Page 13 - Ross Med Day CHS May 26 2026 PROGRAM

More than a healthcare clinic - a trusted lifeline for

Sou th Florida's underserved communities…

Visionary Leadership

Few understand the imminent shortage of physicians in South Florida, and how that shortage
is affecting the disenfranchised populations of Miami-Dade County, as well as Larry Pierre,
MD, MPH. During his fellowship in HIV/AIDS at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial
Hospital, Dr. Pierre saw the need firsthand. “There was a stereotyping of Haitians with HIV,”
he said. “It was a social stigma that pushed Haitians away and it made them shy away from
seeking care.”

In 1988, in partnership with the University of Miami, Dr. Pierre founded the Center for Haitian
Studies, Health and Human Services to serve the populations of Miami’s Little Haiti/Little River
neighborhoods. “I also realized there was a significant need to train future health care
providers,” said Dr. Pierre, who is still director of the center. “As large numbers of immigrants
arrive here, there’s an even greater need for culturally competent physicians to deliver the
services they need”.

“I want to improve access to health care The Future of Health Care

in immigrant communities and to

encourage more minority students to Medical residents are the future of our health care system,” he said. “I want to improve access
to health care in immigrant communities and to encourage more minority students to pursue
pursue careers in medicine.”
careers in medicine.” Toward that end, Dr. Pierre is a strong ­supporter of the University of
— Larry Pierre, MD
Miami’s Pediatric Mobile Clinic, which provides medical care to uninsured children, regardless
of their ability to pay or immigration status. He also has supported the Miller School Office of
Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement’s Future Medical Scholars Fellowship
Program, summer program for high school students with an interest in pursuing careers in
medicine.

A Passion for Patient Care, Equity, and Innovation

A Passion for Social Justice, Caregiving, and Mentorship

Nominated for the 2021-22 James W. McLamore Outstanding Service Award by a group of peers at

the University of Miami School of Law, Stephen N. Symes, MD, is an associate professor of clinical

medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Miller School of Medicine, and internist at the

University of Miami - Jackson Memorial Medical Center. When not caring for adult patients or
training m edical students and residents, he spends his time working with immigrants and
underserved communities.

Among his accomplishments during the past 16 years, Dr. Symes founded and serves as the

medical director of the Human Rights Clinic of Miami, an independent collection of medical

students, residents, and attending physicians who commit their time and ability to provide free,

impartial physical and psychiatric evaluations for asylum seekers and refugees in the United States.

Participants volunteer their clinical services to provide objective evidence for the court while

connecting patients to specialized care and learning how to best help marginalized patient

populations.
Two years into medical school at Howard University College of Medicine, Dr. Symes realized that Stephen Symes, MD, FACP
his role, w hich involved seeing patients at their bedside, talking through symptoms with them, and Medical Director, CHS;
overall problem-solving, was the perfect fit. “When you are in front of that person - struggling to Associate Professor, Miller

breathe, crying in pain, or desperate for help - you learn fast about making a meaningful School of Medicine
difference,” he explained.

RossMed Day 13