Megan Charlop
Megan
 
Megan Charlop

Paul Harris Fellow

Megan Charlop, with her husband, Richard Powers, had taken five children who came for heart surgery with the Rotary Gift of Life program into their home. She was honored  as a Paul Harris Fellow for her selfless dedication to these children and their parents, who had traveled here from other countries to face the open heart surgery that gave these children a new lease on life. It is a frightening time for these parents and children, and the love and caring she has given over and over again exemplify the Rotary motto, ‘Service Above Self.” After the surgery, Megan has helped the children to heal, and the parents, too.

The children hosted by Megan Charlop and Richard Powers include:
Gabriela Medina in 2001, Luis Montero in 2006, and Joaninior Hencock Fify in 2007

Megan was born in Brooklyn and grew up in Great Neck, but she and her husband have lived in The Bronx for over 30 years She is a graduate of Kirkland College, now merged with Hamilton College in New York, and received a Masters in Public Health from Hunter College.

Megan was the Director of the Community Health Division at the Montefiore School Health Program where she oversaw the program’s public health initiatives, including the Healthy Kids project. She had a strong track record in coalition building, setting policy agendas, developing implementation strategies and leading community wide initiatives.

She spearheaded the development of the Montefiore Safe House for Lead Poisoning Prevention, the Lead Busters peer education program, the school component of the Hunts Point Asthma Initiative, and the Community Health Division.
Megan was a founding member of the Norwood Nursery School, the New York City Coalition to End Lead Poisoning, and Greening for Breathing. She served on the Public Health Association of New York City’s Board of Directors.

Tragically, Megan was killed in a traffic accident while cycling on the very streets that she so loved. She was known as "The Angel of the Bronx" for very good reason. Her love knew no restrictions.

Megan and Richard have four grown children: Sarah, Zachary, Rachel and Aaron, and have four foster children. Richard is originally from Louisville, Kentucky, and is a construction manager.