Draft:Doris Ison

Doris Ison (1908-1989) was an advocate for public health and a founder of Community Health of South Florida, Inc.

Ison is credited with mobilizing her community to push for improving medical care in South Miami-Dade County, these efforts led to the 1971 establishment of Community Health of South Dade Inc., which was later renamed Community Health of South Florida, Inc.

Early life and education
Ison was born in the Bahamas. She attended school until the third grade.

Advocacy
Ison worked as a tomato picker in South Florida. She became an advocate for healthcare access after noticing the lack of care available African American and Mexican farmworkers in her community.

CHI opened two medical trailers by US highway 1 before later relocating them to CHI's current location,10300 SW 216th Street. Miami, FL 33190. A second facility was opened in 1973 to serve migrant families in Homestead, Florida. Ison, who served as a board member, and Mexican community members named the facility the Martin Luther King Jr. Clinica Campesina. Ison continued her advocacy which led her to speak to the Special Committee on Aging before the U.S. Senate on February 27, 1974, where she advised the committee on the transportation struggles the elderly faced. In 1976, the CHI board voted to name the nonprofit’s $4 million health care facility after Doris Ison because of her advocacy for public health. The facility was established as the Doris Ison Health Center.