FIT Clinic

06/24/2025

This is why education and community wellness sessions matters. Just days after attending a stroke awareness training, Denise Williams found herself in a life-or-death moment—using what she had just learned to save someone’s life. 💜🧠

Read this powerful story from Tulane School of Medicine that shows how quick thinking, knowledge, and community programs can make all the difference.

👉 https://medicine.tulane.edu/news/denise-williams-never-imagined-shed-use-stroke-education-save-life-just-days-after-learning-it

Denise Williams never imagined she’d use stroke education to save a life, just days after learning it. June 20, 2025 2:00 PM  |  Bethany Barnoski bbarnosk@tulane.edu    View PDF Denise Williams (left) attended a stroke awareness event, which featured a presentation by Tulane neurosurgeon Dr. K...

06/24/2025

https://medicine.tulane.edu/news/denise-williams-never-imagined-shed-use-stroke-education-save-life-just-days-after-learning-it

Denise Williams never imagined she’d use stroke education to save a life, just days after learning it. June 20, 2025 2:00 PM  |  Bethany Barnoski bbarnosk@tulane.edu    View PDF Denise Williams (left) attended a stroke awareness event, which featured a presentation by Tulane neurosurgeon Dr. K...

05/07/2025

🧠 May is Stroke Awareness Month, and we’re coming together to protect our community with knowledge and care. Join us on Tuesday, May 20th from 6–8pm at 4930 Washington Ave for an empowering session led by Dr. Kendrick Johnson, neurosurgeon and Director of Tulane’s Stroke Outreach Program.

💬 Learn how to recognize the signs of stroke, understand your risk, and take action to prevent long-term effects.

🩺 Free health screenings, glucose and BP checks, and a chance to discuss your meds with Xavier College of Pharmacy.

Let’s build a healthier us — together.

03/12/2025

✨Wellness Sessions are back✨

Blood sugar balance is essential to overall health, yet diabetes remains a major challenge in our communities. 🍎💙 Research shows that conditions like diabetes disproportionately impact those affected by stress, trauma, and systemic barriers—including the experience of incarceration.

Join us next Tuesday for our FIT Clinic Wellness Session as we dive into diabetes: its causes, prevention, and management strategies to support a healthier life. Don’t miss this evening of expert insights, practical resources, community connection, and a shared meal on March 18th at 6 PM!

12/03/2024

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation!

The Formerly Incarcerated Transitions (FIT) Clinic Program
https://www.fitclinicnola.com/ advocates for improved health for people coming home from incarceration.

We employ community health workers with lived experience of incarceration to connect people with medical care and other health resources, advocate on behalf of individuals and policies for better health and train the next generation of doctors and health providers to best take care of people impacted by incarceration.

With your help, the FIT Clinic Program https://www.fitclinicnola.com/donate can support individuals returning from incarceration.

$50 provides basic medications for someone just coming home.
$500 allows FIT Clinic Program to purchase monthly bus passes for 10 individuals.
$5000 supports community health workers with lived experience of incarceration train community health providers.

All donations are tax deductible (EIN 16-1695266) — specify FIT Clinic Program

Please donate: https://donorbox.org/fit-clinic-holiday-giving-drive

11/15/2024

As we navigate recent challenges—from election stress to seasonal transitions and ongoing community pressures—prioritizing mental health is more important than ever. 💙🧠Research shows that trauma, including the experience of incarceration, can deeply impact our mental and physical health, relationships, and quality of life.

Join us next Tuesday for Part 2 of our “Towards a Healthier Us” FIT Clinic mental health series, where we’ll explore these impacts and share tools to build resilience together. Don’t miss this evening of expert insights, supportive resources, community connection, and a shared meal on November 19th, from 6-8 pm

10/10/2024

Mental health is everything.

Research consistently shows that incarceration and trauma profoundly affect daily functioning, relationships, and both physical and mental health.

October’s “Towards a Healthier Us” FIT Clinic will focus on understanding mental health, its importance and provide guidance on how to navigate.

Join us on October 15th, from 6-8pm, for expert insights, community support, resources, and a shared meal!

07/30/2024

https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/louisiana_health/new-orleans-inmates-overdose-prevention-training/article_c0011be6-4867-11ef-96c1-b3614baff4a8.html

Dr. Anjali Niyogi hopes the information about overdoses might save a life once the inmates reenter society. But she also knows the session might be the gateway to a better life for a community that has seen drug deaths more than double in the last four years.

06/11/2024

Come join us on Tuesday, June 18th from 6-8 p.m. for the June FIT Clinic Wellness Night. This month, we'll talk about Hepatitis C, including how it affects the liver and frequently goes unnoticed, what happens if it isn't treated, and the necessary medications.

As usual, there will be a delicious dinner served as well as a variety of wellness service providers. Come to this vital and perhaps life-saving session with us!

02/06/2024

New Year,Healthier Us!

Join us Tuesday, 2/20, from 6-8pm for our first Formerly Incarcerated Transitions Clinic Wellness Night of 2024!

Let’s talk colon health and cancer prevention. Did you know colorectal cancer rates are higher in LA? 📈 Or that when caught early, it has a 90% survival rate?

We’ll have Dr. Jay Hutchins (LSU) sharing insights, breath work guidance by Caroline Durham and Xavier pharmacy clinic to check your scripts. Learn about maintaining a healthy microbiome and nutrition tips to reduce colon cancer risks, courtesy of . Plus, to discuss fitness goals, blood pressure and glucose screening with Tulane, accupuncture, and a delicious, nutritious dinner served. 🍽️

01/30/2024

Great article about today's convict leasing system and the prison industrial complex. Please take a moment to read. The FIT Clinic cares for many people impacted by labor practices in jails and prisons. We see the chronic pain and disability that results from this forced labor without adequate access to healthcare on the inside.

The Associated Press found goods linked to prisoners wind up in the supply chains of everything from Frosted Flakes to Coca-Cola.

01/29/2024

Ms. M dropped her 9 year old son at school and went to the courthouse to answer a subpoena for an erroneous trespassing charge. Instead, she was imprisoned for 6 years, separated from her children and missed many milestones in their lives.

“…I always grew up believing that if anybody went to jail, they did something to go to jail. They were guilty of whatever they were arrested for. And for me to be not only arrested but falsely convicted and sentenced, that was something out of my wildest dreams…my 9-year-old son thought I was going to pick him up after school…[he] saw me 6 years later…”

People who are incarcerated have more health problems than the general population and are at risk of premature death.

The Formerly Incarcerated Transitions (FIT) Clinic Program
https://www.fitclinicnola.com/ advocates for improved health for people coming home from incarceration.

We employ community health workers with lived experience of incarceration to connect people with medical care and other health resources, advocate on behalf of individuals and policies for better health and train the next generation of doctors and health providers to best take care of people impacted by incarceration.

With your help, the FIT Clinic Program https://www.fitclinicnola.com/donate can support individuals returning from incarceration.

$50 provides basic medications for someone just coming home.
$500 allows FIT Clinic Program to purchase monthly bus passes for 10 individuals.
$5000 supports community health workers with lived experience of incarceration train community health providers.

All donations are tax deductible (EIN 16-1695266)- specify FIT Clinic Program

Donation Link: https://www.fitclinicnola.com/donate