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| USA College of Medicine first- and second-year students provided free health screenings to a Latino immigrant group in Semmes, Alabama. |
Under the supervision of preceptors Eduardo Calderon, M.D., associate professor of internal medicine, and Amanda Robinson, M.D., a local family medicine physician and USA College of Medicine alumna, the team of first- and second-year medical students provided exceptional care to this disadvantaged population.
"The Latino population in Mobile faces unique challenges that must be met with unique solutions," said Elizabeth Hernandez, a second-year medical student and president of the Medical Spanish Interest Group. "While the Student-Run Free Clinic already provides free health care on Friday afternoons at Salvation Army, this population in particular finds it difficult to take off of work, to find transport to this location, and most importantly to communicate with the staff there. An ambulant clinic with native Spanish-speaking staff was the perfect solution."
According to Hernandez, more than 15 adults and children were seen that day, some of which presented with health issues that may have otherwise gone undetected and caused greater issues later on had the clinic not reached that community.
"The Medical Spanish Interest Group and the Student-Run Free Clinic look forward to a continued partnership with BELONG and hope to reach many more Latinos of the Mobile area," Hernandez said.
To learn more about joining the Medical Spanish Interest Group and future outreach opportunities, contact Elizabeth Hernandez at edh1322@jagmail.southalabama.edu.
