At iHelp, we utilize education as the underpinning of our efforts to foster sustainable, community-oriented programs that address healthcare disparities in the communities that we serve. Through our medical education initiatives, we strive to create effective, far-reaching programs in underserved communities in our practice regions. We do this through two main avenues:
By improving and enhancing communities’ existing educational system and implementing tailored health educational interventions, we aim to create positive health impacts through promotion of healthy habits and to improve competencies in addressing regional public health issues. We believe education can further our community by enabling individuals to obtain greater work opportunities and rewards, a greater sense of control and social support, and healthier behaviors.
We use the Service Learning and Community Based Medical Education model to enhance the education of future healthcare providers, enhance awareness of inequities, and instill a holistic view of healthcare practice. We believe that this outlook will enable students and future healthcare professionals to become more effective, empathetic, and ethical, as civic participants, and healthcare providers.
iHelp works with the communities it serves to contribute to and improve existing educational systems. We look for opportunities to improve infrastructure and technology. We research funding and look for educational resources and opportunities, with the goal of improving the lives of those within the local educational system. Through our focus on educational enrichment, we hope to contribute to the socioeconomic mobility of individuals in the communities we serve. See how we are contributing to educational enrichment through our programs in Ghana and Colombia.
In the service learning format, professionals and students bring technical and scientific expertise to the community to provide relief. Through serving others, they gain more than they give with knowledge from community members on culture, public health priorities, and the influence of social determinants on health. Increased community engagement and reciprocal knowledge transfer prepare students to practice in the rapidly changing healthcare environment—one that includes an important agenda of community accountability. Global health experiences increase awareness of international issues relevant to health, exposure to other cultures, languages and knowledge of other health care systems. Providing future healthcare professionals with training and hands-on opportunities enhances civic and social development. These experiences will benefit healthcare professionals and their patients, building more effective providers, who serve as both civic participants and health care professionals. We invest our efforts in nurturing culturally competent and empathetic professionals that are invested in applying their training in underserved parts of the world.
“In human nature lies a complex spectrum of emotions. To allow ourselves to feel these emotions lets us keep touch with our humanity. To be able to lend a helping hand is a beautiful thing, and to experience something that puts you on that whole spectrum is ineffable and beyond humbling…. and a learning experience in more than just medicine, I hope there are many more to come”
iHelp organizes, implements, and facilitates healthcare outreach programs for underserved populations and communities around the world. While the primary goal of these projects is to provide health care service in underserved and marginalized communities, they also provide opportunities for volunteers to work alongside medical professionals and directly with patients. Volunteers gain medical experience and a deeper understanding of the individual and communal impact of health care disparities. Through our domestic and international mobile and stationary clinic operations, individuals gain valuable experience and insight into the populatins they serve, while contributing to sustainable operations. We hope that iHelp’s greatest impact is providing future generations with the tools, insight, and experience to create solutions and drive the innovations that address disparities in health systems worldwide. See how we are providing service learning opportunities through our South Florida Homeless Outreach Programs, The Wayuu Clinic, and The Ghana Clinic.
Our Medical Director, Dr. Peebles, gives presentations to pre-med and undergraduate students at Florida universities. He covers how to pursue a career in the medical field and discusses the healthcare needs of the homeless.
Our internships offer leadership and resume-strengthening lessons. We also provide international education opportunities, such as teaching nutrition and physical activities to children in Medellin.
We are building two schools for the Wayuu community, with photos available in the "Colombia 2023" folder. More images will be added as our contacts provide them.
We focus on higher education and research sponsorship for the communities we serve. Our project, "Cultivating Nutrition: Hydroponic Solutions for Combating Malnutrition in Medellin's Underserved Communities," has been presented at major conferences, including the Global Health and Surgery National Conference and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine's DOCS Community Health Leadership Conference.
We help enhance our partner's capabilities by building their website and providing other support.
Info@ihelpnonprofit.org
