The National Hispanic Medical Association held its semi-annual Community Health Fair, drawing hundreds to the James Lee Community Center just outside the Falls Church city limits last Saturday afternoon.

The importance of being vaccinated against the latest strands of the flu and Covid, as well as HIV screenings, was the main focus of the event, although there were scores of different health and health advocacy-related organizations which were represented, filling the main hall and talking over the course of the afternoon with hundreds of attendees.

The Hispanic Heritage Month health fair, organizers said, “is dedicated to serving the entire community in the Falls Church area with a particular focus on the Latine community.” A statement added, “Our goal is to provide comprehensive health services, promote wellness, and enhance access to healthcare through a variety of activities, health screenings and resources tailored to the community’s needs.”

Featured speakers at the event included Adelaida Rosario of the U.S. Office of the Surgeon General, Dr. Natalie Gospodinoff, Virginia Regional Tobacco Control coordinator, Fairfax County’s Mason District Supervisor Andres Jimenez and Karol Escalante, director of Fairfax County’s Immigrant Community Affairs.
Established in 1994 in Washington, D.C., the National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) is a non-profit association representing the interests of 50,000 licensed Hispanic physicians in the United States. The vision of the organization is to be the national leader in improving the health of Hispanic populations.
According to the organization’s website, its mission is to empower Hispanic physicians to lead efforts to improve the health of Hispanic and other underserved populations in collaboration with Hispanic state medical societies, residents, medical students, and other public and private sector partners.

“NHMA provides policymakers, healthcare providers, and our partners with expert information and support in strengthening health service delivery to Hispanic communities across the nation. The NHMA works closely with the White House, federal agencies, Congress, the private sector, and foundations as well as national Hispanic organizations. NHMA also works closely with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), the Congressional Hispanic Conference Institute (CHLI), and other Congressional offices on healthcare policy development that impacts our communities, medical education, health reform and research. In addition, NHMA partners with corporations, academia, foundations, media, and coalitions who also advocate on healthcare delivery, medical education and health workforce leadership and diversity, prevention and public health, and health policy and community-based research for our communities.

“NHMA coordinates leadership programs to develop future leaders that we actively nominate to positions, boards and commissions within the federal government and corporate sector. We have trained 150 Fellows and 200 Resident Leaders. HHS has been the principal sponsor of these programs. In 2013, we started the NHMA California Leadership Fellowship supported by the California Wellness Foundation to develop physician leaders in California. NHMA shares leadership opportunities with its professional members on Fridays to public and private sector organizations.”

In 1997, NHMA began convening its Annual Hispanic Health Conference in March each year in Washington, D.C. to build its network of physicians, residents, medical students, premedical students, and other providers. It’s agenda includes expanding access to quality culturally competent healthcare, increasing opportunities for clinicians in private practice and academic medicine, and health research for Latinos. Another major focus is healthcare policies focused on the ACA and eliminating health disparities faced by Latinos.

NHMA sponsors Hispanic Health Congressional Briefings and 18 NHMA Chapter Policy Forums each year with health experts to educate Congressional staff, national and local stakeholders on policies and programs that can improve the health of our communities.

NHMA provides a monthly e-newsletter to its 25,000 members and meeting/programs participants with Member Highlights.

Among the informational materials available at the fair Saturday were ones which provided an overview of sexually transmitted diseases and infections, HIV transmission facts and misunderstandings, prenatal care, Medicaid application and renewal assistance, and lists of health clinics available in the region.