Miami Herald - October 2, 2005
Jonnelle Marte, jmarte@herald.com

These days, her projects are a bit bigger.

Her art has brought color and life to people's homes, churches and restaurants -- and now it's brightening the walls of the West Perrine Health Center,18255 Homestead Ave., a new health clinic that celebrates its grand opening Monday.

The center, operated by the Miami-Dade County Health Department, aims to bring health care closer to the community.

"To have a Health Department presence here will further our mission for public health," said Arelis Valero, the center administrator. "We are closer to their homes and proud to be a part of their community."

The celebration begins at 10 a.m. A dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m. There also will be a health fair and tours of the clinic, as well as a DJ and lunch from Pollo Tropical.

"Everybody will come together and celebrate the accomplishment," said Lillian Rivera, administrator of the Miami-Dade County Health Department.

Visitors will see Ramunni's art decorating the side of the building that faces Homestead Avenue. The five mosaics, made with colorful pieces of tile and glass, portray a day in Miami, from sunrise to sunset.

The vivid images illustrate people doing ordinary things -- a grandmother reading, men playing dominoes, people in the city and musicians on the beach.

"I wanted art that reflected the neighborhood and community life," said Ramunni, who lives in Coral Gables and will attend the grand opening.

In addition to primary health care, the center will offer environmental health services and disease prevention and control.

People also can order birth certificates, get immunizations and receive treatment for tuberculosis and AIDS.

They also can visit the center for information on how to prevent or deal with diseases like diabetes, obesity and heart disease.

Rivera said she expects the center to be a great help to the residents of the area.

"The residents have been very grateful and inviting. I most definitely see it as a wonderful thing in their community," she said.

The center is also home to the Community Health Action Team, made up of nurses and health care educators who travel the area educating people on disease prevention and responding to emergencies.

She said about 5,500 people have received services at the center since March, when the clinic began to open to the public. Clients said they appreciate having such a wide range of services available so close to home.

"It's very convenient," said Adeshia Brice, who picked up a birth certificate for her niece on Friday. "It's better than having to go all the way downtown."

That's what administrators like to hear.

"The project has been in the works for many many years," Rivera said. "I am very delighted that finally the dream came true."

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