Pro Bono Medical Network
A Tahirih Client Story
Myra’s Story
Myra called our social worker in a panic because she had lost all sight in one of her eyes. Myra refused to go to the emergency room because she feared that she would be reported to immigration authorities. Our social worker and intern leveraged the Pro Bono Medical Network and found Myra a volunteer optometrist who met with her the same day, diagnosing her with optic neuritis. The optometrist then worked with Tahirih to find the client a pro bono opthoneurologist who continues to provide the client with ongoing medical treatment.
*The photograph included here is not of Myra and was generously provided by Rosita Najmi.
In 2007, Tahirih launched the Pro Bono Medical Network to address the urgent medical and dental needs of women and girls fleeing violence and provide expert testimony to corroborate their stories of abuse. We are thrilled to work with individual medical providers as well as MedStar Physician Partners to serve our clients. MedStar, which has 18 offices in the Baltimore-Washington, DC metropolitan region, has committed to serving up to 100 Tahirih clients each year through primary care services.
Medical and dental needs are vital to our clients’ well-being and inseparable from the legal cases we represent. If left unaddressed, these needs could have a serious impact on the health of our clients, as well as jeopardize the success of their legal cases.
Tahirih has in-house social work staff who assess the needs of our clients and make referrals to the appropriate provider. In addition, Tahirih’s staff will coordinate client appointments with pro bono doctors at a convenient time, coordinate transportation with the client, and work to address the need for medical support services, such as prescription drugs and diagnostic testing.
Calling All Medical Professionals
We are always looking for medical and dental providers willing to give their time and energy to help women and girls in need. Participating in our Pro Bono Medical Network offers you an opportunity to protect the life of a woman or girl who might otherwise have no access to care.
If you have questions about our Pro Bono Medical Network or would like to volunteer your services, please email medical@tahirih.org. Or, sign up to receive updates about our work.
