Professor Honored for Volunteer Work

As a result of his over two years of volunteer work, Dr. Eduardo Castilla-Ortiz has been selected as Outstanding JayDoc Interpreter-Volunteer for the 2011-2012. JayDocFree Clinic is a free clinic operated by University of Kansas medical students under the supervision of attending licensed physicians. Its main goal is to "address the language, cultural, and financial barriers to health care access insurrounding communities by providing primary care services and preventive education at no charge, integrated with on-site language interpretation and adolescent youth outreach. The clinic is open to everyone, to serve especially the indigent, uninsured, Hispanic, adolescent youth, and people without access to basic health care."

Eduardo was invited to attend the Volunteer Recognition Ceremony on Friday, March 23.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that about 28,500 Wyandotte County residents, roughly 18 percent of the population, do not have health insurance. The clinic typically serves 10 to 25 patients per night. Last year alone, the clinic saw nearly 1,500 new or returning patients.

Eduardo says that he is glad to be a part of such free service 3 or 4 nights a month. "There I can also select what is a priority to teach my students here at MWSU when I teach SPA 211 Spanish for Medical Professions."

Congratulations to Eduardo for his recognition for this important work.