Yasmin Meah, MD, Honored with 2007 Humanism in Medicine Award

The East Harlem Health Outreach Partnership (EHHOP), a free clinic founded and run by Mount Sinai medical students, for all patients regardless of insurance status or ability to pay was able to cut through red tape and open its doors, thanks to Yasmin Meah, MD.

When most physicians' offices and clinic doors are shut tight for the weekend, the doors of CAM remain open - not for business as usual, but for a rather unusual undertaking.

The East Harlem Health Outreach Partnership (EHHOP), a free clinic founded and run by Mount Sinai medical students, welcomes all patients regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.

A few students struggled for years to establish this free clinic. Then, one lucky day, news of their efforts reached the ears of Yasmin Meah, MD, Assistant Professor. She stepped in and helped the students overcome the legal and bureaucratic issues standing in their way. One year later, EHHOP opened its doors to East Harlem's largely uninsured and immigrant population.

Today, in addition to providing care to nearly 300 residents in one of the country's poorest neighborhoods, the program has inspired numerous students to make community service part of their professional lives. In part as recognition for her efforts on behalf of EHHOP, and recognizing her many other contributions to students, patients and the East Harlem community, Dr. Meah received the 2007 Humanism in Medicine Award from the American Association of Medical Colleges. She is the youngest person to ever receive this honor.