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Dr. Cheryl L. Holder is one of CHI’s newest internal medicine providers at the Doris Ison Health Center. She will also serve as residency program faculty for the Brodes H. Hartley, Jr. Teaching Health Center. She is a graduate of Princeton University and George Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Holder has dedicated her career to improving the health of underserved populations as a National Health Service Corp Scholar, Internist, and HIV specialist. She is a fierce advocate for climate change and had the wonderful opportunity to host her own TED talk on the subject. Dr. Holder brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this role and is excited to be at CHI, continuing her work of giving back to the South Florida community.

Dr. Cheryl L. Holder joinged CHI in 2023

Esmeralda Torres, PFSS, works at the Martin Luther King Jr. Clinica Campesina Health Center. She has been a devoted employee at CHI for 23 years. A self-proclaimed “people person,” she loves what she does and enjoys helping the community. The most rewarding part of her job is helping people. She takes great pride in putting a smile on their faces and seeing them return after a successful visit with a provider. It is a rewarding feeling when patients thank her for connecting them with a doctor. Beyond her professional commitments, Torres’ pride and joy is her family. She often spends her free time with her two children and grandchildren. She is passionate about teaching them the importance of family.

Esmeralda Torres at Martin Luther King Jr. Clinica Campesina Health Center

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Behavioral Health Medical Director, Dr. Howard Pratt

In 2022, suicide deaths rose approximately 2.6 percent from the prior year, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The shocking rise brings the CDC’S estimated number of deaths to nearly 50,000, revealing an alarming trend in suicide rates. Dr. Howard Pratt, Behavioral Health Medical Director at Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI) highlights the concerning nature of this situation.

“Suicide rates have been increasing in the United States for several decades,” he said. “Anxiety and depression are at an all-time high. More than 49,000 people we know have died by suicide, but that number is not fixed, it is something that is going to increase as we investigate this a bit more.”

CDC research suggests that the rise in suicide rates is due to factors such as limited access to healthcare and job and financial problems or loss. This has unfortunately created a sense of hopelessness in some groups who were already experiencing daily stresses. Social distancing during the pandemic also had a lasting impact on people’s mental health, according to Dr. Pratt.

“During the pandemic, people were left with more time to themselves,” he said. “When you take away the distractions of everyday life, you get faced with having to deal with the way you have been feeling for a long time.”

One group that saw the largest increase in suicide deaths in 2022 was people ages 65 and older.

“For the elderly and for all people, having a sense of purpose is really important,” Dr. Pratt said. “Especially for this age group, part of their identity has been that they are strong, and they are the support of their family. They were just at a state where they never talked about their mental health and now for the first time, they are seeking help and that was the group that had the largest increase in suicide. It was a 35% increase in people over the age of 65.”

Mental health plays a vital role in our overall well-being. With suicide being one of the leading causes of death in the United States according to CDC data, Dr. Pratt urges those who are struggling with their mental health to speak to a professional as soon as they can. CHI offers behavioral health services and aims to connect the community to essential care.

“At CHI you have people like me, I am an adult and child psychiatrist, we have therapists here, we have a lot of resources,” he said. “Connecting to resources is the most important thing. It might not start with behavioral health; it may be with your family physician. With kids, it may be at school. At CHI, patient care comes first and that includes mental health.”

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September 15 to October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month, a special time to celebrate the culture, history, and strength of Hispanic people. But, it is also important to talk about Hispanic health.

“Good health means understanding what everyone needs. At Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI), we’re working hard to better understand and help with the health problems that are common in our community,” says Dr. Edwin Bosa-Osorio, MD at CHI.

One out of every five Hispanics does not have health insurance, which is much higher than non-Hispanic whites. Without insurance, doctor visits can cost a lot, so some people skip important health check-ups. But at CHI, there is healthcare for everyone. They have a team of enrollment specialists to help people enroll in different insurance plans. Even if someone doesn’t have insurance, CHI still offers highquality healthcare on a sliding fee scale based on the person’s income.

“Living a long life is great, but we want it to be a healthy one,” said Dr. Bosa-Osorio. “We’re here to help everyone get the medical care they need, regardless of their income.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hispanics have higher rates of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. In 2020, a big cause of death was COVID-19. Plus, Hispanic people also struggle more often with being overweight and pregnancy and birth issues.

