club. Dumas Simeus, a native of Haiti, is chairman and founder of Simeus Foods International, a large processor of frozen foods for restaurants and institutions. Kimberly Simeus is a native of Schleswig, Iowa, and a graduate of Iowa State University. They are seen here with Rubens Pamies, M.D., center, vice chancellor of academic affairs, and Beverly and Harold M. Maurer, M.D., UNMC chancellor.

UNMC hosted a dinner at Happy Hollow Club on Oct. 23 for Dumas M. Simeus, chairman and founder of Simeus Foods International in Mansfield, Texas.

About 40 people, including representatives from UNMC, The Nebraska Medical Center, the University of Nebraska Foundation, the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the Omaha business community, attended the dinner.

Rubens Pamies, M.D., vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean of graduate studies, said the dinner provided an opportunity for Simeus, a native of Haiti, to meet key university officials as well as several former Haitians now living in Omaha.

Dumas Simeus, center, is joined by Dr. Rubens Pamies, left, and Tom Gouttierre, dean of international studies and programs for UNO and UNMC.

Dr. Pamies, who is a native of Haiti, has known Simeus for several years. He said Simeus has been very successful in his business career but has never forgotten his Haitian roots. “Haiti is a very poor country that has been through a lot of civil unrest in recent years,” Dr. Pamies said. “Dumas started a medical clinic in Haiti, which was much needed. He is a very generous man who has truly given back to society.”

One thing Dr. Pamies hopes to explore with Simeus is the possibility of UNMC students doing volunteer work or their clinical electives in Simeus’ clinic in Haiti. “Many of our students are already doing clinical work in other Third World countries,” Dr. Pamies said. “This could provide valuable clinical experience as well as sensitize them on the global health needs in many of these countries. This type of service can have a profound long-term effect on their medical careers.”

Simeus is the oldest of 12 children. His parents, who were illiterate, worked as chicken and tomato farmers. As an 8-year old child, Simeus stood on the docks and wistfully watched the tall ships bound for France and the United States disappear into the horizon. He always dreamed of being his own boss.

Two of the key people in organizing the dinner for Dumas Simeus were Margaret Robinson, left, and LaShanda Caldwell, both staff members for the vice chancellor of academic affairs.

“I wanted to go where they were going,” he said. “I created a vision of being in one of those countries one day, of going to school, of becoming an entrepreneur.”

He has accomplished those goals and much more. After heading Latin American operations for Beatrice International, Simeus started his own company in 1992 when he founded Simeus Foods International, Inc.

Simeus Foods is one of the largest processors of frozen foods for restaurants and institutional customers. Some of its major clients include Church’s, Hardees, and TGI Friday’s. The company’s sales in 2002 were estimated at $175 million. Some of the company’s products include breaded beef, chicken fritters, breakfast sausage, soups and sauces, taco meat, meatloaf and other pre-cooked meats.

By creating the Simeus Foundation, Simeus hopes to improve the quality of life in Haiti. On his personal Web site, he says he “dreams of a Haiti where children have enough to eat, people have jobs, where health care, clean water and the basic necessities of life are available.”

Dr. Rubens Pamies, left, is seen here with two community leaders — Mike and Carolyn Green. Mike is chief executive officer for Evergreen Capital Management Investment Company, while Carolyn is associate executive director for Girls Inc.

Simeus also is a member of an advisory committee on Haiti. Florida Gov. Jeb Bush organized the committee in response to the crisis earlier this year when rebel groups took over the Haitian government.

Among the attendees at the Oct. 23 dinner were: UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., and his wife, Beverly; Tom Gouttierre, dean of international studies and programs for UNO and UNMC; and Nizar Mamdani, executive director of the Office of International Health Services at The Nebraska Medical Center.