Looking to help bring her community together, Dr. Evelyn Tuero-Llanos MD of Huntington invited 200 people to attend a screening of the Diary of Wimpy Kid movie on April 12, at the John W Engeman Theater in Northport.
“Diary of a Wimpy Kid is about a kid who’s awkward, who has issues, who may have been like them – in a position where they feel uncomfortable in their schools,” said Tuero-Llanos. “So it’s bringing together, making sure that this practice is a safe place for them, and that their parents are there to help them, even though their parents might be anxious and scared.”
For the past 36 years, Tuero-Llanos has served as a healthcare professional. In addition to her regular work at her Huntington office, she is also a medical examiner for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Influenced from her experiences in this role. Tuero-Llanos is committed to helping her patients, specifically children and their families who come from immigrant backgrounds, feel comfortable and safe even during uncertain times.
“I’ve seen them afraid; I’ve seen them anxious,” said Tuero-Llanos. “They can’t sleep because of that uncertainty of whatever they perceive that is happening in society. In every aspect from the social, to the legal, to the financial, people are very anxious.”
While many people visit the doctor for routine checkups, or to receive treatment for injury and illness, Tuero-Llanos’ office prides itself in its ability to help prevent chronic illnesses that may stem from anxiety.
“We want them to come to receive preventative care because we don’t just want to treat or diagnose disease,” Dr. Nancy Rosario said. “We want to prevent it. We want children, adolescents, and other patients to come receive the necessary care, including vaccinations and routine care. That’s our vision.”
Prior to the movie screening, patients and prospective patients were invited to Tuero-Llanos’ office to pick up their tickets. A Dunkin’ Donuts breakfast was served, and the entire staff was on hand to greet the patients, and answer any questions that people had.
“My wife told me that she’s a good doctor,” Jose Lopez of Huntington Station said. Lopez’s wife and their two kids are patients of Tuero-Llanos, and Jose plans on switching to her practice as well. “She has great communication skills and is very flexible with all the treatments she receives.”
Tuero-Llanos is proud of her staff, and its ability to work towards understanding the concerns of its patients. She attributes this to fact that many of them come from immigrant backgrounds as well.
“Many of the people who work in this practice also have migrated to this country, and now have become physicians, have become nurse practitioners, physicians’ assistants,” said Tuero-Llanos. “They have the ability to work with people much like themselves and have the cultural competency to deal with it.”
Through such events, members of the immigrant community feel a sense of togetherness, knowing that they have people looking out for them, and wanting the best for them.
“This is a very good activity for the community,” said Lopez. “Many people need recreation in Huntington Station.”
