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Good Health Begins with Good Dental Care
Students Expand the Borders of Health
Kirk Smith has a challenge for people who think it's hopeless — that the poor and uninsured will never receive good medical care.
“Let them come here,” he says, “and see what we've done.”
“Here” is Cameron Park, one of the poorest neighborhoods around Brownsville, in the southern tip of Texas. Potholes crowd the pavement and squat houses line the dusty roads. The families who live here lack money and health insurance and – until recently – medical care.
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A medical student assesses the needs of a patient |
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Today, on a hot, windy December afternoon, medical care from Frontera de Salud (Frontier of Health) comes knocking at some of their doors. Founded and staffed by medical, nursing and allied health students from The University of Texas System health institutions, Frontera is committed to bringing primary health care to the underserved. On a typical weekend, the students will see 30 female patients for well-woman exams Saturday morning, a few homebound patients that afternoon, and another 25-40 the next day at a health fair.
A program like Frontera is critically needed in areas of South and rural Texas, said Dr. Ken Shine, executive vice chancellor for health affairs at the UT System.
“Texas has a significant shortage of physicians,” Dr. Shine said. “We have 152 physicians for every 100,000 people – compared with a national average of 220. That shortage is particularly serious in South Texas and other non-metropolitan areas of the state.
“Frontera de Salud is a truly magnificent example of students bringing care to those who need it. We're very proud of their efforts.”
Today, a 62-year-old patient sits in his living room and answers Kenny Kronforst's questions. Ms. Kronforst, a fourth-year internal medical student at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, is a native Peruvian.
The patient is relaxed, listening to her rapid Spanish. His wife sits next to him, listening intently. Behind them, a black-and-white photograph shows the couple together from decades before, their faces younger and smiling.
Four years ago, the man had a quadruple coronary bypass. Today, his blood pressure and pulse rate are satisfactory – testimony to the effectiveness of the many drugs he takes. His wife keeps all the drugs in a small green container, which she brings out to show the visiting health students.
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