North Miami is home to a new community health center. MJD Wellness & Specialty Care held its ribbon cutting ceremony with the North Miami Chamber of Commerce on Saturday (Nov. 14). This was a big day for members of this new not-for-profit organization, particularly its president, Emmanuela ‘Manou’ Fleurimont, the dynamic woman behind this longtime project, as she had long dreamed of doing something to help and advocate for people in need in Miami-Dade County.
The new center is located in North Miami downtown, not far from City Hall. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was held outdoors beyond the building. Fortune smiled on the small crowd as the skies cleared after nearly daily rain the past two weeks. Those in attendance wore masks and practiced social distancing.
Many local media outlets, mainly Haitian, were present to cover the grand opening ceremony. Representatives of some local health partners as PharmCo Pharmacy, Florida Blue-Medicare and GBT Lab who sponsored the event were also in attendance.
Manuela Ternier and Chesney ‘Cheche’ Destinobles, part of MJD Management, co-hosted the open-air event. Ternier opened the event by thanking people for attending in spite of the pandemic’s challenges. She then called Sister Saint-Vil from West Palm Beach to officially open the event with a prayer.
A representative of PharmCo Pharmacy praised the board members of the new community center for their determination to make it happen. “I am proud of you Emmanuela. Have MJD and build MJD to something that will matter each and every single day consistently for a very long time to a lot of people in this community and above and beyond this community. All the best to you Emmanuela, and MJD, and everyone that is involved. Best of luck.”
Ms. Anne Noel, a MJD staff member , described the primary-care and preventative-health services that the clinic will provide to both the Haitian community and the Latino community in North Miami.
She explained that the focus on preventative health care and health education are meant to promote a healthier lifestyle in the community. The center is committed to empowering young adults and prioritizing their health. It will provide services to everyone, regardless of ethnicity, gender, culture or medical status.
The center will offer consultations and educational information on various health topics including diet and exercise; events are planned in which healthy food will be distributed. Staff at MJD will screen patients and refer them to licensed partner professionals for follow-up care and support.
When she spoke, Fleurimont first thanked God who she said always looks out for her. She also sent gratitude to her parents for their sacrifice in helping her morally and financially. She said she was particularly thankful that her mother, who has been fighting cancer, could see the joy of MJD opening.
Fleurimont, known as Manou in the Haitian community, went on to thank many more people including key Haitian-American elected officials: Miami-Dade County District 2 Commissioner Jean Monestime, North Miami Mayor Philippe Bien-Aimé, and Vice-Mayor Dr. Alix Desulme; the DJ who entertained at the event; and everyone else who had helped make her dream a reality.
“Without your support, I would never be able to make this happen,” Fleurimont said.
In addition: “I need to take the time to thank Mr. Patrick Fabre, because he was one of the first to support me, help me build MJD. Thank you so much Mr. Fabre for believing in the dream and helping grow.”
Desulme was the last speaker at the event. He praised Fleurimont’s courage and her desire to make a difference in people’s lives.
“She lives in my district and she is one of those residents who truly cares for the people of the great city. What you see here, this is who she is. She is a public servant in her heart, and she truly means it. She is an inspiration for all of us here in the city. It has been said that she is very, very determined. If she puts her mind to something, she will get it done,” he said.
Further he added: “This is the clinic for the community. We wanted you to know, Emmanuela, no matter what you need from us, from the city — and I know I can speak for myself and my colleagues up there — we are going to make sure you get the proper funding and what you need to make this clinic happen. We are ready to back you up 100 percent.”
In support, the city of North Miami declared Nov. 14 MJD Day in North Miami.
Fleurimont received plaques showing the appreciation of Miami-Dade Commissioner District 2 Jean Monestime and one from the office on North Miami District 3 Councilman Dr. Alix Desulme.
MJD Wellness and & Specialty is located on the second floor of 822 NE 125th St. It can be reached at 786-406-5886 or online at www.mjdwellness.org.
Dessalines Ferdinand
Le Floridien
