NOAH Newsletter Fall 2020

(402) 933-0737| 5620 AMES AVE. OMAHA, NE 68104| WWW.NOAHCLINIC.ORG| NOAHCLINIC@COX.NET

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NOAH NEWSLETTER The latest news and updates from NOAH Free Clinic

2020 SUMMER INTERNS

IN THIS ISSUE

A NOTE FROM THE FOUNDER & CEO, IRA COMBS RN

SUMMER INTERNSHIP 2020: COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND MORE A NOTE FROM THE

A Note From Founder & Executive Director, Ira Combs RN Greetings from the North Omaha Area Health (NOAH) Free Clinic. As the Founder and CEO of NOAH, it has been my pleasure to serve the community I love on a daily basis. It was through observation and reflection that I was given the vision for this community health center. It is my sincere goal to help bring North Omaha from suffering from health disparities, to the healthiest community in Nebraska.

CLINIC DIRECTOR,

Through education and prevention methods we will be able

MARK DARBY APRN

to do just that. Our clinic is increasing our number of staff

COVID 19: COMMUNITY

nurses and community health workers to help execute our

IMPACT AND NOAH'S RESPONSE

to better serve our community. We have recently hired mission. We are proud to be a free clinic, meaning we do not ask for compensation for the services we provide. If you would like to help us continue our mission please donate to the cause by bringing cash or checks into our

SUPER HEROES VS CANCER

office at 5620 Ames Ave. or visit our website www.noahclinic.org and click the donate button. We look forward to continuing the mission of reducing health disparities for our community.

(402) 933-0737| 5620 AMES AVE. OMAHA, NE 68104| WWW.NOAHCLINIC.ORG| NOAHCLINIC@COX.NET

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Summer Internship 2020: Community Health and Outreach Amidst COVID-19

by Shomari Huggins

This summer has been a challenge for all programs who serve youth and community.

The NOAH Summer Internship Program is no different. In my 6 years leading this program, I've been able to lead over 50 youth interns in a summer curriculum focused on peaking their interest in the health career field and community service.

The 3 pillars of this program are community health, community service, and Interns attend Zoom conference with local professional Alisha Davis

continuing education. Every year a new wave of youth from our community join the program as we spend 8 weeks building on health education and community outreach.

The pandemic restrictions led to a significant change in the operation of the program. Starting the final week of June, the internship was abbreviated from eight to five weeks and subject to local COVID-19 guidelines. Health education, normally the introduction to the program, was extended due to limited outreach opportunities.

Subject matter included body systems such as circulatory, respiratory and bones. Preventable diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke were identified as health disparities for the North Omaha community. Health professionals provided career exploration, education, and development strategies.

Interns had the opportunity to learn the symbiotic relationship of community and health from doctors, entrepreneurs, and artists from the community.

The program concluded with a live broadcast presentation on health disparities. This summer was unique and presented obstacles but the youth did an outstanding job of keeping their level focus. The mission of educating youth in the arenas of public health and community service were continued for another summer and we are looking forward to 2021.

Interns receive instruction from Dr. Asit Goswami

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A Note From the Director of Clinic Operations, Mark Darby APRN NOAH Clinic is up and running through this pandemic. We are seeing people by appointment only. You can call or make an appointment online. We are offering free flu shots, STI testing, health screenings and primary care treatments for chronic conditions. We are doing very well. We saw over 200 people in July and will meet that amount in Aug. A great pace for us during these pandemic times. Tune into Facebook for Covid Conversations at 5 pm every Tuesday! Take care! Wear a mask, wash your hands. Stay safe.

Covid 19: Community Impact and NOAH's Response

by Shomari Huggins

NOAH Clinic Staff

The impact of the covid-19 pandemic is one that we may not grasp until several years from now. Health policy, public health, and the health career field as a whole have been thrust into the worlds centerstage. Nearly 33 million cases have been confirmed worldwide according to the World Health Organization (as of 09/30/20). Douglas County has seen nearly 200 deaths related COVID-19 and over 16,000 confirmed cases. One of the hardest hit areas in the county is the North Omaha community, which we primarily serve. The COVID-19 pandemic, combined with preexisting health disparities in North Omaha, created an urgent need for response. This response included testing centers, adherence to guidelines, awareness campaigns, and distribution of food and supplies. These measures contributed to over 12,000 recoveries.

NOAH had the opportunity to participate in several testing drives held at Clair Methodist United Methodist Church.

The guidelines and directives of related to the COVID-19 virus are dynamic. Youth in the Omaha metro have adjusted to in home learning with tablets and virtual software. The community is now grappling with the possibility of a return back to in person learning.

Churches are broadcasting services on Facebook Live and other platforms. Hospitals have postponed elective surgeries. As 2020 comes to a close there is now more of a need than ever for health education and new recruits into the health career field from our community. NOAH will continue to serve as a bridge between the community and healthcare information.

(402) 933-0737| 5620 AMES AVE. OMAHA, NE 68104| WWW.NOAHCLINIC.ORG| NOAHCLINIC@COX.NET

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Super Heroes vs Cancer

by Shomari Huggins

Prevention Man serves as mascot and comic book character for NOAH Free Clinic. Super heroes capture the imagination of children and adults alike. Some want to be them and others want to at least live in a world where they really exist. It was with great shock that the world found out Chadwick Boseman, the actor who played the comic book super-hero Black Panther, was dead. What added to the shock, was that a man who looked healthy, could be sick right before our eyes.

PREVENTION MAN

The black community is no stranger to the sting of cancer. In fact, according to the CDC, cancer is the second leading cause of death for black men. Many people questioned how Boseman could have kept such an illness to himself.

While working on several films, Chadwick Boseman would Chadwick Boseman 1976 - 2020

receive treatment in secret.

Unfortunately, some in our community don't receive treatment for their illnesses, because they don't know they're sick. The most effective way to stop cancer and other illnesses from advancing into a state where it can't be controlled, is catching it early.

NOAH Clinic focuses on preventative healthcare methods, including regular vital checks like blood pressure, cholesterol, and STD screening. In the fight against health disparities, we are educating our community about health disparities. In the words of Prevention Man, "there's power in prevention."

This resource is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $24,024,409 with 0 percent financed with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.