RaisingHealth and NYU Langone bring free hernia screenings to Sunset Park

On Saturday, April 4, RaisingHealth Partners hosted a free health fair at MADE Bush Terminal in collaboration with NYU Langone Health, providing free hernia screenings for residents of Sunset Park and neighboring areas.

“We want to bring out all members of our community to be able to have health education,” said Hewett Chiu, president, CEO and co-founder of RaisingHealth Partners, a nonprofit organization in Sunset Park. “We know particularly in our immigrant communities, there’s a lot of fear, there’s a lot of stigma, there’s a lot of discomfort with following through with the medical treatment that they need.”

To minimize that discomfort and uncertainty, attendees of the health fair had the opportunity to see the da Vinci 5 minimally invasive robotic surgical system in action. Attendees of all ages enjoyed controlling the ultra-precise robotic arms, and more importantly, they appreciated seeing surgeons use the surgical robot with confidence and describe the process for operating on a hernia.

“They asked very carefully what my symptoms, what my concern is,” said Vamness, a peer specialist with RaisingHealth who asked to be identified by his English name. A former Sunset Park resident who immigrated from China in 2010, Vamness was describing the conversation that took place during his health screening.

“They had the machine there,” Vamness explained, pointing toward the surgical robot, “to do a tiny surgery.” Vamness expects to go forward with laparoscopic hernia repair surgery and was relieved to hear his recovery time could be just two weeks long.

“A hernia is basically a defect in the muscle, or a defect in the tissue that overlies the muscle, that allows [protrusions] from one cavity into a space where they’re not supposed to be,” said Dr. Akuezunkpa O. Ude Welcome, the chief of surgery at NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn. She explained that, contrary to popular belief, hernias can happen at any age. While medical conditions like diabetes and unhealthy habits like smoking can increase someone’s chance of getting a hernia, healthy people can get hernias as a complication of surgery or as a result of intense pressure inside the body, like from excessive heavy lifting.

“Hernias are among the most common general surgery operations performed in the United States,” Dr. Ude Welcome continued. She was one of four surgeons present giving health screenings and conducting conversations about next steps for patients requiring care. Usually, patients bring concerns to their primary care doctor and have several more appointments before having hernia repair surgery. Many patients like Vamness begin this process but don’t make it to the operating room because of time constraints or insurance issues.

Having worked in the health insurance industry in the past, Vamness was proud to be a part of RaisingHealth. In addition to hosting events like these, RaisingHealth offers a range of free services, including health care navigation, mental health counseling, food assistance, ESOL classes, workforce development, Know Your Rights education, safety trainings, and wraparound social support.

“It has to be a multi-pronged approach,” Chiu explained. Someone may come to RaisingHealth for food assistance but discover their full range of services.

For example, one community member, Mahmoud, attends RaisingHealth’s English as a Second Language classes and received a flyer advertising the hernia screening event. He works as a parking attendant, which means a lot of standing, another risk factor for developing a hernia.

“My regular doctor is good also, but I didn’t tell him what happened in my body,” he explained. Although he has a primary care doctor, he didn’t feel hernia symptoms at the time of his last primary care appointment. “They told me something new about my health today,” Mahmoud reported, following his screening. Despite hearing that he has a hernia, he feels he is in good hands. “I feel comfortable. Positive.”

Several volunteers with NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn were present to help attendees register for their screenings.

“I see a lot of people participate in daily exercise, especially here in Bush Terminal,” said Melissa Arellano, a pre-PA student at Hunter College. A Sunset Park resident, she feels the community cares about its health and benefits from events like these.

At events like these, volunteers get a rare glimpse into specialized fields in health care, according to Rubina Budha Magar, a pre-health student.

“We can talk to doctors, make connections, make new friends,” she said. “It’s a good opportunity.”

Also in attendance were representatives from the office of Assembly Member Marcela Mitaynes. Jasmine, a constituent liaison who preferred to use only her first name, was proud of the office’s relationship with RaisingHealth.

“I personally believe in health care for all. I think it should be open and available to everyone. I don’t think there should be a barrier to it if you don’t have legal status, or the money for it,” Jasmine stated.

When asked about the status of health care access, Chiu was optimistic.

“Compared to a lot of other places, we are very lucky to be in New York State,” he asserted. Through more than 300 partnerships with local organizations, hospitals and health systems, corporate sponsors and government offices, RaisingHealth has helped over 150,000 immigrants since 2010, according to their website. “If it’s anywhere, it’s New York, that’s the place to be for health access.”