UTEP’s Health Team Assists at H.O.P.E. Fair
Last Updated on October 16, 2017 at 12:00 AM
Originally published October 16, 2017
By Daniel Perez
UTEP Communications
Hundreds of El Pasoans converged Oct. 10, 2017, at the Opportunity Center for the Homeless for the fall H.O.P.E. clinics that were staffed by an interdisciplinary group of health care representatives from The University of Texas at El Paso.
Faculty, staff and students from UTEP’s College of Health Sciences and the schools of Nursing and Pharmacy worked together along with a cadre of community partners to make the free event a success for neighborhood residents, including those who live at the Opportunity Center, 1208 Myrtle Ave.
The HO.P.E. (Health, Opportunity, Prevention, Education) fair, which had a morning and afternoon session, involved vital tests, screenings and checkups, and the chance to learn about such important topics as diabetes, domestic violence, breast cancer and mental health. Some participants received referrals after their checkups to visit the on-site Centro San Vicente health clinic.
“This is awesome,” said Jeremy “Bubba” Howell, a H.O.P.E. regular. “This collaboration helps the homeless population and it helps the students in health and social work. Many times they do not understand how to work with (people who are homeless).”
The clinics serve several purposes. One goal is to provide health care to people in need. Another is to provide UTEP students from several health disciplines with a real-world experience where they can use what they have learned in the classroom, but also take themselves out of their comfort zone.
Guillermina R. Solis, Ph.D., assistant professor of nursing, said some students initially told her that they were afraid because they thought they could catch a disease or would have to deal with unruly patients. She said that she can tell which students are at the clinic for the first time by their body language, but that changes as the clinic continues.
“I see them evolve,” she said as she stood next to three white cloth accordion partitions that offered some privacy to patients who were getting foot exams from pairs of nursing students. “They realize that (the patients) are people just like us. The student teaches the patient how to check their feet. The patient teaches the student about humanity. I remind our students to be respectful. We’re in their home.”
Meghan A. Avila, a senior nursing major, said this was her first H.O.P.E. clinic. She was there at 6 a.m. when it opened and called it an incredible experience. The first-generation college student said she was amazed at the scope of available screenings, resources and information, but added that many people just want to talk about their medical histories and share personal stories.
Avila said the rapport she builds during the clinic will help these patients to trust nurses and others in the health profession. A good experience may make it easier for them to visit a hospital when necessary, said Avila, who grew up in northern California.
“This gives me a broader scope of the work I am doing,” she said in front of the information table that included her poster presentation about domestic violence and the Violence Against Women Act. “Sometimes you lose sight of the community aspect of your work. (The clinic) promotes preventive care. This is where we start.”
John Martin, the Opportunity Center’s development director, said the center’s officials, patrons and neighbors were grateful for the collaborative clinics that provided multiple benefits, including to the students.
“Now their studies are grounded in reality,” said Martin, who added that he hopes more UTEP students from other departments become part of future H.O.P.E. clinics. “We want students to experience working with people who live with homelessness. The two sides can learn from each other.”
Martin said the center’s clients and neighbors enjoy their interactions with the University crowd. The simplest acts of saying hello and sharing a smile brighten their day.
“These folks love to see new faces,” he said, pausing for effect. “They’re tired of seeing mine.”