June 13, 2012

CONTACT:
Communications Department
(320) 251-2700, ext. 74980

CentraCare to host June 16 event for Somali community

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – CentraCare Clinic – Women & Children is hosting a community event for the Somali community from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, June 16 in the Mississippi Room at the St. Cloud Public Library. The goal of this event is to introduce CentraCare's new Community Health Worker Fatumo Abdul Kadir to the community and to improve clinic communication with the Somali community.

Fatumo, a Somalia native, is helping CentraCare create a developmental screening process for Somali children up to age 5 years and prenatal education to improve health care for the local Somali population. Fatumo meets regularly with Somali families in the community and has helped to educate CentraCare staff and providers about the Somali culture. She also is working to improve clinic communication with our Somali community.

Attendees will have an opportunity to view a CentraCare Clinic-produced video in the Somali language on the importance of well-child visits, breastfeeding, car seats, thermometer use and home safety.

This video script was written by Pediatricians Marilyn Peitso, MD, and Dale Minnerath, MD, and coordinated by Rosemond Owens, CentraCare's Cultural Competence and Health Literacy Specialist. The video was translated and produced with the help of a local agency. Somali actors and actresses were hired to portray the doctor, parents and child. The video was funded by the Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and will be shared with other health facilities across the state.

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