By L. Roxana Pineda, MPH, Coordinator of the Ventanilla de Salud at Mexican Consulate in Austin, Migrant Clinicians Network

Earlier this month, Migrant Clinicians Network and the Ventanilla de Salud in Austin, Texas, celebrated the 20th anniversary of Binational Health Week, which has continued year after year thanks to the collaboration of the Mexican Ministry of Health, the Institute of Mexicans Abroad (IME), the different Mexican Consulates in the United States of America, and local agencies and health organizations in the US.

As every year, at the end of September, we at the Ventanilla de Salud in Austin have the Binational Health Week kick-off, which aims to connect the Latinx community with the different agencies and institutions that provide health services, information, and resources in our community. Although the event is called Binational Health Week, this celebration lasts throughout the month of October and different activities are carried out in conjunction with the agencies with which we have established relationships throughout the year.

This year, the whole world has been affected by the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.  As a result, the Consulate General of Mexico in Austin held the Binational Health Week XX virtually. Different presentations were given using platforms such as Zoom and Facebook Live. Thanks to the support of doctors, teachers, nurses, and representatives of institutions such as the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Austin Public Health (APH), Migrant Clinicians Network, National Kidney Foundation, Baylor Scott and White, CommUnity Care, Austin Public Library, United Healthcare, and Zenfit, valuable information was provided to help promote disease prevention and health care. 

Over the course of four hours, the audience was given conferences and information on services, resources, and updates that the different organizations continue to offer, and that are of the utmost importance to maintain a healthier community.

We particularly appreciate the participation of the MCN team in the planning, preparation, and organization process to achieve this ambitious project of being able to simultaneously offer three rooms with different options to the audience: Martha Alvarado, Giovanni López-Quezada, Deliana García, Jessica Calderón, Verónica Torres, and Diana Cañas.

Likewise, our deep gratitude for their participation as speakers: Myra Pena-Delgado, MD; Marysel Pagan Santana, PhD; Ileana Aguilar;  Mtra. Alejandra López; Mtra. Marcela Rosas; Irene García; Erica Castillo; Lynce Espinoza; Irene Magana-Noverola; Heidi Urbina; Maralinda Pérez-Rivera; Nelda García RN, BSN, CPN; and Horacio Huerta. Many thanks to Consul Pablo Marentes, Ana Carrasco, and Miguel Soto of the Consulate General of Mexico in Austin.

Migrant Clinicians Network, the Consulate of Mexico in Austin, and Ventanilla de Salud Austin appreciate the collaboration of all the organizations that participated: United Healthcare, Sonrisas Dental, Project Access, Austin Public Health, Baylor Scott and White, U.S. Hispanic Contractors Association, Austin Public Library, SAFE, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Zenfit, CommUnity Care, National Kidney Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Mama Sana-Mujer vibrante, Texas Organ Sahring Alliance, Superior Healthplan, Dell´s Children Healthplan, Saber es Poder, Sustainable Food Center, Bookspring, Strong Family Alliance, Central Health, El Buen Samaritano, Lone Star Circle of Care, Inspirare Mujer, Foundation Communities, WIC, Underage Drinking Prevention Program (UDPP), Entérate Texas, Reporte Austin, El Mundo News Paper, and 107.1 radio La Z.

Learn more about the partnership of Ventanilla de Salud and Migrant Clinicians Network:
https://www.migrantclinician.org/blog/2016/jul/ventanilla-de-salud-and-migrant-clinicians-network%E2%80%99s-new-partnership.html

Follow the Ventanilla de Salud Austin on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/VentanillaSaludAustin

Access one of the recordings from the virtual Binational Health Week XX kick-off:
“¿Cuál es Mi Riesgo y Cómo Me Protejo Del COVID-19?” presented by MCN’s Marysel Pagán Santana, DrPH, MS: https://youtu.be/n-Twdxy2ytk

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