MedShare continues to support Emory University’s Urban Health Initiative through Mobile Medical Back-to-School clinics
In the state of Georgia, children who want to enter the public school system are required to undergo vision, hearing, dental and nutrition screenings. In addition, they are required to have up-to-date immunization records.
Children from low-income families, immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers may encounter several barriers when trying to get started in Georgia schools. These challenges can impact their educational experience and overall well-being. Immigrant and refugee children often face language barriers that affect their ability to communicate with teachers and peers. Cultural differences can also lead to misunderstandings or feelings of isolation. Low-income families may struggle to provide necessary school supplies, uniforms, or transportation, which can hinder a child’s participation and engagement in school.
Children of refugees and asylum seekers, in particular, often lack access to many of the screenings or immunizations required to enter the public school system and to healthcare in general. This group of children also face other obstacles that may hinder their development: trauma or displacement, discrimination based on their ethnicity, religion, or nationality,
This is precisely why MedShare’s partnership with The Emory University Urban Health Initiative (UHI) aligns so perfectly with MedShare’s mission. MedShare’s support for UHI and Georgia’s free and charitable clinic partners helps them directly address these barriers and work to help create an inclusive environment where all children can thrive.
Just this month, MedShare provided medical supplies and equipment for UHI’s Mobile Medical Back-to-School health events, where they conducted free medical evaluations, immunizations and hearing and vision screenings for hundreds of children as young as 4½ in what are considered “high poverty” communities. Tammy Gustafsson Reasoner, Assistant Director for UHI, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership. “Having the equipment and supplies from MedShare has been such a blessing. We’ve been able to ensure accurate evaluations and see more families in half the time. With limited resources and finite windows of time, this is so important.”
The International Rescue Committee (IRC), which provides wrap-around services for refugees, immigrants and low-income families to enable them to integrate and thrive in Georgia communities, hosted the on-site clinics. Children requiring follow-up care were referred to free & charitable clinic partners such as Ethne Health in Clarkston.
The Emory University Urban Health Initiative, known for its commitment to health disparities education and advocacy, has found a long-term ally in MedShare. As they aim to stage similar events throughout the summer, MedShare will continue to help them take healthcare and educational resources directly to these low-resourced communities.
