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Since its inception, the Dominican Health Care Association of Florida, Inc. (DOHCAF) has been hard at work fulfilling its mission to provide education, networking, and advocacy to its membership, health care professionals, and the community at large. DOHCAF, a 501 (c) (3) organization, was founded to recognize, promote, and support the great work of physicians and other health care providers that are either from the Dominican Republic, studied in the Dominican Republic, or have economic ties to these groups.Since its founding in January 2011 it has provided over 100 educational seminars, symposiums, and health care presentation, two health care congresses, and multiple networking and sponsor appreciation events. It has also honored its membership and affiliates with a recognition gala aptly named “Noche en Honor al Medico Dominicano” which has now been produced three years in a row and is recognized in the South Florida community as a premier physician event!
Additionally, DOHCAF has cemented its commitment to bringing a new generation of physicians into the practice of medicine in Florida by supporting its scholarship fund for newly trained physicians to obtain their license to practice medicine in the State of Florida and by forging alliance with educational institutions such as Barry University to become an internship rotation site for students in the Masters of Health Care Administration program.
For this work, DOHCAF has received numerous awards and recognitions including:
• 113th United State Congress Recognition
• Beacon Council, Finalist Award
• City of South Miami declaration of “Dia del Medico Domincano.”
• City of Hialeah d declaration of “Dia del Medico Domincano.”
• City of Coral Gables declaration of “Dia del Medico Domincano.”
These accomplishments would not have been possible without the commitment and support of its Board of Directors. Looking back at the last three years, Dr. Milton Jimenez, President of the Board and one of the founding members stated “In its three years of life, DOHCAF has exceeded its goal of bringing doctors and other health care professionals from cities all over Florida to share ideas and concerns and to join together through educational programs, networking events, and by supporting other organizations that are delivering care to the community. Every member and supporter gives us the strength to continue to grow under our philosophy of education and transparency.”
Dr. Amadeo Cabral, also a founding board member added “the association is working diligently to educate and inform physicians of the upcoming changes in health care and looking to be an active participant in support of managing these changes in a way that provide minimal disruption to physician practices and patient care. This is an example of how dynamic we are as an institution.”
Commenting on the success of the organization, Daisy J. Baez, member of the founding board and its current Executive Director, stated that “my history as a health care manager and director helped me put together the administrative foundation that has supported the growth and stability of the organization.” Finding, organizing, and reaching out to these physicians was one of the first tasks of the organization and one of its biggest challenges. “In essence it was one to one work. Every time we found a physician we would ask him or her if he knew of anybody else and invariably they did, so we would then reach out to these new referrals and the process would continue. It has been tedious work but very well worth it!”
With its unwavering commitment to maintaining, supporting, and expanding the organization the Board of Directors predicts an exciting future as nationally recognized organization that is an example of physician commitment to education and health care quality.
