More than 100 refugees attended Omaha’s annual World Refugee Day celebration on June 24 that was hosted by Bridge to Care, UNMC’s student-led interprofessional organization focused on refugee health.
Refugees from the Sudanese, Somali, Karen, Iraqi, Syrian and Bhutanese communities in the Omaha area received direct health care screening and health education during the daylong event. More than 50 volunteers, many of whom were UNMC students, participated in ensuring the success of the event.
Along with 22 community-based clinics and health organizations, the Bridge to Care student leadership coordinated involvement of students across all health professions on the UNMC campus, including the Colleges of Medicine, Public Health, Nursing and Pharmacy.
Students from neighboring universities, including the Creighton School of Dentistry, also were involved in providing health care services. These students provided critically needed vision, dental, BMI, blood pressure, lead testing and glucose level screenings for refugee families.
“The Bridge to Care team is grateful to all volunteers, collaborators and exhibitors for their time, effort and willingness to make a difference in the lives of Omaha’s underserved communities,” said Lauren Cirrincione, Pharm.D., a postdoc research associate, pharmacy practice.
Currently, Bridge to Care is preparing for its annual fall 2017 refugee health fair at Benson High School. For more information on Bridge to Care or the health fair, contact Dr. Cirrincione or Drissa Toure,
M.D.