Refugee and Immigrant Medical Association

RIMA stands for Refugee and Immigrant Medicine Association. This group aims to address the disparities identified in the refugee/immigrant population of Roanoke by offering longitudinal educational guidance as well as providing resources for the children and their families to promote a healthier lifestyle in their own home.

An underlying goal of this group is to promote trust between the medical community and refugee/immigrant population. In order to establish this relationship, the project will partner with two local established refugee organizations (Roanoke Refugee Partnership and Commonwealth Catholic Charities) to reach out to this population.

This group is made up of VTC students and community members and its views don't necessarily reflect those of VTCSOM and its affiliates.

Goals

• Offering longitudinal educational resource for children and their families to promote a healthier lifestyle in their own home
• Promote trust between medical community and refugee/immigrant populations
• Support locally established refugee partnership organizations
• Respond to community needs
• Engage VTC students and community members through an annual Health Fair, volunteering opportunities and fundraising efforts.