For two decades, Miami Dade College鈥檚 annual Community Health Fair has helped thousands of uninsured or underinsured people in Miami-Dade County get free access to basic health care services.
It began at MDC鈥檚 Medical Campus, situated in the heart of Miami鈥檚 healthcare district, and was started by the college鈥檚 current president Madeline Pumariega 鈥� who back in 2006 was the dean of student affairs.
鈥溾�夾t that time I was actually a student and we realized there was a need in the community to offer blood pressure check, cholesterol [check],鈥� said a, president of MDC鈥檚 Medical Campus. 鈥淭hose things are called the silent killer for a reason 鈥� it doesn't really bother you until you can't do anything about it.鈥�
Now 20 years later, it has become a staple event for the community college, and is largely run by its own students and faculty. Lieba was a dental hygiene student when the community health fair made its debut.
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鈥溾�奍t's an all hands on deck type of situation from all the campuses that come together,鈥� said Leiba.
According to the college, the annual event has served more than 2,000 Miami-Dade County residents each year, and has provided more than 40,000 free health screenings over the last two decades.
This year, there will be over a dozen different types of free health care screenings available, including for Hepatitis C, and lipid panels screenings. Attendees will also be able to get free eye exams, dental exams and eGFR tests to assess kidney function.
Cancer screenings will also be available for colorectal, cervical, prostate and breast cancer, including on鈥憇ite mammograms.
鈥溾�奅vents like this really are not only for you to get real service, but to really educate and know that 鈥榳ow, this is happening out there right in my backyard and I had no clue,鈥欌�� said Leiba.
Under Leiba鈥檚 leadership, the MDC Community Health Fair has expanded to provide veterinary services, and a food distribution in partnership with Farm Share. For some families, the health fair is the only opportunity all year-round to receive preventive care 鈥� for themselves and their pets.
鈥溾�奣here's so many folks that their pet is part of their family, so we wanna make sure that we holistically take care of everyone,鈥� said Leiba. 鈥溾�奛ot only will you be able to come and get your basic healthcare screenings, but you can also pick up groceries, too 鈥� if you are in that need.鈥�
Over 50 vendors that include nonprofits or local government agencies will be sharing information at the Community Health Fair about the year-round services they provide, many of which are free or affordable.
Miami Dade College has services it provides throughout the year. The Medical Campus has a and , with a full dental cleaning and X-rays for $35 鈥� and a full eye exam, including a retina screening, for $25.
For Leiba, the thousands of residents they see come to the event each year is proof that health care access remains a pressing issue in Miami-Dade County 鈥� and the health fair plays a part in filling that critical gap.
鈥溾�奣here's so many people that just want to be able to be healthy,鈥� said Leiba. 鈥淭o have the resources that they need, or even information, so they can make that decision for themselves.鈥�
IF YOU GO
What: Miami Dade College鈥檚 20th Annual Community Health Fair
When: Saturday, March 7, from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Where: MDC Medical Campus, 950 NW 20th Street, Miami, FL 33127
More information on health screenings:
