Pam DeShaw: Beating back loneliness

An RN since 1968, Pam DeShaw had already had a lengthy career when she entered the Community Health Education program in 2000.

Having worked in the emergency room at Fairview-University Hospital's Riverside campus, DeShaw knew that many members of the Somali community come there for basic medical needs. So she focused her studies on developing and evaluating outreach programs for immigrant communities

Today, she is executive director of FOLC, an organization that address the health and family needs of the Somali community. She won the "Fairview Cares" award last year for her efforts, which included $10,000 for FOLC.

"[At FOLC] we want to decrease the isolation and increase the socialization of mostly elderly Somali women," says DeShaw. "They sit at home and watch TV in a language they don't understand. Most have no sponsors or family. They are very, very lonely."

Among other things, FOLC offers an exercise class led by a 78-year-old Somali woman, a health class with a doctor from Smiley's Clinic, English classes staffed by University students, and swimming sessions at Fairview.

Although it was daunting for DeShaw to return to school, she's found that her age and experience now help her gain the trust of the Somalis she works with. "The older you are, the more respected you are," she says.

(Updated: June 2009)

Community Health Education