CHI CELEBRATES A WEEK OF CARE, COMMUNITY AND GIVING BACK

Event attendees taste the healthy food prepared by CHI during the live food demonstration..

For Lisa Luis Capers, healthy eating was not always something she enjoyed, or even wanted to try. Capers knew she had to make changes when she was diagnosed with pre-diabetes, but changing the way she ate was easier said than done.

“I would never eat anything that is green, honestly,” said Capers. “I can’t eat food that does not look appetizing or delicious.” 

That began to change when she attended a healthy food demonstration at Community Health of South Florida, Inc.’s (CHI) Doris Ison Health Center during National Health Center Week. The organization hosted a week’s worth of festivities for patients, staff and community partners. 

Capers was among nearly 50 patients who attended the first event of its kind hosted by CHI for patients linked to chronic health conditions. The demonstration focused on raising awareness about diabetes and healthy eating while showing patients that nutritious meals can also be flavorful and enjoyable. 

Seasoned Chef, Robbie Brinson III, from the EatWell Exchange prepared healthy dishes live, giving attendees the opportunity to see how simple ingredients can be transformed into meals they could recreate at home. 

Capers was surprised by what she tasted. 

“When I tried that pesto today, it was delicious,” Capers said. “I’m going to show my husband, and we are going to change our diet and cook healthy now.” 

Chef Robbie Brinson III prepares a healthyand delicious pesto pasta paste while he and Ashley Carter, dietitian and Eat Well Exchange program director, answer questions from the audience.

The event went beyond food preparation, giving attendees a closer look at how nutrition can affect both physical and emotional health. A dietitian explained how different food choices affect the body, including how certain foods can cause blood sugar levels to spike. A food psychologist also shared strategies for navigating the emotional challenges that can come with a diabetes diagnosis, from monitoring blood sugar with the support of family members to maintaining positive mental health.

For Capers, the experience helped challenge her perception that healthy food could not also taste good.

“Most times they say healthy foods aren’t delicious, but everything I ate here today was delicious,” she said. “Today taught me that those foods that are good for us, you can still cook them to be good and tasty.”

Now, Capers hopes to continue losing weight and making healthier choices to avoid becoming prediabetic again. More importantly, the event showed her that doing so does not have to mean giving up the foods she enjoys.

“I’m glad that people at CHI care enough about us to have these programs,” she said. “To teach us how to eat healthier and better in order to stay healthier and live healthier lives.”

The healthy food demonstration was one of several ways CHI celebrated National Health Center Week, held August 2–8. The nationwide observance recognizes the role community health centers play in providing accessible, affordable and high-quality care to millions of patients. At CHI, the week was an opportunity to celebrate the organization’s more than 55 years of service while highlighting the people and programs that make its mission possible. 

CHI celebrated throughout the week with activities designed to recognize its employees, engage patients and give back to the South Florida community. Staff Appreciation Day brought a special celebration for CHI employees, including major giveaways such as a television, gift cards and other prizes as a thank-you for their dedication and hard work. School Physical Day helped families prepare for the new school year by providing children with access to affordable school and sports physicals, reinforcing CHI’s commitment to keeping children healthy and ready to learn. 

CHI also recognized and supported the communities it serves through outreach efforts. During a Farm Share food distribution, families participated in a drive-through event where they received essential food items, including chicken, bread, milk and other groceries. The distribution provided families with additional resources to help put food on the table while giving CHI an opportunity to connect with patients and community members beyond the walls of its health centers. CHI also provided health and dental screenings and other services for agricultural workers, reflecting its commitment to meeting people where they are and addressing the health and social needs that impact their well-being. 

CHI volunteers and staff help put food items together before the start of the
FarmShare food distribution event.

The week also included an opportunity for CHI to recognize the community leaders and partners who help make its work possible. During Partner Appreciation Day, CHI presented gifts of appreciation to community partners and leaders as a thank-you for their continued support and collaboration. These partnerships are essential to CHI’s ability to expand access to care, connect patients with valuable resources and address the changing needs of the communities it serves. The recognition highlighted the shared commitment between CHI and its partners to create healthier and stronger communities throughout South Florida. 

Children smile with their white coats during CHI’s Back to School Physical Day.

National Health Center Week also provided an opportunity for CHI to look toward the future. President and CEO Blake Hall shared his vision for the organization, emphasizing the importance of continuing to expand access to care, strengthening community partnerships and investing in the next generation of health care providers. Through its Teaching Health Center program, CHI continues to train future physicians while giving them valuable experience caring for underserved communities. 

From healthy cooking demonstrations and food distributions to employee celebrations, school health services and community partnerships, CHI’s National Health Center Week activities reflected what community health care is about: caring for the whole person, supporting the community and making a lasting difference in the lives of those it serves. 

Patient Financial Services Specialist, Gabriela de Leon, assists Dental Hygienist, Kaylia Watson, while she performs a dental cleaning on an agricultural worker.