Gulfcoast South AHEC Enews

August 2014
GSAHEC 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 reduces the tobacco prevalence in Florida by educating health care providers and health professions students, reaching out to tobacco users with cessation programs and by achieving durable social norm changes.

FEATURED ARTICLES

Health Careers Summer Camps 2014

Shaping My Future as a Health Professional

Tobacco Resources

IN THE NEWS

Dr. Rosebud Foster

For nearly 30 years, Dr. Rosebud Foster played a leadership role in the successful establishment and growth of the Nova Southeastern University AHEC Program and the statewide Florida AHEC Network. She was also an active member of the NAO, having worked tirelessly for many years to advocate for AHEC funding in Congress. Many who were fortunate to know and work with her will truly appreciate that her passing is a great loss to the AHEC community. She will be sincerely missed.

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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 Receives Funding from Florida Breast Cancer Foundation!

Great news! The Florida Breast Cancer Foundation has awarded funding to GSAHEC to implement the Macedonia Breast Health Awareness Program. Throughout this fiscal year, we will train and mobilize Community Health Workers (CHWs) in partnership with Macedonia Human Services Cultural Training Center. CHWs will provide breast health presentations, outreach and follow-up activities in Charlotte and DeSoto Counties.

Speaking of breast health, our strong partnership continues with the American Cancer Society, Florida Division, Inc. and the Florida Suncoast Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. We are so grateful for your support. Many thanks!!!

ACS Logo Komen

Take Action Now!

The Florida CHW Coalition has been working with the Florida Certification Board to establish a pathway for voluntary, statewide certification for Community Health Workers. As part of that process, they are conducting a CHW Role Delineation Study Validation Survey. Click here for more information; surveys are due August 29th.

Language Training

GSAHEC offers Medical Interpreting Training in our service area. Learn more.

Health Careers Summer Camps 2014

By: Joan Beatty-Lee, Student Programs Coordinator

Many thanks to Girls Incorporated of Sarasota County, Jewish Family & Children's Service of Sarasota-Manatee, Laurel Civic Association, Macedonia Human Services Cultural Training Center, and the Sarasota Y for their tireless efforts in coordinating outstanding Health Careers Summer Camps! A total of 102 students participated, completing 297 program hours.

The purpose of the summer camps is to expose middle and high school students to health careers, assist them in establishing a career in health, and encourage them to work in underserved areas. The students researched careers through internet and print resources, games and videos, interviewed health professional guest speakers, went on field trips, and created vision boards.

Shaping My Future as a Health Professional

By: Joan Beatty-Lee, Student Programs Coordinator

Congratulations to Alexis Marquess, Serena Migliore, Andrea Parocua, Angela Trombley, and John Vigil for completing the 90 hour REACH Summer Internship Program designed to provide minority or disadvantaged (low-income, first generation going to college) high school students interested in health careers a rare and unique opportunity to explore a variety of health care occupations.

Gulfcoast South AHEC partners with health care organizations and academic health centers in the counties of Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota to provide job shadowing opportunities for the 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. Read more about their Intern experiences here.

Tobacco Resources

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. For continuing education opportunities, click here.

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

www.gsahec.org

GSAHEC Palm Tree