Florida State University faculty member Dr. Carli Culjat is partnering with HOPE Medical Clinic in Destin, Florida, to address the pressing issue of health literacy among Hispanic populations. This initiative is set to revolutionize healthcare delivery for non-English speakers and exemplifies the shared commitment of both institutions to fostering accessible healthcare and community well-being.

Dr. Culjat, an Associate Professor and Research Faculty member of the Florida FIRST program at Florida State University’s College of Nursing, has dedicated her career to improving health outcomes through education and research. Her latest project focuses on enhancing health literacy among the Hispanic community; a population that often faces significant barriers in accessing quality healthcare due to language barriers and issues surrounding effectively communicating medical jargon to patients.

HOPE Medical Clinic, known for its inspiring dedication to providing free medical care and medications to underserved populations in the Destin Area, has stepped up to assist Dr. Culjat in her research. Their mission is clear: to ensure that no one in the community is left without access to essential healthcare services. This clinic’s comprehensive approach includes free consultations, a pharmacy providing no-cost medications, and partnerships with local hospitals for pro-bono laboratory tests and surgeries.

Founded by Tim Roberts, a dynamic leader with a rich background in social work, EMT experience, and a degree in business communications, HOPE Medical Clinic has relentlessly sought innovative ways to serve its community.

“When we first started the clinic, we leaned on help from the community and the generosity of local churches who provided space for us to operate. Now we serve over 5,000 patients, and it’s so rewarding to see those same patients giving back and donating to the clinic,” said Roberts.

Roberts’ strategic alliances with local hospitals enhance the clinic’s service capabilities and contribute to reducing emergency room wait times, demonstrating an effective model of community-centric healthcare excellence.

Dr. Culjat’s research is set up to make significant strides in improving healthcare for non-English speaking populations. Her goal is to identify and implement strategies that ensure Hispanic patients receive comprehensive and understandable healthcare information, regardless of language barriers.

This collaboration with HOPE Medical Clinic will facilitate gathering data from the clinic’s patient population, which will provide insights into the community’s specific health literacy challenges and help develop targeted interventions. To prepare for this collaboration, the clinic’s staff visited FSU and underwent specialized training to effectively support data collection and patient engagement. This training, coordinated with the FSU College of Nursing, equips the clinic’s team with the skills needed to contribute actively to the study while continuing to provide compassionate care to their patients.