Critical partnership provides primary medical care, health education and resources neeeded to improve health outcomes in the University Area Community
Tampa, FL — The efforts of the USF students who operate and run the BRIDGE Healthcare Clinic can be life-saving in the University Area Community where health disparities are substantial. Many residents suffer from high rates of HIV and other STDs, obesity, diabetes, stroke and heart attack. In addition, the infant mortality rate in the community is double that of the rest of Hillsborough County and Florida and is close to that of Malaysia.
The University Area Community Development Corporation recenlty donated $1,000 to the the BRIDGE Clinic, which works against these odds to provide free care to residents of this community through the collaboration of volunteer medicine, physical therapy, social work, public health, and pharmacy practitioners.
Dan Jurman of the University Area CDC presents a $1,000 donation to the outgoing and incoming student directors of the USF BRIDGE Healthcare Clinic.
“Our donation to the BRIDGE Clinic will help its volunteers continue the desperately-needed services they are bringing to University Area Community residents,” said Dan Jurman, UACDC executive director and CEO. “Better access to primary healthcare stabilizes parents and children, making them better able to perform at work and school and more likely to break the cycle of poverty. Together both organizations have committed to bring needed healthcare to the residents of the area, who are often uninsured, have limited transportation, and face other obstacles to getting necessary medical care.”
Now in its fifth year, the BRIDGE Healthcare Clinic continues to grow and serve the community through its clinic services, health fairs, and outreach and educational programs. This clinic would not function, however, without the support and donations of community members.
“The clinic requires more than 2,000 volunteer hours annually to operate, and even with that magnitude of volunteer support, we cannot provide services without in-kind donations and funding from the community,” said Cara Sullivan, co-director of the BRIDGE Clinic. “That’s why we’re so grateful for the support of the University Area CDC. Having a community partner that cares about the residents as much as we do helps us tremendously as we continue to look for ways to improve our clinic and the health of the University Area Community.”
BRIDGE stands for Building Relationships and Initiatives Dedicated to Gaining Equality.
Jurman says these hard-working college students more than live up to their name. “Together we can all strive to enhance the lives of those around us to help build a stronger community. These young people give me hope that a brighter future is within reach.”
To volunteer or donate to the BRIDGE Healthcare Clinic, please contact Kaitlin Holdstein at kholdste@health.usf.edu
ABOUT UACDC:
The University Area Community Development Corporation, Inc. (UACDC) is a 501(c)(3) public/private partnership whose mission is children and family development, crime prevention, and commerce growth. Its primary focus is the redevelopment and sustainability of the at-risk areas surrounding the Tampa campus of the University of South Florida. The UACDC was named nonprofit of the year for public and societal benefit by the Tampa Bay Business Journal in 2011 and 2012. It is headquartered in the University Area Community Center Complex, owned by Hillsborough County and operated by the UACDC, which is located at 14013 North 22nd Street in Tampa. For more information about UACDC, please visit www.uacdc.org or call Dan Jurman at 813-558-5212.
