May 28, 2010

Each month, approximately 150 immigrants are able to access often urgently needed care in a language they understand and the community they know, thanks to the Chinatown Clinic run by Drexel University College of Medicine.

For that reason, the Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition is honoring clinic founder and medical director Vincent Zarro, MD, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Medicine, as a Hero of Our Community. He will receive the honor during a June 10 reception in Center City.

Zarro started the Chinatown Clinic 12 years ago and continues to treat patients there free of charge, alongside an all-volunteer staff, which includes dozens of Drexel University College of Medicine students. The citizenship coalition credits Zarro for building a consortium of community partners consisting of medical professionals, social workers, religious leaders, legal experts, and trained interpreters to best serve the patients who use the clinic.

“We do this work because we are committed to the mission of the clinic to provide care to a medically underserved population who face many barriers to healthcare, including culture/language differences, long working hours and lack of ability to pay,” said Zarro. “By working together, even with our limited resources, we have been able to prevent death and disability for hundreds of patients and to make a difference in the lives of these individuals and their families. It is a great joy to work with volunteers who share a vision and a commitment to provide healthcare for all.”

The Chinatown Clinic/Newcomers Health Project is a collaboration of the Department of Medicine; the Women’s Care Center in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Sandra Wolf, MD, executive director; Holy Redeemer Chinese Catholic Church; Community Legal Services; and Bridging the Gaps.