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Introduction
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Public Health Champion
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Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
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Boston Medical Center
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Caritas Carney Hospital
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Caritas Saint Elizabeth's Medical Center
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Children's Hospital Boston
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Faulkner Hospital
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Lahey Clinic Medical Center
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Massachusetts General Hospital
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Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
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Tufts Medical Center
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VA Boston Healthcare System
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COBTH Community Benefits Committee
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COBTH Hospital Cancer Rides
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COBTH Domestic Violence Council |
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For 500 residents, last September’s first annual Dorchester Celebrates Good Health & Wellness Fair at Fields Corner was a good mix of family fun and a chance to have a free screening and pick up important health information. For some, it had been a long time since they bothered to have a basic screening or discuss their health issues with a professional care giver.
The first annual Dorchester health fair, which attracted a large immigrant population, was the collaboration of Caritas Carney Hospital, family agencies, community health centers, the City of Boston, and the Mass. Department of Public Health. Boston City Council President Maureen Feeney and City Councilor Sam Yoon enthusiastically served as honorary co-chairs.
The fair’s creator -- Carney’s Director of Business Development Mary Truong – envisioned an event aimed at attracting families, with particular emphasis on reaching out to immigrant populations. As a Vietnamese émigré and well-known community leader for 20 years, Truong is keenly aware of the cultural barriers that prevent immigrants from seeking medical care and health information.
But, language was not a barrier as Spanish, Vietnamese, and Haitian-Creole interpreters worked alongside technicians and nearly 40 greater Dorchester health and human service agencies at the fair.
Together, Carney Hospital, community health centers and area agencies founded an event that strengthened their bond and collective mission to serve the community. Most importantly, this event – receiving pro bono advertising in four languages via newspaper, and radio and cable television programming – truly resonated with residents, many of whom sought additional medical attention after the fair. Plans are underway for the second annual health fair in the fall of 2008.
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