S.T.A.R.S. on the South Side ? Omar Lampkin

S.T.A.R.S, Supporting, Training, And Recognizing Success, are Community Members, Empowered Patients, and Patient Advocates that we spotlight quarterly for outstanding commitment to the South Side Diabetes Project. The S.T.A.R.S. are bright examples of the ways we can empower and improve our communities.

Our Star for Spring 2014 is
Omar Lampkin

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Omar Lampkin is a community member on the South Side of Chicago and the project?s star for Spring 2014. Many of Omar?s family members have been impacted by diabetes, which inspired him to become involved with the project. He volunteers as a peer-to-peer community health educator and provides nutritional education to community members at the 61st Street Farmer?s Market. Despite Chicago?s record-breaking cold winter, Omar has been warming the 61st Street Farmer?s Market with his bright smile and positive attitude. Omar says he enjoys talking with community members about the importance of healthy eating and helping them improve their health. Omar is a valuable asset to our project and many community members have come back to learn more from him each month.

Thank you Omar for being such a great team player and congratulations for being one of the S.T.A.R.S on the South Side!

Be sure to come out and congratulate Omar on his award as the 61st Market Farmer?s Market returns outdoors this spring. Weekly outdoor markets begin May 17th!

Submitted by: Halle Betts ? Student Research Assistant

For a full interview, continue reading below:



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Halle Betts?s Interview with Omar

Halle Betts: Where are you from originally and where do you work?
Omar Lampkin: I?m from Charlestown, MO, a little town few miles south of Saint Louis, MO. I have been employed at The University of Chicago Medicine for 17 years. I work in Inventory Management and Distribution. I am responsible for supplying stocked inventory items to all areas within the medical center and DCAM.
HB: How did you get involved with the South Side Diabetes Project?
OL: I had always wanted to be involved in community outreach although, I really didn?t know how to get involved. A good friend of mine told me about the South Side Diabetes Project and a training program they were offering for peer to peer community health educators. These community members lead nutritional tours at the 61st Street Farmer?s Market. Since then, I have been actively involved with the project, conducting tours monthly and participating in other SSD community events.
HB: What do you enjoy most about community outreach like conducting tours at the farmer?s market?
OL: What I enjoy most about community outreach, like the farmer?s market tours, is the fact that I am giving back to the community, especially underserved communities where residents really need the help. It delights me to see people learn something new that can help them improve their health.
HB: What?s something about the farmer?s market that most people in the community don?t know?
OL: The farmer?s market offers fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy food products to the community all year round. Even in the winter months, they host an indoor market offering the same products.

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