Dr. Chakhtoura and DOCS volunteers speak to a patient at the Little Haiti Health Fair.

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or 305-609-2726
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Project Prevent

OBGYN and DOCS Team up to Help Prevent Cervical Cancer

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Mitchell Wolfson Sr. Department of Community Service Program [DOCS], the student-run volunteer organization at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, are providing qualifying women with free cervical cancer screening and education, and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination.

This broad initiative, called Project Prevent, provides free services to uninsured women in targeted communities throughout Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe counties. Women ages 19 to 49 are eligible for cervical cancer screening and education, and women ages 19 to 26 are eligible for the HPV vaccine. Project Prevent serves women who do not have access to preventive services and have the highest incidence of disease in the South Florida area (see HPV by the numbers).

Directed by Nahida Chakhtoura, M.D., director of the department’s Division of Gynecology/Generalist and chief of service of Gynecology and Women’s Health Services at University of Miami Hospital, Project Prevent includes a team of DOCS volunteers, a nurse practitioner and a health educator. This team works with partner organizations in executing a culturally competent public awareness campaign that informs women about cervical cancer and the importance of early detection.

Under the direction of UM faculty, patients undergo cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination at scheduled DOCS health fairs and weekly clinics. Follow-up treatment for abnormal Pap tests is provided through an established network of community-based clinics.