In Memoriam: Jacques Louis

We are sad to share the news that Jacques Louis, better known to his friends and colleagues as “Boss Jak,” died March 21, 2025, at the age of 82.

Boss Jak ran the water system and laundry service at the Justinian University Hospital in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, for many decades. He was among the first people we came to know when Konbit Sante began our relationship with the hospital almost 25 years ago. His responsibilities were very labor and time intensive, which meant he was ever-present at the hospital, balancing the limited water supply with the numerous demands. He was dedicated, hardworking, and consistently brought a respectful and thoughtful approach to his work.

Boss Jak always greeted with a smile and asked about friends and family before delving into challenges with the hospital’s infrastructure. He shared in the labor, laughs, and tears as he worked together with Konbit Sante volunteers on improvements over the years. We ate many lunches together, during which he always enjoyed his sweets, or as he would say, “Les bonbons sont bons.”

Boss Jak personified our collaborative approach through his friendship and guidance on ways to improve services critical to health care, particularly water and laundry. He is missed by all those who knew him, including his colleagues at the hospital and Konbit Sante’s volunteers and staff, particularly those who worked with him on infrastructure projects over the past 20-plus years. We send our sincerest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.