School was out and the student doctor was in – as was the ophthalmologist, the dentist, the pharmacist and others in the health field. The Urban Underserved Track (UUT) at the CU School of Medicine held its second health fair in partnership with Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning at the New America School in Denver, providing mostly immigrant students and their communities free health and vision screenings after the bell and before bedtime.
“Our students performed 88 glucose tests and blood pressure checks, but most of the people were there for the eye exam and glasses,” said Tania Soto Valenzuela, track coordinator. Once again, the track collaborated with the Lions Club for exams and glasses. They screened 69 people; 57 received glasses, including 11 children and 46 adults.
“I sure do remember the huge smile of that 5-year old girl when she put on her new glasses,” said Peggy Moritz, Lowry community volunteer.
“I was so impressed with the cultural diversity of all the people that were helped. I always receive much more than I give at these events.”
Individuals served came from Afghanistan, Burma, China, Congo, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Korea, Kenya, Mexico, Middle East, Nigeria, Nepal, Somalia to name a few, Valenzuela said.