Gulfcoast South AHEC Enews

December 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.

Happy Holidays!

In Warm Appreciation

of our Association

During the Past Year,

We Extend our Very

Best Wishes for a

Happy Holiday Season.

All the best to you and your families,

Edna Apostol ~ Petra Adamson ~ Joan Beatty ~ Karla Brody ~ Hailey Shaughnessy ~ Ansley Mora ~ Paula Murray ~ Xenia Rosado-Merced

Summer Camps ~ Your Opportunity to Make a Difference

By: Joan Beatty, Student Programs Coordinator

GSAHEC is pleased to announce that for the 17th consecutive year, we are making funds available to community-based youth serving organizations to develop and implement Health Careers/Community Health Education Summer Camps in our service area.

PROGRAM GOALS
The fundamental goals of this initiative are to develop and implement Health Careers/Community Health Education Summer Camps that will encourage middle and high school students to explore all of the career possibilities available in the health professions; equip them with the tools, information and resources needed to pursue a health career; and inspire them to work in medically underserved areas. Students may also learn about community health education topics such as nutrition and exercise.

FUNDING PRIORITY
Priority in awarding funds will be given to organizations that demonstrate their ability to dedicate a minimum of 50% of the Health Careers Summer Camp activities to health career exploration, ensure a minimum of 40 program hours per student and demonstrate the ability to recruit middle and/or high school students from medically underserved populations.

Request for Proposals (RFP) will be announced in January 2015. If you/your organization would like to receive an RFP, please contact Joan Beatty. Feel free to forward this announcement to interested parties!

Medical Interpreting Training

Designed for bilingual health care staff and volunteers

Gulfcoast South AHEC's Medical Interpreting training introduces participants to the rationale and mandates for providing medical interpreting services, the benefits associated with the provision of these services, and the appropriate roles, standards of practice, and ethical code for medical interpreters.

Our next full-day training is slated for Friday, February 6, 2015, at Gulfcoast South AHEC's office in Sarasota. Contact Ansley Mora for more details and to RSVP.

Need assistance in helping your patients quit tobacco?

IQuit with AHEC can provide the tools needed to support your staff in their efforts. Our Systems Change program can help your clinical practice meet healthcare reform, meaningful use, and joint commission tobacco measures. For more information contact Hailey Shaughnessy at

(941) 361-6602 ext 27.

Looking for free CE? Click here for resources.

www.gsahec.org

GSAHEC Palm Tree

Many Thanks to our Board Members!

By: Edna Apostol, MPH, CEO

GSAHEC is delighted to announce our Board of Directors for FY 2014-2015! Kimberly Bland, Dental Assisting Program Director at Manatee Technical Institute, will continue to serve as Chair; Karol Sweeterman, Teacher, Charlotte County School Board will serve as Vice-Chair; and Linda De Mello will serve as Secretary-Treasurer.

At the Annual Meeting held September 30th, Jeanette Robinson, Tobacco Prevention Program Manager at the Florida Department of Health, Sarasota County, was elected to serve along with returning members Tracy Winslow, DeSoto Memorial Hospital, Judith Sedgeman, from Manatee County and Cristina Pele, Health Professions Students Representative. Two new members have joined GSAHEC's Board since: Jean Davis, SCF Nursing and Health Professions; and Agnes M. Kelly from Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

We welcome our new and returning board members and appreciate the support and expertise they bring to our Board, while effectively representing our four county service area. Lastly, a warm thank you and best wishes to long-serving Board Member, Melissa Peacock, who is now employed outside of our service area.

L to R: Kimberly Bland, Melissa Peacock and Edna Apostol

Learn More

Tobacco Cessation Specialists On the Go

By: Karla Brody, GSAHEC Tobacco Cessation Specialist

October 17th - Employee Wellness Fair at Heritage Park Care & Rehabilitation Center in Bradenton -approximately 60 employees attended, plus materials were left for those on the night shift. Several employees took advantage of the free carbon monoxide screening and were interested to learn that they could receive tangible evidence of their tobacco use and the level of CO in their bodies. The screening provided an opportunity to educate participants on how long-term exposure to CO can lead to cardiovascular disease; and, that after stopping smoking, the CO level will return to normal within a day or two.

Karla Brody Oct 17, 2014

November 20th - Florida Department of Health, Sarasota County - Nine participants attended Tools To Quit to get a head start on "their" Great American Smokeout! Pictured below is Karla Brody with her courageous quitters.