LITTLE HAITI (Le Floridien) – The Center for Haitian Studies (CHS) and the Department of Community Service (DOCS) of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine have a longtime history when it comes to joining forces to help members of South Florida’s community who, for the most part, have no other means of receiving healthcare from some of the best specialists in the region.
For almost two decades, those two entities have worked in partnership to organize the annual Little Haiti Health Fair.
Last Saturday, October 26, was the 25th edition. From 8:00am to 4:00pm, this year’s health fair attracted hundreds members from throughout the community.
About 130 medical students -between their 1st and 4th year of study at the University of Miami- volunteered for the event along with more than 40 physicians from the University of Miami Hospital.
The Center for Haitian Studies facilitated the event by providing necessary materials and local volunteers. The event was advertised on radio, TV and in newspapers and the community came out in droves. More than 350 admission tickets were handed out this year to those waiting in line.
The organizers were thrilled with the turnout and the fact that they managed to assist a significant number of patients. These individuals received a health check by qualified healthcare professionals.
People from all walks of life and of all ages were seen by medical professionals, for a variety of health issues, including mental health, cholesterol checks, body mass index (BMI), HIV exam, prostate exams, vision, pediatric, podiatry, glucometer, hearing, dental, skin, OB GYN, and more. Free flu shots were also administered during the event.
Colin Zieminski, who is in his second year of medical school, was the project manager of this year’s Health Fair. As all students volunteers, he is a member of the DOCS, a community service organization that’s part of the University of Miami.
“There are a lot of people, especially in the area of Little Haiti, who maybe don’t have great access to medical care,” Colin Zieminski said. “So it’s important for the students to volunteer at this fair as it is a way to help and give back to a community that really needs it.”
Zieminski described the process from once the patient got a ticket number at the main entrance to the final step. Once a participant received his or her admission ticket, they were registered, just as they would be in the event they were admitted to the hospital. Their vital stats were measured, including temperature, pulse rate, breathing, blood pressure, height, and weight. These results were documented. Then they were directed to the appropriate stations (out of ten) inside to deal with their personal health issues.
For interested attendees, assistance was provided in applying for Medicare, Medicaid, low cost insurance, childcare, and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children).
Dr. Georges Metellus, M.D., M.P.H., Administrator of the Center for Haitian Studies, said, “This is an opportunity to evaluate the health of the members of our community and provide them quality healthcare at no cost. These types of activities also give students practical experiences that can help expand their medical knowledge as well as give them the opportunity to work closely with the underserved Haitian patients and understand their culture. This fair will help those future doctors take into consideration the cultural aspect of Haitian patients when time arrives to practice as certified physicians.”
Dr. Metellus added, “There are a number of factors that limit men and women in this area from receiving adequate healthcare, including economic, cultural, and language barriers. For those pre-medical students, there is a clear benefit in volunteering at this event, which provides them invaluable experience. It also allows them to obtain the basic skills required to work with ethnically and culturally diverse patient populations.”
Once lab results are returned, the students from DOCS will send a notification to the patients about those results. If the patient’s health is good, then a simple letter will be sent. If there are any causes for concern that may require treatment, a letter along with a phone call would be made and the patient will be referred to the Center for Haitian Studies or another appropriate healthcare associate at the University of Miami School of Medicine for treatment.
“We are proud to team up each year with UM School of Medicine and UM Hospital to offer this fair to the population,” said Dr. Laurinus “Larry” Pierre, M.D., Founder and Executive Director for the Center for Haitian Studies. “We at CHS are grateful that many people showed up to the event. This is one of the missions of our health community center, to make such an impact in people’s lives, especially patients in need. We are here to help the underserved population.”
Expressing his satisfaction, Dr. Pierre and the entire staff at CHS send out a sincere and heartfelt thank you to all those who made this 2019 Health Fair such a success. The volunteer students, physician staff, sponsors, local media who helped spread the word, and everyone else involved. The Center for Haitian Studies not only bridges the gap between those in need and those who can help, but it also provides long-term resources for the future of the community.
Dessalines FERDINAND / Le Floridien