Additional Photos can be viewed here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/qLg5DqzLZvNd5yoGA
On May 19, 2019, the Asian Pacific Health Foundation in collaboration with the UC San Diego School of Medicine (SOM) provided Free Health Screening for Viral Hepatitis B and C, Hypertension, Diabetes, and Cholesterol disorders at the Martin Luther King Community Center (140 E. 12th St., National City, CA 91950). APHF partnered with SOM last March and this was our first event together to celebrate National Hepatitis Testing Day. As with other APHF health outreach events, APHF’s screenings continue to be very well received by the community.
The mission of APHF is to advance health and wellness for the vulnerable groups in San Diego and Imperial Counties by providing health education and free community health screenings for hepatitis B and C, diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol disorders and osteoporosis at community centers.
Many thanks to Dr. Araneta, Assistant Dean of Diversity and Community Partnerships, UCSD SOM, for helping to coordinate with community leaders to identify the venue and make this event possible.
From Dr. Araneta - “This community partnership with the Pacific Islander community would not have been possible without community leaders from multiple civic organizations, especially to Moana Cabiles of Hui O Hawaii of San Diego. Mo searched for venue options, including the National City Fire Department, and to Capt Scott Robinson, who secured the MLK Community Center, and waived the rental fee.”
The screening event started out with a lecture on Hepatitis B tests by Dr. Robert Gish, MD. Beginning the event with education turned out to be highly beneficial; due to heightened awareness at the start, both community members and APHF volunteers were more eager to be tested and excited to learn more about the disease.
We were also joined by student pharmacists from Hepatitis B Elective Course, UCSD Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SSPPS), who brought Hepatitis posters to educate the community about differences in Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.
This was our first time having both medical students from UCSD SOM and pharmacy students from UCSD SSPPS as part of the consultation team. Community members were grateful to have medical and pharmacy members on-site to answer questions about the range of topics from diseases to medications.
Thank you to APHF members who came out to support this event:
Robert Gish, MD, Medical Director
Kayla Giang, PharmD, Executive Director
Nguyen Vo, Program Manager, SSPPS P1
James Cordero, Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator
Megan Cheng, Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator
Tam Ho, Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator
Kevin Lam, Program Intern
David Lam, Program Intern
Jaxon Wagner, Phlebotomist
Haley Bennett, Phlebotomist
Medical students from UCSD SOM: Terrence Lee and Keni Lasitani
Pharmacy students from UCSD SSPPS: Norint Tung, Khanh Nguyen, and Casey Tiefenthaler
Guest undergraduate students: Teini Elisara and Christopher Haltori
APHF Volunteer Members
Every contribution and support from the community is essential for APHF to be a better organization for community and continue our free screening and education service to San Diego residents, especially the most vulnerable populations. APHF’s achievements could not have happened without everyone’s efforts. APHF is looking forward to continuing good work for the community. Please continue to support us and feel free to spread the word about our activities!