Phl Consul General In Los Angeles, Participating Consuls General Support 2014 Multicultural Health Fair Press Conference

30 September 2014 – The Multicultural Health Awareness and Prevention (MHAP) Center at St. Vincent Medical Center held a press conference on September 18, in partnership with the Consulate Generals of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Korea, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, the Philippines, and Thailand to encourage the community to attend the Free Multicultural Health Fair that was held on September 27.

St. Vincent Medical Center President and CEO Cathy Fickes said, “The annual health fair is an introduction to people and it’s a lot of fun but the health fair also provides the opportunity for people to get some basic health measures tested and checked. What is significant about the annual health fair is that it is a partnership that enjoys the power of an entire health community and would greatly advance our goal of providing health access in our communities.”

The annual health fair supports St. Vincent Medical Center’s mission to serve the sick and the poor and also in response to the population needs of each consulates to provide low-income, uninsured and undocumented individuals with free access to primary care, health screenings, and education and health and social-welfare referrals.

Pedro Ramirez, director for the Multicultural Health Awareness and Prevention (MHAP) Center encouraged everyone to avail themselves of the free health services such as mammography screening, flu shots, cholesterol screening, dental screening, glucose/diabetes screening, ultrasound screening, pap smear screening, blood pressure screening, anemia screening, body fat screening, osteoporosis screening, HIV/STD screening, vision screening, acupuncture, depression and anxiety screening, and free or low-cost health insurance information and enrollment. Information about cancer, heart disease, diabetes and nutrition, and other chronic diseases were also provided for free.

The event was supported by Los Angeles City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell and Councilmember Gil Cedillo, St. Vincent IPA, AltaMed and the Pico Union Neighborhood Council.