The current edition of the Florida International Medical Expo (FIME) goes beyond healthcare innovation. It highlights its commitment to sustainable practices and philanthropy with a vision that prioritises the well-being of our planet and its inhabitants. The show features a dedicated Charity Zone that showcases several strategic partnerships with various humanitarian organisations. These include the Ronald McDonald House, Image Assist, and Mercy Ships, each making a distinctive and positive impact on local and global communities.
For instance, the Ronald McDonald House Charities South Florida provides a home-like setting that eases financial and emotional burdens so families can provide their children with the love and support they need to get healthy. It is located on the grounds of the Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.
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Silvia “Bibi” Borges, Volunteer Program Manager at Ronald McDonald House Charities South Florida, shared: “Our charity has been in Miami for the past 41 years. We are a global non-profit organisation that helps keep families close and gives them a home away from home when a sick child is undergoing treatment at a local hospital. So, if a child is receiving critical medical care at one of our local hospitals and they live 20 miles away from the hospital, a social worker refers the family to us. We serve families not only from the US but, interestingly, 45 per cent of the families we serve are from all over the world.
Silvia “Bibi” Borges
“We are very grateful to be here at FIME and let people know about our charity, what we do, and see if anybody would like to help. We want to let people know of our incredible work. We are open if anybody would like to volunteer with us or help in any other way, such as making contributions or donating to our charity. I had the opportunity to meet people from all over the world at FIME, and many of them didn’t know about us. So, it has been great to be here and get the word out.”
Also exhibiting is Mercy Ships, which operates a fleet of the world’s largest charity hospitals to bring hope and healing to those who need it the most.
Kimberly Ames, Medical Sourcing Specialist at Mercy Ships, said: “An estimated 16.9 million people die globally every year because they can't access safe, affordable and timely surgical care. To meet the significant need, our volunteer crew helps to provide free lifesaving and life-changing surgery and medical training in low- and middle-income countries. We specialise in the sub-Saharan part of Africa and are currently in Senegal on the Global Mercy ship and are wrapping up our field service. We will then head to Sierra Leone around September and be on-field service for 10 months. We have two ships and will be serving two countries simultaneously. The Africa Mercy ship will head to Madagascar in February 2024.
Kimberly Ames
“We are at FIME to spread the word about Mercy Ships and share with people how they can join the cause. As a sourcing specialist, I identify and find volunteers to join us. We are looking for nurses, surgeons, and hospital support staff and are currently accepting applications.”
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Rounding out the Charity Zone is the Naples, Florida-based organisation, For WellBeing. While its impact extends to the far reaches of Ukraine, they are collecting donated medical equipment at FIME to aid hospitals and medical clinics in war-torn regions. Some of the equipment the charity is looking for includes an ultrasound machine, a mobile laboratory for phlebotomy testing, device for EEG, among others. The charity is also welcoming monetary donations to support psychological programmes for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The For Wellbeing team at FIME
The Miami Dade Animal Services (MDAS), a local organisation committed to finding homes for over 650 pets, is also present at the show. "We are profoundly grateful for the opportunity to bring some of these pets for adoption at this event," shared a representative from MDAS. "Not only does this help the shelter pets, but it also spreads awareness on the importance of vaccination and sterilisations for pets."
Visit the Florida International Medical Expo (FIME) in Miami to learn more.
