Camillus Health Concern – An Idea Worthy of a Presidential Medal of Freedom
Dr. Pedro Jose Greer, Jr.
President Barak Obama awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Dr. Pedro Jose “Joe” Greer, Jr. this week. The White House comment on Dr. Greer’s work follows:
Dr. Pedro Jose “Joe” Greer Jr. has devoted his career to improving medical services for the uninsured. A native of Miami, he followed his passion for helping others to medical school and founded the Camillus Health Concern (CHC) in 1984 as a medical intern. Today, CHC treats thousands of homeless patients a year, serving as a model clinic for the poor and inspiring physicians everywhere to work with indigent populations. Dr. Greer’s tremendous contributions to the South Florida community and our nation as a whole stand as a shining example of the difference one person can make in the lives of many.
The Camillus Health Concern, named in honor of St. Camillus de Lellis, patron saint of nursing, has been a leader in providing health care services to low income and homeless residents of Miami-Dade County since 1984. The work of the Brothers of the Good Shepherd at Camillus House (founded in 1960), including providing food, shelter, housing, rehabilitative treatment, and health care for the poor and homeless, is an example of ways the Gospel call to service of “the least of my brothers and sisters” is being lived in our day. The fruit of Dr. Greer’s work, begun while still a medical intern, to add primary care health services to the mixture of services at Camillus House is recognized by this award.
A video of the Presidential Medal of Freedom award ceremony may be seen here.
We at Theologika.net add our congratulations to Dr. Greer and the other winners of the Medal of Freedom.
I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Greer while I was seating on a hallway at Florida International University. He passed by and saw me studying for a test; he kindly asked me about my upcoming test and wished me good luck. Today I saw him again at a presentation for pre-medical students at FIU, and I was touched by every word he said. I had never met such an inspiring person, I have no words to express my emotions but he is everything I would like to be. Thank you Dr. Greer for inspiring me to be the best doctor, I’m sure your family and your sister is very proud of you. My story is very similar to yours and I know what it feels to lose someone special. Meeting you today was an unforgettable experience.
Thank you for sharing your stories with us!
Regards,
Yanet Diaz
Please keep in mind that you can have the same effect on others. A kind, interested word of encouragement can change a life. This is one of the ways that we are Christ to each other.