VCOM students reach out to help Hispanic community in Roanoke Valley

On Sunday, November 16, 2008, VCOM students participated in a Health Screening Fair at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Roanoke, Virginia.  The Fair was geared toward Spanish speaking patients of the Roanoke region and over 100 patients were screened by VCOM students and faculty. 

The Hispanic Community Medical Outreach Club (HCMO), founded earlier this year at VCOM, made its debut and coordinated the event with a primary focus on screening, awareness, and prevention.  All information was provided in Spanish and stations included cholesterol and glucose screening, eye and ear check-ups, along with BMI and blood pressure evaluations.  Educational tables included insurance information for children and information on how to care for chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes with emphasis on preventing heart disease and stroke.

According to OMSII Leo Diaz, President of the VCOM HCMO, “We are appreciative of the collaborative efforts of our student volunteers and community partners who donated supplies such as VCOM, APCA clinic, and the Free Clinic of The New River Valley.  The support of Dean Rawlins for these events and, in particular for serving as our attending physician for this event,  is demonstration of her ongoing efforts to provide healthcare to the underserved population and her continuing commitment to support student outreach endeavors.”