If you happen to be near Jackson Memorial Hospital, you’re invited to visit the Miami-Dade County Health Department’s brand new state of the art health center. The main reason to visit can be found hanging in the lobby window. A magnificent two-story stain glass collage depicting the history of medical care and public health in South Florida.The collage is the work of New Orleans Artist, Nancy Gutkin O’Neil’s. Entitled, “Compassionate Action” in which each of the colorful bays depicts pivotal moments in our county’s history.
Highlights of the piece include:
• Miami Circle – Tequesta Indians – Herbal Medicines
• 1926 Hurricane – Hurricane Andrew
• Early 19th Century Medical Equipment• Communicable Diseases
– Yellow Fever
– 1918 Spanish Influenza
– Polio
– Tuberculosis
– AIDS
– H1N1
Also depicted are such medical luminaries as Joseph E. Porter, Florida’s First Public Health Officer from 1889-1917, Dr. James M. Jackson, Miami’s First Physician, and all directors/administrators of the Miami-Dade County Health Department.
Dr. Lillian Rivera, administrator for the Miami-Dade County Health Department cordially invites all of you to take a colorful trip down memory lane, though the eyes of a talented artist while learning about two thousand years of our medical history.
