Health

Latin dancing is returning to the Pompano Beach Cultural Center. Following on the heels of the Center’s much-beloved dance series Sabado de Salsa, Pompano’s newest participatory dance program will be kicking off in October. Presented by renowned Latin dancer and instructor Alex Bezianis of Poppin’ Events, Baila Pompano will include salsa, bachata, and other Latin dances, with each event including a one-hour dance class, a live eight-piece band, a DJ, and performances by professional dancers. The program will be held quarterly at the Center, starting at 8pm, Friday, October 21, 2022. The series continues February 17, May 19 and September 15 of 2023, with the final night of the program kicking off Hispanic Heritage Month. Tickets are $20. Drinks and snacks available. For more information: www.pompanobeacharts.org.

Broward HealthPoint Mobile Unit Rolling Into to a City Near You

By Attiyya Atkins

Healthcare on wheels is coming to those who need it the most – the uninsured.

Broward Health has unveiled its newest addition to help tackle healthcare disparities in Broward County.

Don’t let the exterior fool you, the unit has enough space for a nurse practitioner, a licensed practical nurse, two exam rooms, a waiting room, a telehealth area, specialized machines for cardiology and mammograms, and is handicap accessible. The employed medical professionals speak English, Spanish, and Haitian-Creole. There is also a language line that allows medical professionals to connect with people who speak any language, including Russian, Portuguese, and more.

“We want to empower health in those that are uninsured and don’t even have Medicaid,” said Dr. Aldo Calvo, Medical Director of the Ambulatory Division at Broward Health.

The Healthpoint mobile unit is the result of a county-wide study with the Broward Regional Health Planning Council to identify our community’s barriers to healthcare. One barrier the study found was that people who did not have health insurance were using the emergency rooms within hospitals for issues that could have been handled with a general physician. Within this population, not having blood pressure medicine, or depression and anxiety medicine warranted a trip to the emergency room.

“These things shouldn’t be considered an emergency,” Calvo said.

Another benefit of the mobile health unit is that it can reduce the burden on local emergency rooms.

The mobile health unit is available to community partners throughout Broward County. Calvo said that there are plans to partner with organizations that help the homeless and faith-based groups to assist in providing medical, emotional, and behavioral care.

“Any organization that has a need can call us,” said Calvo.

The care provided is for patients 18 and older. There is no pediatric service or prenatal care, although the mobile unit can refer those in need to other physicians. All care is provided by appointment only. No walk-ins.

To schedule the Broward HealthPoint mobile health unit, community organizations can call 954-473-7061.