CHS

Call (305) 757-9555

To schedule a visit. Services are provided Monday through Friday - 9 a.m to 5 p.m.

Health

Services

Haitian immigrants, for the most part, come from areas of Haiti where health care is a luxury that is afforded to a few, rather than a right available to the majority of citizens. Immigration to the U.S, however, does not eliminate health care access barriers,...

Read more...

 

CHS OB/GYN

Clinic

A significant number of low-income women living in Miami’s Little Haiti/Little River area are unemployed and uninsured. The CHS OB/GYN Clinic is the only free community clinic they can access for basic gynecological and obstetrical care...

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Medical

Education

(CHS), in collaboration, with its academic affiliates, offers an excellent opportunity to local, national and international medical students, medical residents, student nurses, student medical assistant and nurse practitioner students ...

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The Center for Haitian Studies, Health, and Human Services, Inc. (CHS)

The Center for Haitian Studies (CHS) is a duly registered non-profit, tax-exempt health and social service organization founded in 1988 for the purpose of serving the disenfranchised populations of Little Haiti/Little River in Miami, Florida.
 
In keeping with its mission, CHS provides a wide range of services to members of the population including health education, health services free of charge to indigents, psychosocial counseling, case management, home-delivered meals, food bank, direct financial assistance and transportation.
 
Other services provided by the Center for Haitian Studies to the general population include crime prevention, literacy, case management, cultural adaptation and counseling services for new immigrants who arrived in Florida after 1994.
 
Over the past seventeen year, CHS has received more than twenty million dollars in grants from various federal, state and local entities such as the Centers for Disease Control, Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami Community Development Block Grant, ... Read more

 

Haitian immigrants, for the most part, come from areas of Haiti where health care is a luxury that is afforded to a few, rather than a right available to the majority of citizens. Immigration to the U.S, however, does not eliminate health care access barriers, even though more resources are available. The low socioeconomic status, cultural stressors and other ecological factors suffered by immigrants continue to create barriers to adequate health care. In addition, Haitian immigrants lack information about the U.S. health care system and may not be eligible for benefits from insurers such as Medicare and Medicaid even under the Health Care Act (Obamacare).

 Other factors such as illiteracy, language difficulties, cultural differences, and certain beliefs and practices also constitute major barriers to health care access for this population. Lastly, the stereotyping of Haitians by other ethnic groups contributes to keeping many Haitian immigrants from seeking health care from existing traditional institutions where few culturally sensitive programs are in place to address these barriers. The Center for Haitian Studies, Health and Human Services provides urgently needed, culturally competent primary care services designed to decrease the growing number of Little Haiti residents who may delay seeking health care, resulting in the worsening of treatable conditions or resort to emergency rooms for conditions that could be easily treated at the primary care level. Services available at the Center include: physical examination, health education, immunizations, cholesterol screening, blood sugar screening, blood pressure control, pregnancy testing, breast examination, vision screening, HIV testing/counseling, pediatric services and referrals to specialty care. Since the earthquake of 2010, there has been a notable increase in the need for mental health and pediatric services. At CHS, health care services are provided by highly qualified, culturally competent medical professionals from local universities, hospitals and community health care centers. 

To schedule a visit, please call:
305-757-9555
Services are provided:
Monday through Friday
9 a.m to 5 p.m.

In collaboration with local hospitals and private physician offices, CHS offers culturally competent clerkship rotations to medical students and training opportunities for medical residents, student nurses, medical assistants and advanced practice nurses.

CHS operates under the governance of a voluntary Board of Directors composed of experts in various social and health disciplines.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: J. Bryan Page, PhD, Chairman / Jean-Michel Cétoute, Secretary / Carméus Jacob, Treasurer.

MEMBERS: Didi Bertrand, MHA / Pierre Blémur, MD / Elizabeth Greig, MD / Dev Dabas / Michel Dodard, M.D / Angelo Gousse, M.D / Barth Green, M.D / Prince C. Smith, PhD / Stephen Symes, MD, FACP / Prince Smith, PhD / Richard Parrish, M.D / Leonie Hermantin / Jenny Drice, M.D.

ADMINISTRATION: Laurinus Pierre, M.D, M.P.H, Executive Director / Stephen Symes, MD, FACP, Medical Director / Georges Metellus, MD, MPH, Administrator / Rosa Carrasquillo, Assistant Administrator, HR Director.

CONSULTANTS: Steven Klein, MHA / Michael Butler, MD.

Radio broadcasting is the principal medium by which to reach members of the Haitian population of South Florida. Under funding from the University of Miami Department of Family Medicine /Community Health (Area Health Education Center--(AHEC) and the Public Health Trust/Jackson Memorial Hospital, CHS hosts a popular bi-weekly radio program, and broadcasts daily health promotion public service announcements (PSA’s) in Creole.

This programming addresses acute and chronic illnesses that are commonly found among members of the Haitian
population of South Florida. Through the radio program and the broadcast of PSA’s in Creole, the Center informs
Creole-speaking members of this underserved population about available health care services.

RADIO SHOW SCHEDULE:
Saturday 4:00pm - AM 1020 Radio MEGA, Miami, FL.
Wednesday 10:00pm - AM 1020 Radio MEGA,Miami, FL.

