Ismael and Ismel, two brothers from Venezuela, recently visited the doctor for the first time since settling in Chicago two months ago. It was not an easy journey according to their mother, Maria Magdelena Andarra.
Yolanda Peña, founder of Life Impacters Foundation, translated Andarra’s conversation with NBC Chicago and noted that the brothers suffer from asthma. Peña stated that health care is the greatest need outside of work and housing.
The Life Impacters Foundation arranged for Andarra’s family and forty other migrants to receive treatment at Near North Health Center on Thursday.
The chief interim medical officer at Near North Health is the esteemed doctor Dan Vicencio. Vicencio came to the United States from the Philippines at three years old and now helps others in the same situation. He and his staff treat a range of conditions including trench foot, musculoskeletal issues, colds and flu, depression, and the consequences of sexual violence.
On an average day, Near North Health will see roughly sixty migrants. As a federally-qualified health center, they have dedicated and generous resources to help the community.
The number of migrants needing medical care has led to a demand for more bilingual health care workers. Vicencio wishes to make this clear: “We welcome any staff members who do have skills to help us in all of our sites throughout the city.”
This is an inspiring story of two brothers who came all the way from Venezuela to receive medical treatment. The generosity of the Life Impacters Foundation and Near North Health is remarkable, allowing many migrants to get the care they need and deserve. The doctors and medical workers at Near North Health go above and beyond to make sure no one goes without the necessary treatment.
Migrants from all over the world are increasingly streaming into Chicago for medical care, and Near North Health is here to ensure they are treated with compassion and respect. The story of Ismael and Ismel is a story of overcoming challenges and finding hope in unfamiliar lands. It is a story of success born from difficulty, but mostly, it is a story of human kindness.
