MCMC and community partners provide primary care and specialty medical
services for more than 200 adults and children
The Dalles, Ore., July 30, 2018 —Mid-Columbia Medical Center and
community organizations joined together to provide onsite healthcare,
food, and formula to more than 200 individuals, including parents and
children, during this year’s cherry harvest.
Resources were provided by Serving Oregon and its Migrants by Offering
Solutions (SOMOS), a group of individuals at MCMC linked with community
partners who are dedicated to serve the thousands of migrant and seasonal
farm workers and their children in The Dalles and surrounding areas.
“This event really shows the heart of the community,” said
Stephanie Bowen, MCMC Community Outreach Coordinator. “Here at MCMC,
part of our mission is to lead and act as a catalyst in promoting health
for all people, and this is a shining example. Each year, the event continues
to grow, both in the amount of people we serve and the organizations who
collaborate with us.”
Outreach was expanded this year to incorporate Mosier orchards with an
event held at the Mosier Community Schools, in addition to events at Curtiss
Orchards, Orchard View Farms, and McClaskey Orchard.
Many obstacles can prevent migrant and seasonal farmers from accessing
healthcare. As migrant farm workers follow the fruit, they often move
out of the area for months at a time. Long hours and inconsistent work
schedules make arranging medical appointments almost impossible.
Although healthcare providers like MCMC offer Spanish language providers
and interpreters, language barriers, low literacy levels, and poor cell
phone service in work areas make communication difficult.
At each of the four onsite healthcare events, farmworkers and their families
had access to primary care, physical therapy, preventative care education,
glucose testing, blood pressure testing, and information about other community
resources.
MCMC Pediatrics also provided Spanish-language children’s books through
the Reach Out and Read Program, MCMC Family Medicine donated dozens of
cans of formula, and the Mid-Columbia Health Foundation’s Breast
Health for Strong Families provided fresh produce and other food supplies.
Additional resources were provided by One Community Health, WorkSource
Oregon, The Next Door, Wells Fargo Bank, and Haven from Domestic Abuse.
“We have so many wonderful local organizations that have different
ways that they can help support our migrant farmworker families—when
we all come together, it really makes an impact on the lives of these
individuals,” Bowen said. “The combined efforts and professional
talent gives farmworkers more health care services, access to resources,
and education.”
About Mid-Columbia Medical Center
MCMC has been serving the Columbia River Gorge for over 50 years. Adopted
in 1992, the Planetree philosophy of patient care emphasizes the need
to address a person's intellectual, environmental, emotional, and
spiritual concerns in addition to their physical needs. For more information,
visit mcmc.net. For more information about the SOMOS program or to get
involved, contact Stephanie Bowen at stephaniela@mcmc.net.
