Immigration as seen from the border: Stories from the frontlines

Immigration as Seen from the Border: Stories from the Front Lines

Marsha R. Griffin, M.D.
Professor, Pediatrics
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine
Director, Division of Child and Family Health
Director, Community for Children

Academic medical centers across the nation are finding that the frontlines of immigration policy and global health have arrived in their own communities. Today, when the stakes are higher and disparities greater, academic medical centers are challenged to provide quality care to the immigrant population in their midst. Lack of legal immigration status negatively affects the physical and mental health of patients. Frontline clinical staff are impacted by the fear and stress experienced by their immigrant patients. This session will discuss the current experiences of immigrant children on the border and how communities, hospitals and academic medical centers are harnessing their expertise to provide quality care to children and families who have immigrated and improve health in their community.