GOPIO International Life

Member Soruba Rani Kuusto receives the Melvin Jones Fellowship award

GOPIO Life Member

Soruba Rani Kuusto received the Melvin Jones Fellow award from the Lions Club International Foundation for dedicated humanitarian services on 1/7/2024.

She is a retired Registered Nurse consultant from the State of California, Dept. of Corrections. She is a skilled negotiator, calm under pressure, with over 35 years of experience managing complex issues. She has also worked as a CAL- -OSHA inspector and a nursing instructor in colleges and state prisons.

Rani is an enthusiastic volunteer and currently holds the following positions:

She was recognised as the lion of the year 20192020. Soruba “RANI” Kuusto is being recognised as a Woman of Empowerment Life (DIAMOND)member in 2022 by P.O.W.E.R (Professional Organization of Women of Excellence Recognized). Membership chairperson at the Fullerton Host Lion’s Club Co-chair for the women's council at GOPIO (Global Organization of People of Indian Origin) International.

Rani is the health benefit chairperson for the Retired Public Employees Association.

A for SAAHAS organisation and Excel Foundations USA.

During the tsunami, she

India (Chennai). She worked as a nurse with Peace Corps volunteers in the Middle East.

As a lifetime Nurse educator, Rani also volunteers to educate senior citizens on diabetes, asthma, and heart disease. She has been one of the conveners at the diabetic summits hosted by the GOPIO-LA chapter during the International Diabetic Month of November for the past four years.

In prisons, as an educator, she educated inmates on domestic violence and health-related topics and educated children in schools on the impacts of bullying. Rani volunteers regularly at health clinics, administering vaccinations and vision screenings and working at health fairs.

As a volunteer, she also participates in packing food and children’s materials for delivery to underdeveloped countries. As a volunteer, she also assists in distributing food regularly to low-income families, students, and seniors every 2 Saturdays a month with the Gurthwara organisation. As a volunteer, she helped her local church by cooking for the homeless & distributing food, clothes, etc. As a volunteer, she also assists with youth programs.

Rani earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from S.N.D.T. College of Nursing in Mumbai, India and her master’s in public health from California State University, Long Beach. She is also a certified Midwife and a Public Health Nurse.

Rani says, “I am often described as a kind-hearted and a great listener. My lifetime mission is to empower and inspire the upcoming youth and nurses to be their best. I enjoy art, music, theatre, travelling and photography.”

Mr Kewal Kanda, Mrs Asha Kanda & Mr Ashok Madan attended the award event from GOPIO International.

Rani Kuusto’s family members, Arun Patole, her son David Patole & his wife Jessica Patole, participated in the event also; her sister, Mrs. Christie Chacko & her husband, Dr. George Chacko, were present.

The Fullerton Host Lions Club members were also present at the award presentation.

Member of GOPIO - LA & Co-Chairperson for GOPIOInternational Women Council Health Benefits Chairperson for Retired Public Employees Association of California (RPEA)

Membership director for Fullerton Host Lions (FHL) Volunteer for Excel Foundations USA.