Latino Family Heath Day returns to South Tahoe

By Denise Sloan Smart

When nearly 450 Latino community members showed up at the first Latino Family Health Day in 2009, organizers were excited, amazed and thrilled.

“We knew there was an enormous need for these free medical screenings for this population, all provided in Spanish, but we certainly didn’t expect this large of an enthusiastic turnout,” said Delicia Spees, executive eirector of the Family Resource Center, a nonprofit group dedicated to helping the Latino families in our community. “Needless to say, we were thrilled with the turnout and the eager participation in more than two dozen health screenings for the entire family. We know this year’s event is going to be even better.”

Sylvia Hurtado, right, Barton’s Occupational Health Services assistant, provided vision screening at last year’s Latino Family Health Day. Photo/Provided

The second annual Latino Family Health is May 26 at Bijou Community School from 3-7pm.

More than two dozen free medical screenings and health-related booths will be available, in Spanish for the Latinos, and in English for the entire community. This event will serve as one of Barton’s free health checks, which are offered as a community service to help keep all of locals healthy.

“We’re pleased to open Bijou School for this important health event,” said Karen Tinlin , principal of Bijou Community School. “We’re also impressed that, in this economy with all the nonprofits not receiving the usual support they receive, Barton Health is teaming up with so many other area non-profits to bring these many free health screenings to our community, when we all need them most.”

Barton Health spearheaded the event and is providing nearly a dozen of its departments that are working with the Latino Affairs Commission, Barton Foundation, Lake Tahoe Unified School District, South Lake Tahoe Women’s Center, Family Resource Center, El Dorado Public Health Department, Embassy Suites, physician Jenifer Norris of Alpine Family Practice, Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra, South Tahoe Public Utility District and South Lake Tahoe Optimist Club.

Barton gladly issues an invitation to other area non-profit organizations that would like to offer a health-related service at this event to call Sue McLaughlin at (530) 543.5615.

There will be lots of children’s fitness activities and crafts, more than 20 interactive health related booths and medical screenings, barbecue, food and fun for the entire family and plenty of Spanish speaking representatives. Everyone in the community is invited to participate.

Bijou Community School is at 3501 Spruce Ave., South Lake Tahoe.

Denise Sloan Smart is Barton Health’s communications specialist.