VCOM - Auburn 2018 Yearbook

HCMO Hispanic Community Medical Outreach

Dianet Falcon, President; Jacqueline Escalante, Vice President; Iliet Payan, Secretary; Tito Martinez, Treasurer; Johnny Stackhouse, DO and J.J. White, DO, PhD, Faculty Advisors

T hroughout the year, the Hispanic Community Medical Outreach (HCMO) organization hosted events that supported VCOM’s mission trips, enhanced the cultural competency of students and provided a fun, social atmosphere with a Latin twist! To celebrate Hispanic Heritage month, the VCOM family was introduced to some Latin flavor at the annual Fiesta Latina event that showcases authentic food, music, a piñata, face painting and salsa/bachata dance lessons. HCMO commemorated Cinco de Mayo by placing mini flyers on student desks explaining the significance of the day along with a small treat. For El Día de Los Niños, the children of students and faculty were celebrated with treats, arts and crafts and a movie entitled “The Book of Life.” For the Day of the Dead, a Mexican holiday celebrating the deceased, HCMO members sold Mexican sweet bread and hot chocolate. The proceeds from this event, as well as the selling of mission trip shirts along with donations from organization members, went towards buying supplies and gifts for the children at all medical mission trip sites.

In order to prepare students for the VCOM Mission trips, HCMO offered Spanish classes to students. The club also prepared pamphlets filled with basic medical Spanish for the students to utilize. Guest speaker Ricardo Maldonado, MD, provided students with excellent insight into the diseases that commonly affect the Hispanic population and how to interact with Hispanic patients. HCMO members and officers served as translators for a free clinic at St. Mary’s church set up by Mayra Rodriguez, PhD, with the physician supervision of Randy DeArment, DO. HCMO officers gained further insight and inspiration to share with organization members by attending the Latino Medical Student Association’s 2018 Southeast Regional Conference. This opportunity allowed for networking, participating in educational workshops, improving leadership skills and potentially recruiting Latino premedical students to VCOM. From attending conferences to hosting cultural awareness events and Spanish classes, HCMO takes great pride in contributing to the mission of VCOM by helping to prepare globally- minded and community-focused physicians.

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