University of Miami Pediatric Mobile Clinic.
Established in 1992 as a response to Hurricane Andrew, the UMPMC has provided medical care to uninsured children in need for nearly two decades. Services provided include well-visits, sports physicals, immunizations, management of chronic conditions, urgent care, mental health, and social work. Major activities include::
1 - Providing direct primary medical care for nearly 3,000 children a year who are without health insurance and access to medical providers and linking those who need it to specialists;
2 - Providing mental health services for children and families identified to have specific needs;
3 - Providing prevention education and support to reduce obesity and tobacco use and other preventable disease;
4 - Assisting parents and grandparents with social service, case management and educational attainment issues to strengthening families and increase self-sufficiency;
5 - Educating caregivers, community members and stakeholders about the specific health and developmental needs of children; and
6 - Training future health care providers to meet the challenges of serving disadvantaged children, mentoring them to increase the numbers of those who will choose careers that serve the underserved..

The UMPMC is a fully equipped medical clinic on wheels that provides the following services to uninsured children in need:

  • Well-visits
  • Sports Physicals
  • Immunizations
  • Screenings (Vision, Hearing, Developmental)
  • Management of chronic illnesses
  • Sick Visits
  • Urgent Care
  • Referrals to Specialty care
  • Psychological Services
  • Mental Health Counseling
  • Social Services
  • Case Management

University of Miami Pediatric Mobile Clinic @ CHS

Every Tuesday: 9:00am - 3:00pm

Services are provided every Tuesday

from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and occasionally on Thursday.

For more information, please contact CHS at 305-757-9555

Haitian immigrants, for the most part, come from areas of Haiti where health care is a luxury that is afforded to a few, rather than a right available to the majority of citizens. Immigration to the U.S, however, does not eliminate health care access barriers, even though more resources are available. The low socioeconomic status, cultural stressors and other ecological factors suffered by immigrants continue to create barriers to adequate health care. In addition, Haitian immigrants lack information about the U.S. health care system and may not be eligible for benefits from insurers such as Medicare and Medicaid even under the Health Care Act (Obamacare).

Other factors such as illiteracy, language difficulties, cultural differences, and certain beliefs and practices also constitute major barriers to health care access for this population. Lastly, the stereotyping of Haitians by other ethnic groups contributes to keeping many Haitian immigrants from seeking health care from existing traditional institutions where few culturally sensitive programs are in place to address these barriers. The Center for Haitian Studies, Health and Human Services provides urgently needed, culturally competent primary care services designed to decrease the growing number of Little Haiti residents who may delay seeking health care, resulting in the worsening of treatable conditions or resort to emergency rooms for conditions that could be easily treated at the primary care level. Services available at the Center include: physical examination, health education, immunizations, cholesterol screening, blood sugar screening, blood pressure control, pregnancy testing, breast examination, vision screening, HIV testing/counseling, pediatric services and referrals to specialty care. Since the earthquake of 2010, there has been a notable increase in the need for mental health and pediatric services. At CHS, health care services are provided by highly qualified, culturally competent medical professionals from local universities, hospitals and community health care centers.

University of Miami Pediatric Mobile Clinic

Established in 1992 as a response to hurricane Andrew, the UMPMC has provided medical care to uninsured children in need for nearly two decades. Services provided include well-visits, sports physicals, immunizations, management of chronic conditions, urgent care, mental health, and social work. Major activities include:

- Providing direct primary medical care for nearly 3,000 children a year who are without health insurance and access to medical providers...

Read more

Serving the Underserved [VIDEO]

CHS is featured on Miamigration, a website dedicated to showing the New Miami as defined through the immigrant experience.

The Center for Haitian Studies in the Little Haiti neighborhood of Miami aims to serve the city’s underserved Haitian immigrants population. The clinic not only provides health services free of charge, but also provides patients with a culturally sensitive atmosphere. The clinic will accept, respect, and take care of anyone who needs medical attention.

UM OB/GYN Clerkship

CHS offers a culturally competent clerkship in the fields of Obstetrics and Gynecology for 3rd Year medical students from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (UM)...

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Annual Health Fairs

CHS, in collaboration with the Department of Community Service (DOCS) of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine conducts an annual health fair on the grounds of CHS. This health fair attracts between 300 and 500 members of the community who, for the most part, have no other means of receiving this type of specialized care from the best specialists in South Florida.... Read more

HIV/AIDS Testing, Counseling & Outreach

CHS conducts HIV Antibody testing as well as pre and post test counseling using ORASURE on a walk-in basis and by appointment with a certified counselor. This service is offered by CHS and is not funded by any private or government entity. Specimens are sent to the state of Florida, Miami-Dade … Read more

Health Education Radio Programming

Radio broadcasting is the principal medium by which to reach members of the Haitian population of South Florida. Under funding from the University of Miami Department of Family Medicine /Community Health (Area Health Education Center--(AHEC) and the Public Health Trust/Jackson Memorial Hospital... Read more

Academic Affiliations

 

CHS/GMHETC/Jackson Health System Medical Clerkships


The Center for Haitian Studies, Health & Human Services (CHS), in collaboration with The Jackson Health System (JHS) offers medical clerkships in various medical specialties and subspecialties. CHS offers these clinical rotations to medical students from international medical schools that meet the criteria for medical clerkships under the laws of the State of Florida and are certified by the State of Florida...

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Internal Medicine Foundation (IMF)


The Center for Haitian Studies/Greater Miami Health Education and Training Center (CHS/GMHETC) sponsors a 6-week  program for 2nd Year medical students. This program is designed to introduce medical students to clinical medicine. The program offers an excellent opportunity for medical students to develop clinical skills and to learn about culturally competent approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases among patients from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

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University of Miami OB/GYN Clerkship


The CHS OB/GYN Clinic is the only free community clinic they can access for basic gynecological and obstetrical care. Patients with abnormal pap smears and those who are diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer continue to have difficulty accessing the specialty services required for their care. CHS relies on its partnership with the Jackson Health System and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine...

Read More...

The Center for Haitian Studies,

Health and Human Services (CHS)

8260 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33138

(305) 757-9555