Gulfcoast South AHEC Enews

April 2014

Gulfcoast South AHEC connects students to careers, professionals to communities and communities to better health. We inspire, train, recruit and retain a diverse and broad range of health professionals to practice in communities where the need is greatest.

GSAHEC helps to educate health professions students and health care providers on the latest guidelines regarding tobacco and the easiest way to refer tobacco users to our cessation services. As always, please let us know how we can assist in your efforts to improve the health of underserved communities.

FEATURED ARTICLES

GSAHEC Board Members

King Middle School HOSA

Tobacco Free Florida Week

IN THE NEWS

REACH Summer Internship Program - Applications Available

Gulfcoast South AHEC partners with health care organizations and academic health centers to provide job shadowing opportunities for Summer Interns. These hands-on health career experiences permit students to learn from experienced health professionals, increases their knowledge about health careers, and motivates the students to develop effective short and long term health career plans. Applications are available on our website and must be submitted by 5:00 pm on Friday, April 25, 2014. If you have any questions, please contact:

Joan Beatty-Lee, Student Programs Coordinator
(941) 361-6602 ext. 22

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Calling All Facilitators!!!

Are you passionate about tobacco cessation?

Health education experience?

Extra income?

Trained Tobacco Cessation Facilitators promote and provide cessation classes throughout Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties. We are looking for individuals who have experience working with small groups and will be able to recruit participants. Please contact us for further details!

Alisha Downey

(941) 552-1280 ext 27
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GSAHEC Has a New Look!

Check out our new website for tools and resources you need. www.gsahec.org

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GSAHEC's 10th Annual CHW Conference!

Yes, we said ten! Once again, Community Health Workers (CHWs) affiliated with GSAHEC were honored and celebrated for their hard work and dedication. Thanks to each and every one of you for your continued support of our event.

Speaking of CHWs, we are so grateful to have received funding from the American Cancer Society, Florida Division, Inc. and the Florida Suncoast Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure to provide breast and colorectal cancer awareness education in our local commuities. Many thanks!!!

ACS Logo Komen

Eleanor Ball

Many Thanks to our Board Members!

By: Edna Apostol, MPH, CEO

GSAHEC is delighted to announce our Board of Directors for FY 2013-2014. Ms. Eleanor Ball will continue to serve as Chair of the Board, Kim Bland, CSA, M.Ed., will serve as Vice Chair, and Melissa Peacock, will continue to serve as Secretary-Treasurer.

Other Members include Judith Sedgeman, Ed.D., Bradenton; Sue E. Garland, PhD Ed., SCF; Karol Sweeterman, M.Ed., Englewood; Linda De Mello, MS, USF Sarasota-Manatee; and Tracy Winslow, DeSoto Memorial Hospital

GSAHEC welcomes everyone and looks forward to a productive tenure!

King Middle School HOSA Members are Winners (Again)!

By: Joan Beatty-Lee, Student Programs Coordinator

Congratulations to the Martha B. King Middle School members of Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) on your awesome success at the HOSA Regionals and State competition! Click here for the list of winners.

Tobacco Free Florida Week 2014

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the release of the U.S. Surgeon General's landmark report regarding the negative health consequences of smoking. Florida's adult smoking rate has decreased to 17.7%, which is below the national average. The reduction in Florida smokers has helped save more than $4.2 billion in personal health care costs since the inception of the Tobacco Free Florida program in 2007.

More good news is that adult smokers who are assisted by physician interventions are more likely to quit compared to those who try to quit on their own. Health care providers play a vital role for adult smokers seeking to quit.

The focus of Tobacco Free Florida Week, April 21-27, 2014, whose theme is "Team Up to Quit", is to educate health care providers and their patients about the program's free resources and the health benefits of quitting, Click here for more information and resources.

Thanks to all providers for the support they provide to tobacco users and quitters alike!

www.gsahec.org

GSAHEC Palm Tree