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Description of Organization:
Founded in 1876, Meharry Medical College is the largest private independent historically black college dedicated exclusively to the biomedical sciences. Meharry Medical College’s threefold mission is to: 1) provide excellent education and training in the health sciences with special emphasis on providing opportunities for ethnic minorities and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds; 2) deliver high quality patient-centered health care services; and 3) conduct biomedical research that fosters improved health outcomes and the elimination of health disparities. Throughout its history, Meharry has met the charge and challenge of its mission by focusing on the diseases, health conditions and disparities that disproportionately affect poor and ethnic minority populations in underserved communities throughout the United States.

Description of project:
Meharry Medical College seeks to implement a bilingual/bicultural demonstration project to: 1) reduce adverse maternal and neonatal health outcomes associated with gestational diabetes in Hispanic patients seen in the obstetrics clinics attended by Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) faculty members, and 2) increase a Hispanic community’s awareness of best perinatal health practices in a culturally competent manner. Our partners in this program are The Tennessee Foreign Language Institute and the YMCA-Hispanic Achievers Program from Middle-TN. This demonstration project will employ a bi-directional instructional approach. Briefly, non-Spanish speaking health care providers will be provided continuing education in medical Spanish and cultural competency. Medical English, prenatal and nutritional counseling with be made available to our OB/GYN patients and Hispanic families.