Rhodes Scholar Rolle to build clinic, sports complex in Bahamas

Florida State University Rhodes Scholar and college football All-American Myron Rolle and his family have announced plans to build the Myron L. Rolle Medical Clinic and Sports Complex, in Steventon, Exuma in the Bahamas, where his parents were born. The complex will provide free health services to residents of Exuma, as well as a state-of-the-art wellness and training facility for athletes and visitors.

The project will be executed in conjunction with the Bahamas Ministry of Health and the Florida State University College of Medicine.

After just 2 1/2 years of study, Rolle graduated from Florida State in December 2008 with a degree in exercise science and this coming school year, as a Rhodes Scholar, will pursue a master's degree in medical anthropology from Oxford University in England. He plans to enter the National Football League Draft in 2010 to pursue a professional football career. Following football a career he plans to become a surgeon.

"My family and I are extremely proud to announce the construction of this Medical Clinic and Sports Complex, which will provide much-needed medical resources to an area of the world that is near and dear to our hearts," said Rolle. "While I was born in the U.S., Bahamas is where my parents, Whitney and Beverly Rolle, and three of my brothers, were born and raised. I have always thought of the Bahamas as my second home."

The Florida State University College of Medicine is partnering with the Rolle Foundation to advise on the project, as well as launch a new initiative through its FSU Cares Program to bring a medical mission to Exuma each year. During the program, Florida State medical students and doctors will travel to the Bahamas and provide free medical care and supplies to Exumians. The program will be funded through the Rolle Foundation.