“Some of these things develop in part by genetic factors,” said Dr. Bosa-Osorio. But some of it is due to lifestyle, diet and exercise. As a clinician, I look at all the factors and find the best treatment plan for that individual.”

But CHI can help keep our community healthy. With many health services, from pediatrics to family medicine, dental care, OB/GYN, urgent care, behavioral health and much more—CHI can help patients and their whole families live healthy lives.

“We do more than just fix problems. We want everyone to be fully healthy. At CHI, we want people in the Hispanic community to know they’re important, heard, and taken care of,” Dr. Bosa-Osorio explains.

This month, while celebrating the rich culture and history of Hispanic people, the CHI team reminds everyone that health matters and that they are always ready to help and support everyone in the community.

Do you want to focus on being healthy? Need to know more or make an appointment? Visit chisouthfl.org or call (786) 272-2100. Let’s make our whole community healthier together.

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We are not yet out of the woods with COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This summer season, BA.2.86 and EG.5 emerged as new strains of the virus that causes COVID-19. All viruses evolve over time and these strains are called “variants.” These changes can affect how contagious a virus is and how severely it affects people. The latest variants have already initiated a surge in infections across the country. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), EG.5 became the dominant variant in August 2023, and they have labeled it as a “variant of interest.” BA.2.86, although less widespread, carries many variations.

“EG. 5 currently represent 25% of all COVID-19 cases,” said Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI) Infection Control Specialist, Lara Nazon. “The same precautions should be taken as with earlier variants.”

The rise in cases is concerning. However, there have been no reports of an increase in disease severity, WHO states.

“Symptoms for these strains are less severe. However, it is more contagious and spreads faster,” said Patricia Philippe, Director of Education Infection, Prevention and Control at CHI. “That is why we are seeing an increase in cases.”

Philippe also says that low testing numbers are contributing to the spread of the disease.

“People are testing less,” she said. “Some are thinking that if they do not test, they are not infected.

The WHO also warns that even though the risk for severe cases and hospitalizations with the EG.5 variant is low; people should still take precautions. Philippe stresses that certain groups are more vulnerable to the disease and that adopting the necessary measures to protect you and your family will make a meaningful impact.

“Someone who is immunocompromised or has a weaker immune system can contract the disease from an asymptomatic person,” Philippe said.

“If you have COVID-19, it is important to protect your families, especially the elderly. You must test and isolate yourself as soon as you experience symptoms. Hygiene, social distancing and washing your hands will help to slow transmission.”

The CDC and other experts are closely monitoring both variants. More data is needed to see how the viruses will trend.

“We are in close contact with the CDC and are following COVID-19 guidelines,” said Philippe. “There is currently a peak at this time but in terms of severity and how it will trend, we do not yet know.”

Nazon advises people to not let their guard down. The most important preventative measure is to be up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters and stay informed on how the virus is transmitted.

“COVID-19 is still here, and it is still spreading the same as before,” Nazon said. “If you are in a crowded or closed space, wear your mask. If you are coughing and have symptoms, wear a mask, and always maintain good hygiene.”

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Semein “Junior” Ayala has been an Outreach Worker at Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI) since April 2022. He is based out of the Everglades Health Center and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Clinica Campesina Health Center. He also works on CHI’s Mobile Medical Van. Ayala serves as a crucial link between the community and CHI’s health centers. He dedicates himself to educating the community about the services provided by CHI, helping individuals navigate Medicaid and insurance coverage, and frequently organizing events. Ayala deeply treasures the relationships he builds with people, considering it his greatest achievements to secure their access to high-quality healthcare. On the weekends, he enjoys resting at home, watching tv and preparing delicious meals for his family.   

Semein Ayala stands in front of CHI’s Mobile Medical Van

Rubis Vergara Ramirez is an APRN at CHI’s South Dade Health Center.  She started working at CHI in 2011 as a Site Manager at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Clinica Campesina Health Center. She enjoys working with minority groups and the underserved population. Now as an APRN, she works directly with patients and prides herself on providing the very best care. Her favorite part of the job is hearing success stories from her patients who are in better health after their visits. When Vergara Ramirez isn’t saving lives at CHI, she loves to cook, go to the beach and travel.  

Rubis Vergara Ramirez, employed at CHI for more than a decade, at South Dade Health Center