Food Brings Hope partners with COAMED to bring health care to underserved communities

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Dr. Hernando Cardona, Dr. Nicolas Fernandez, patient Silvia Garcia, medical student Aida Arroyave and registered nurse Andres Arroyave. Courtesy photo
Dr. Hernando Cardona, Dr. Nicolas Fernandez, patient Silvia Garcia, medical student Aida Arroyave and registered nurse Andres Arroyave. Courtesy photo
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A team of Orlando doctors visited the San Jose Mission in Pierson on Saturday, Jan. 30, to provide needed medical check-ups for local Food Brings Hope adult literacy students, according to a press release.

The event was made possible by a partnership between FBH and COAMED, a non-profit organization established in 2015 to support underserved communities with preventative, therapeutic, supportive and rehabilitative health care services.  Residents received medical check-ups, and a pediatrician was on site to provide services as well. FBH states future visits are being planned with additional services to be added, including dental exams.

SMA and DBPD partner up

The SMA Healthcare Foundation recently announced that Macy's donated $10,000 to assist with the foundation's collaborative crisis response program with the Daytona Beach Police Department.

The money will go toward the purchase of iPads for the virtual mental health crisis response team for first responders, which will be used to help DBPD officers connect people in need with trained mental health professionals, according to a press release. This team will allow law enforcement officers or the person involved in the crisis to reach a live mental health professional 24/7 at the time of the incident.

“Community is at the heart of our Macy’s team and giving back is in our DNA,” said Kristen Twomey, store manager of Macy’s in the press release. “We are honored to provide support to such an incredible organization, whose impactful work plays a vital role in strengthening and enriching our community.”

Both SMA and DBPD intend to also fully resource a crisis response team to respond to non-criminal emergency 911 calls to reduce confrontations involving police officers, save money and lives by allowing police to concentrate on law enforcement, the press release states.

“I am extremely excited about this new initiative and partnership with SMA Healthcare” Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young said. “These iPads will allow us to provide immediate access to a mental health professional for those in our community experiencing a mental health crisis. Our officers now have another problem solving tool that will allow us to better assist our community. I want to express our sincere gratitude to Macy’s for the purchase of these iPads and to SMA Healthcare for providing the expertise that will save lives.”

COA adds Team Volusia CEO to board of directors

Keith Norden, president and CEO of Team Volusia Economic Development Corporation, has been elected to the Council on Aging of Volusia County Board of Directors. 

A graduate of Old Dominion University and the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma, Norden began his career in Virginia, according to a press release. In 2009, he was recruited as president and CEO of the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation. He moved to Volusia County three years later, and began to lead Team Volusia in 2012.

Norden has been involved with several professional and civic groups, including the Florida Economic Development Council, the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce, CareerSource Flagler/Volusia's business service committee and the Civil League of the Halifax Area. In 2016, he was awarded the Governor’s Business Ambassador Medallion for his contribution to economic development in Florida. Most recently in 2020, Team Volusia received the J. Hyatt Brown Enterprise Award by the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce.

“We are thrilled that Keith Norden has joined COA,” said Sarah Gurtis, president and CEO of COA in the press release. “He brings to our extraordinary board of directors additional business expertise and a sense of true compassion and concern for our local seniors.”

 

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