Linfield College nursing students were recognized by the Mexican Consulate for their key role in Binational Health Week in Portland. At the October event students joined working health professionals to provide health services and information to 1,000 Latinos. Linfield students measured blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) and provided nutritional information to 150 participants.
The Multicultural Programs office at Linfield’s nursing school organized the event, which was sponsored by the Mexican Consulate Office.
“We wanted to expose nursing students to the diversity of our population here in Oregon,” said Claudia Garcia, director of Multicultural Programs at the nursing school.
“Most of the students were not Latino, and this event gave them an opportunity to provide care for individuals who have a language barrier, as well as a cultural one. It was my hope that the students were able to practice their cultural competence skills while providing good health care to the participants.”
Binational Health Week is one of the largest mobilization efforts of government agencies, community organizations and volunteers to improve the health and well-being of the underserved Latino population living in the U.S. and Canada. The program targets families of Mexican descent.