Brass Bash celebrates community leader in public health

19th March 2018   ·   0 Comments

By Fritz Esker
Contributing Writer

Luke’s House, a community clinic that provides free vital healthcare services to medically underserved and uninsured people, will honor Erica J. Washington, an epidemiologist for the State of Louisiana, with The Reverend Connie Thomas Award for leadership and service in the field of public health.

Washington will be presented with the award at the clinics 7th Annual Brass Bash, a fundraiser hosted by Luke’s House to raise money to support its ongoing medical services on March 23 from 7-10 p.m. at the Howlin’ Wolf.

“She is an incredibly active person in our community,” said Adam Bradley, executive director of Luke’s House Clinic. “This award would be an excellent way to honor all the work she has done over the past ten years.”

Washington, a native of Baton Rouge, moved to New Orleans in 2007 to pursue a master’s degree in public health from the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.

Washington first got involved with Luke’s House as the organization’s first public health intern, during which time she recruited others from the public health program to volunteer. In 2008, she joined Luke’s House Board of Directors. In 2012, she organized a committee to host the organization’s first Brass Bash, which she organized until 2017. She also served as chairman of the Luke’s House board from 2012-14.

In 2013, Washington was recognized by the White House as a White House Champion for Change for Prevention and Public Health.

“She’s been a staple of the organization since 2007,” Bradley said.

In its 10 years of existence, Luke’s House has connected over 5,000 people to medical care and annually cares for over 800 people. In mid-late April, they expect to move into a new, larger clinic space on 2222 Simon Bolivar Ave. in Central City.

Part of Luke’s House’s services include specialty clinic nights for gynecological health and visual exams. The eye nights have been the first and fourth Wednesdays of every month and the gynecological night was the fourth Wednesday of every month. When the new space opens, they will be able to hold these nights twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

On top of these services, the clinic also does triage work, immunizations and assist people obtaining life-saving prescriptions.

Washington also hopes the clinic will be able to continue to increase its volunteer base and services.

In addition to recognizing Washington for her service to Luke’s House, Brass Bash will also serve as a means of raising money to support the organizations growth and expansion.

Tickets for the patron party are $100 and tickets for young professionals (ages 21-35) are $40. General admission tickets are $50. All tickets can be purchased at www.lukeshouseclinic.org.

“People are going to find a really fun, welcoming atmosphere,” Bradley said.

This article originally published in the March 19, 2018 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.