Kingston, Jamaica — For generations, Jamaicans who built lives in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and beyond have carried a quiet but persistent worry: what happens to their healthcare — and their parents’ healthcare when they come home to visit or to stay?
The Susumber Health Foundation, a newly established not-for-profit organization, is asking the diaspora to help answer that question — and it’s asking directly, through a short survey that closes July 15, 2026.
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Complete the survey here: https://diaspora-survey-jun2026.web.app/
(Open to Jamaican nationals, their children, spouses of any nationality and any others who may be considering a home in Jamaica.)
Why This Survey Matters
Susumber Health Foundation was founded to close a gap that has gone unaddressed for far too long: there is currently no coordinated, professionally governed effort to make top quality, affordable, and portable healthcare available to Jamaicans preparing to retire or relocate home to Jamaica — and no legislative pathway for something as fundamental as U.S. Medicare or Canadian Medicare or UK NHS to travel with them.
Through early stakeholder engagement, the Susumber Health Foundation has already identified the core obstacles standing in the way:
● No portable, affordable healthcare options that travel with retirees from Canada, the U.S., or the UK back to Jamaica
● A shortage of internationally accredited facilities and recognized medical practitioners ● No legislative framework enabling U.S. Medicare / Canadian/ NHS portability to Jamaica ● Private insurance products that were never built with the returnee community in mind ● A lack of real research into the economic and social realities of return to Jamaica.
The survey data collected now will become the evidence base that Susumber Health Foundation brings directly to insurers — making the case for new policies that could let retirees use their own Jamaican homes as a place of convalescence, backed by major medical coverage, medevac protection, and access to local services, all while staying connected to — and complementing — their national health plans in the U.S., Canada, or UK.
In short: this is the diaspora’s chance to help design the healthcare product and care they need, before it’s built without them.
Who’s Behind It
Susumber Health Foundation was founded by three individuals whose careers sit squarely at the intersection of healthcare, finance, and diaspora advocacy:
Yvonne J. Graham, PhD has spent decades as a tireless advocate for the Caribbean diaspora and returning residents, both at home and from her long-time base in Brooklyn and remains deeply connected to policymakers and community leaders across the Greater New York area. A Registered Nurse and founder and Executive Director of Caribbean Women’s Health Association, Dr. Graham also served as Deputy Borough President for Brooklyn before assuming the role of Associate Commissioner of Health for New York State where she directed the Office of Minority Health. She then served as Director of Workforce Development and Adult and Continuing Education at Medgar Evers College, CUNY and completed her professional journey at UNICEF -USA as Vice-President for Strategic Engagement and Partnerships.
Marce Hayles brings a rare combination of clinical, commercial healthcare and Insurance industry experiences, having practiced for more than two decades in Jamaica and the USA. She moved into leadership — running AIG Retirement Planning & Sales operation across the Southeastern USA for nearly eight years. Later, Marce returned to Jamaica and led operations as CEO of GWEST, a healthcare firm listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange.
Leo Williams has spent his career at the intersection of healthcare and capital formation: from marketing and global product leadership roles at GE Medical Systems spanning Canada to Argentina, to advising hospital systems as a consultant with the Boston Consulting Group, to his recent work as a private equity fund manager focused on bringing medical practices and hospitals to scale as regional entities and positioning them to go public on the Jamaica Stock Exchange. Leo’s firm is a registered financial advisor in Jamaica.
In Their Own Words
Susumber Health Foundation is prioritizing the voice of the Diaspora through research, policymaking, advocacy and development of systems and programs that ensure health, community involvement and the overall social well-being of Returning Residents and Locals. Long experience has made clear that access to good healthcare is essential for vibrant communities.
— Yvonne J. Graham, PhD, Co-Founder / Director, Susumber Health Foundation
Susumber Health is focused on disease prevention through improvement and expansion of healthcare access and to all in Jamaica – Locals, Diaspora, Ex-pats and Medical Tourists. At Susumber, our strategy is to partner with “Serious Doers” and use our competitive advantages like, our Jamaican human capital, “real-zeal”, adaptability and geography. We will partner to achieve World Class Jamaican Healthcare. — Marce Hayles, Co-Founder / Director, Susumber Health Foundation
The Jamaican Diaspora represents a wave of migrants who boldly made their way and left a strong imprint on the countries where they established new lives. As they move into retirement, the next generation will need to find new ways of bridging those cultures back to Jamaica. The portability of their savings, investments and benefits is estimated to be on the order of $4-7 billion USD annually to Jamaica. We need more to make the return home easier for our Diasporans to Jamaica.
— Leo Williams, Co-Founder / Director, Susumber Health Foundation
We are asking for your Advice – the sooner the better
Please Complete the survey: https://diaspora-survey-jun2026.web.app/
Susumber Health Foundation is asking you, and everyone in the Jamaican Diaspora to Tell us and Teach us – by giving a few minutes to answer this quick survey. Also, we would not be Real Jamaicans, if we did not ask you to share the Survey with family, friends, and Church family, your TikTok, Whatsapp, Instagram, FaceBook and all your networks.
Because your complete survey represents your voice when the Susumber Health Foundation Board meets with Government officials, medical insurers, business partners, travel health companies, immigration/customs, and healthcare providers in Canada, Jamaica, UK, USA and beyond. Your input is vital – Doing this survey can stop others from making assumptions about the Diaspora – This Survey will give them the Facts.
