By
Jean-Claude Bailey &
Dr. Hérold Duroseau
(CCH-FSCAA)

Jean "Jeanjean" Desse currently resides in New Orleans, Louisiana where he practices medicine as a board certified internist. He attended the Brothers of Sacred-Heart school Pope Jean XXIII and later transferred to its secondary extension Canado-Haitian College, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. His multi-pronged impact at the school was instantaneous and noticeable by all from day one as he engaged himself in the path of excellence academically as well as athletically. For the rest of his student career he consistently ranked in the top five in his class. In the Sports arena, he played the position of goalkeeper with the Under-13 Football/Soccer team that brought the first championship to the school in 1966. Then in Volleyball, he repeated the same feat - this time as an Under-15 player. Later, he added three consecutives championships to his prize list with the Under-17 team. Jean Desse acceded to the National Volleyball Team at the early age of 16 representing Haiti in many countries of the Caribbean, North and South Americas. To frame it all up, he accomplished some above average exploits in Table Tennis.

To be considered as one of the highlights of Jeanjean’s outstanding journey was in 1971, the time he proudly defended his country’s colors in Turin, Italy at the International University Tournament. He underwent that period of glory alongside past Haitian Volleyball luminaries such as Eddy “Didi” Altiné, Phèdre Georges, Gary Georges, Daniel Mompoint, George Eric Brisson, Bob Faublas - just to name a few. He continued to exhibit his diversified athletic talents while attending the University Medical School of Haiti where he helped his teammates reach the title in two occasions at the University Championship of Football/Soccer. Approximately during the same time, he took charge of the prestigious Institution Sainte-Rose de Lima’s Volleyball team as head coach leading it to two championship titles.

Dr. Jean Desse, now a compassionate and devoted physician, had completed a residency in Orthopedic Surgery in Haiti then later an internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans. He has remained a competitive athlete even today while practicing his vocation of medicine. This explains why he plays Tennis assiduously and more importantly, he has created time in his busy schedule, to benevolently coach high school youngsters. All in all, Dr. Jean Desse lives with his gracious and lovely wife of 26 years Emeline and fathered four children: Gregory, Jean Alex, Mikhail and Arielle. Despite being an idol and the epitome of pride to his peers, he remains an affable, empathetic, pleasant and humble human being, always disposed to lend a helping hand to others when and where it is needed.