Coalition History
Over the past 15 years there has been exponential growth in the number of Hispanics/Latinos living in South Carolina. In 2000 Governor Jim Hodges, through the Commission of Minority Affairs invited Dr. Deborah Parra-Medina to chair the Governor’s Task Force on Hispanic Issues in order to help identify the needs of this population. Dr. Parra-Medina then asked Dr. DeAnne Messias to serve as the leader for the task force’s Hispanic health subcommittee to, more specifically, identify health care needs for Hispanics/Latinos living in South Carolina.
Fifty representatives of the Hispanic population including Hispanic-serving organizations, healthcare providers, and other interested parties from across the state came together and discussed the main issues that needed to be addressed to better this population’s health. The group identified topics such as healthcare access, cultural competency, cost, immigration issues and structural issues. After the task force met and identified these concerns, many of the members wanted to continue advocating for Hispanic health. This group formed an official organization, and in 2002 the South Carolina Hispanic/Latino Health Coalition was born.
Past Chairs |
|
DeAnne Messias Myriam Torres Edena Meetze Deborah Parra-Medina |
2006-2008 2004-2006 2002-2004 2001-2002 |
Calendar of Events
Aug
9
SCHLHC Outreach Committee
The Outreach Committee will meet at the 730 Devine Street Conference Room at 1:00 p.m. to continue planning the upcoming promotora conference.
Nov
19
Hispanic Leadership Council Conference
This will take place at the Embassy Suites in Greenville, SC, on Novemeber 19 and 20th. More information about this event will be posted soon.
Jan
28
Promotora Conference
A promotora or community health worker conference will be held in Columbia, SC, Friday Jan. 28 and Saturday, Jan.29. More information about the conference will be posted in soon.