State health department recognizes Springs refugee program

Four Colorado Springs organizations will be recognized for their combined health care efforts to treat refugees relocating to Colorado Springs.

The Peak Vista Health Centers’ Myron-Stratton Family Health Center, Lutheran Family Services, the El Paso County Department of Health and Environment and AspenPointe all will receive the award from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

“CDPHE would like to recognize these agencies for their highly creative and successful efforts implementing one of the most efficient and effective refugee health screening, referral and follow-up care programs in Colorado,” said Dr. Lisa Miller, director of the disease control and environmental epidemiology division at the state health department.

The services are paid for by federal grants. Goals are to screen for communicable diseases, prepare newly arriving refugees for employment and to meet federal immigration health requirements.

Medical screenings are conducted on refugees before they arrive in the United States, but some still arrive with significant problems that can impede their ability to become self-sufficient, Miller said.

The partnership aids 150 refugees each year.

One Response to “State health department recognizes Springs refugee program”

1. Matt Says:
   September 15th, 2010 at 9:56 am

   Thanks for this article – we are very proud of this program! PS – the Myron Family Health Clinic is operated by Peak Vista Community Health Centers.