Refugees spoke in at least eight different languages, but all understood the language of care and compassion Nov. 2 at UNMC’s annual Bridge to Care fall health fair at Benson High School.
More than 420 refugees in the Omaha area received direct health care screenings and health education from more than 100 volunteers at the event coordinated by Bridge to Care, a student-led interprofessional organization focused on refugee health. Services provided included critically needed vision, dental, BMI, blood pressure, lead testing and glucose level screenings for refugee families.
Volunteers included UNMC staff and students from the Colleges of Medicine, Public Health, Pharmacy, Allied Health Professions and Graduate Studies, in addition to more than 30 community-based organizations. Students from the Creighton University School of Dentistry and Methodist Hospital’s nursing students also were involved in providing health care services. Walgreens and NOAH Clinic provided flu shots. Community interpreters from the Methodist Health Care System and Lutheran Family Services ensured the success of the event.
The Bridge to Care program is supported by the UNMC College of Public Health Center for Reducing Health Disparities and the Office of Community Engagement. For more information on Bridge to Care and its outreach, please contact Josiane Kabayundo or Drissa Toure, M.D., director of the Bridge to Care Program and manager of the Community Health Program.