| |
|
| |
 |
| |
Current News |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
November 12, 2011
Springdale Arkansas- RMI President Jurelang Zedkaia celebrated the opening of a new outreach clinic that intends to primarily serve the Marshallese population but is open to any Arkansas resident. Occupying a 1,200-square-foot suite in the JTL Shop, 614 E. Emma Ave., near the Jones Center for Families, a place familiar to and frequented by the Marshallese, the clinic will improve accessibility to health service for the Marshallese community.
The outreach clinic will open on Monday November 14,and has a team of 7 members. The Team compromises of 3 Registered Nurse (RNs), including RN/Hispanic and Marshallese Outreach Coordinator Sandy Hainline-Williams, Marshallese Health Service Specialist Yotina Anjain-Masha, and Marshallese outreach workers Williamina Bing, Kenny Boaz, and Joe Kaminaga. Hiring Marshallese will eliminate communication barriers and preventive health care measures will be provided from a culturally-sensitive approach.
Providing health services is a challenge so this new outreach clinic, “aims at closing the gaps in services to the Marshallese community,” stated Dr. Paul Halverson, Arkansas Department of Health Director and State Health Officer. For ease of access, the clinic will operate on a walk-in basis.
Also present during the opening ceremony was former Congressman Vic Snyder, who along with former Congressman and now Arkansas Senator John Boozeman, and Senator Mark Pryor, supported the 2009 legislation to fund the remodeling and equipment for the clinic. The 2009 legislation was spearheaded by former Senator Blanche Lincoln. “This is not just the celebration of the clinic but it is also the celebration of the friendship we have with the Marshall Islands,” explains former Congressman Vic Snyder.
Various people and agencies at the local, state, and federal levels provided funding support for the clinic, including Dr. Joseph H. Bates, whom the new clinic is named after.
Signifying the importance of the occasion, President Zedkaia described the opening of the new outreach clinic as “one of many positive developments that exemplify that true meaning of the close and cordial relations between our two peoples and countries.” President Zedkaia acknowledged the people and agencies that were very vocal about the health issues of the Marshallese population and also ensured that the government will continue doing its part towards effective coordination on important health and social issues that have mutual impact on both communities and further expressed his appreciation for the fact that such clinics as the ‘Dr. Joseph H. Bates Clinic’ provide services that are indeed appropriate, accessible, and sensitive to the needs of the Marshallese population.
In a letter from Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe, the Governor thanked President Zedkaia for continued assistance in addressing health issues and added that the purpose of the clinic is designed to serve the Marshallese community and assist families so they can have a place to learn and belong to.
The opening of the clinic was celebrated with music from the Marshallese United Church of Christ Children’s Choir, the Jouj in Jesus Choir groups, and a Marshallese traditional dance performance.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
