Cabrini Profiles – Patricia Daoust

Patricia Daoust

A nurse by training, Pat Daoust’s concern and connection with international HIV care and education led her to become a member of the Cabrini Mission Foundation Board of Trustees. For the past six years, she has administered HIV and AIDS educational training programs to nurses and medical staff in Africa. Beginning with the Harvard AIDS Institute, where she trained nurses in Botswana and helped to encourage the active participation of local communities in recognizing HIV and AIDS, her path led her eventually to Swaziland, where she saw the dedication of the Cabrini Sisters in action and the integration of the local community into St. Philip’s Mission. Based in Boston, Pat is an active voice for St. Philip’s and an advocate for the great work being done there during her speaking engagements through the International Training and Education Center for HIV.

Q: How and when did you become involved with the Board of Trustees at Cabrini Mission Foundation?
I joined the Board in June of 2003 when I met Sr. Lucille Souza, MSC and discussed Swaziland and the Foundation. I was blown away by the potential and opportunity presented by St. Philip’s, if only the financial possibilities were harnessed. I felt my extensive work on HIV and speaking engagements would be helpful in developing dollars particularly for Swaziland.

Q: What has been your most fulfilling moment working with the Foundation?
Being able to visit Swaziland and stay on the Mission was one of my most rewarding moments as a Board member. While there, I was impressed by the lay volunteers and the Sisters– their work, their dedication to the children and the people of that community. I also love that the Cabrini Mission Foundation and the Cabrini institutions have a singular mission, to help others in every way, yet have such a diverse outlet of programs and services to do so.

Q: What do you hope to see in the future for the Foundation?
Eventually, my hope is that we will be able to formalize a way to attract more donors to Swaziland. I learned, through my speaking engagements, that just getting the word out does make a significant impact. Increasing awareness of the work being done there is crucial. We raised almost $15,000 for the gogos (or grandmothers who inevitably have to care for the orphaned children) in one speaking engagement. Imagine what we could do with more awareness.