Tampa Nonprofit provides medical, dental screenings to children, families in remote Caribbean towns
TAMPA – A crucial aspect of the Caribbean Community Association (CCA) is maintaining the link to their heritage and helping the communities of the islands that relatives call home. From health to education and everything in between, CCA members have been helping children locally as well as those living in their native islands.
Health Outreach program, association members provide healthcare services to families in remote parts of the Caribbean, focusing on promoting early detection of diseases and overall health education. The organization has sent members to Jamaica on multiple occasions, with their most recent trip occurring just two weeks ago.
This year’s trip was to rural Trelawny, Jamaica where many children have never been examined by professional doctors or dentists. Health mission coordinator Dillette Clarke and his team of medical professionals and volunteers helped administer immunizations and conduct general health and dental screenings to over 400 disadvantaged children and families who would have not received medical attention otherwise.
Clarke recruited an all-star team of local medical professionals for the Health Outreach program. Caribbean-American volunteers include doctors Terri Ashmeade, M.D., Christopher Baird, M.D., Earl Dixon, M.D., Christopher Jones, M.D. and Natasha Gooden, M.D.
Also volunteering were health team members Dolores Johnson, Ester Graham, Doris Gooden, Racquel MacCagno, Altamah Clarke, Chanel Rigby, Gretel Graham, Medora Little and Annette Tracey.
The dental team included William Nerestant, D.D.S., Betzi D. Abreu Diaz, Kerry Ann Forchin and Joan Brown.
The most recent trip to Jamaica will be discussed at the monthly CCA meeting on June 15. The meeting will be held at the UACDC Building at 14013 North 22nd Street in Tampa, FL, 33613.
To donate money, supplies or volunteer to go on the health mission in 2013 contact Dillette Clarke by phone, (813) 409-9085 or by email, [email protected]
