AHA UPDATE
Know Where to Go


As part of our effort to educate the Aurora community about the differences between urgent care centers and free-standing emergency rooms, AHA board members and staff, interviewed more than 130 people at Global Fest.  Individuals were asked where they would go if they needed medical care in the middle of the night, and if they understood the differences between the two types of facilities.  Only about half the people interviewed realized there is a difference, and only about half of those understood what the differences really are.  AHA will use the information gathered to plan additional community outreach and education activities so that at least in Aurora - we KNOW WHERE TO GO.
 
Thanks to Laura Ciancone, our intern extraordinaire, AHA is pleased to offer a working paper that provides additional information about the differences between urgent care centers and free-standing emergency rooms.  AHA will continue to update this paper as new information emerges. 
We've attached links to both the short, two-page infographic, and to the recently completed 26-pg paper.  They are also available on our website at www.aurorahealthaccess.org.
  


Link to "Know Where to Go" Long Paper.
Gold Star Story


We introduced our "Gold Star Stories" last month that highlight the many "healthcare stars" we are 
fortunate to have working here in Aurora. This month, AHA would like to share "Leon's" story about a family's gratitude for a coordinated emergency response in Aurora that saved Leon's life.


In this story, Gold Stars go to the Aurora 911/EMS System; to UCHealth for its investment in the Mobile Stroke Treatment Unit; to the synchronized communication between EMS and the University of Colorado Hospital; and to Sue and her green beans.  Read the whole story here
New AHA Board Members


Patrick Gillies


Callie Preheim


Bryce DeHaven


AHA is pleased to welcome three new members to its Governing Board. 
  • Bryce DeHaven is the Chief Financial Officer for The Medical Center of Aurora.  
  • Patrick Gillies oversees all program operations for the Accountable Care programs for Colorado Access. 
  • Callie Preheim works for Tri-County Health Department as a Maternal and Child Health Program Coordinator. 
Their bios are on our website at www.aurorahealthaccess.org/about-us/.
AHA Fall Quarterly Community Meeting


The Fall Quarterly Community on October 19th is being hosted by the Aurora Welcome Center!  Come learn more the Center, and network with colleagues engaged in improving access to care in Aurora.  The organizations represented on the "Did You Know Panel" include the Colorado Providers for Integration Network, Personal Assistance Services of Colorado, and Project Worthmore.  We hope to see you Wednesday, October 19, 2016, from 2:00 to 4:30 at the Aurora Welcome Center.


New Resources on AHA Website


At AHA, we try to continuously update the resources on our website.  We recently added new demographic data from the City of Aurora and an updated list of Medical Homes serving Aurora. Please check the "Data and Resources" tab at www.aurorahelathaccess.org for these and many other resources.
 
Senior Circle


If you've thought about joining AHA's Senior Circle, this would be a great month to do so.  The September meeting will be hosted by Iora Primary Care and you'll have a chance to see the brand new primary care clinic they are opening at 1080 South Sable Blvd, Unit 17-18.  The Senior Circle meeting is from 2:00 to 3:30 on Monday, September 19


We want to thank Shalom Cares for hosting last month's meeting, one of the most well-attended we've ever had, and Kelly Brady from the City of Centennial's Commission for Seniors.  We learned that there are incredible resources for seniors on their website.  While a few are specific just for Centennial residents, there are many that apply to all Coloradans.  Check it out at www.CentennialCO.gov/Seniors.


Do You Know Aurora?


Do you know where this "happy" photo was taken?  We feel lucky to be able to live and/or work in Aurora.  To help celebrate and show off our city, we're going to feature a photo taken somewhere in Aurora.  The first person to email us with the right location, will win a prize!  This month, the prize is a $25 gift card donated by Sprouts Market on Havana!  Submit your answers to


This photo was submitted by Denise, our Executive Director. (We're lucky she's a better Director than she is a photographer, but it's the spirit that counts!)  If you have a photo you'd like to submit for the contest, or a prize to donate for the winner, we'd love to hear from you. Please email Denise at ddenton@aurorahealthaccess.org.


Community News
Honor Roll of Best Hospitals


In headline-grabbing news in early August, U.S. News and World Report named University of Colorado Hospital to their "Best Hospitals Honor Roll."


According to the report on the UCHealth website, "For the first time, U.S. News and World Report has named University of Colorado Hospital (UCH) to the Best Hospitals Honor Roll, recognizing it as one of the nation's top 20 hospitals out of almost 5,000 evaluated. U.S. News has also named UCH as the number one hospital in Colorado, with 10 individual specialties ranked among the best in the United States."  



To read the entire article, click here.  To read the Denver Post story, click here.
Senior Law and Safety Summit


The 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office is hosting the Senior Law and Safety Summit on Friday, October 14, 2016, from 8:00 am to 1:35 pm. at the Charles Schwab and Co. Events Center, in Lonetree, CO.


This educational program focuses on topics pertaining to legal, safety, and fraud awareness issues in later life.  Seniors, family members, professionals in the field of aging, and individuals contemplating retirment are particularly encouraged to attend.


Workshop topics include safe investing; ID theft prevention; fraud protection; wills, trusts, and probate; crime prevention; powers of attorney; Medicare and benefits; and reverse mortgages.  


To register, please click on this link to download the registration form.  It is a mail-in registration.  If you have questions, call 720-874-8487 or email bmw@da18.state.co.us.
Aurora Community Connection Family Resource Center's

Second Annual Fundraising Breakfast!


Please join Aurora Community Connection Family Resource Center for its Second Annual Fundraising Community Breakfast.  This is a FREE breakfast to network with community partners, and learn about ACC's Fall programming highlights and success stories.


The event will be held September 28, 2016, 8:00-9:00 am, at Aurora Community Connection, 9801 East Colfax Ave., #200.  This event is open to anyone.  


AHA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
The Medical Center of Aurora:  Behavioral Health Services
Contributed by The Medical Center of Aurora


The Medical Center of Aurora (TMCA) is part of the HealthONE hospital system, and has dedicated the entire North campus to providing behavioral health services for the Colorado community. TMCA is committed to serving our patients throughout their entire behavioral health treatment cycle and beyond, which is why we work tirelessly to ensure that patients of all ages leave our care with the necessary skills to improve their day-to-day interactions with the world. 


The Medical Center of Aurora utilizes a holistic approach to care because we recognize that every person is unique, so as part of our treatment, we foster each individual's strengths while focusing on emotional and personal wellness.


We employ a comprehensive team of treatment specialists to ensure that every individual receives the best possible care. This team includes: psychiatrists specialized in geriatric, adult, and adolescent care; medical doctors; nurses; social workers; mental health counselors; occupational/recreational/ music therapists; behavioral analysts; and discharge planners. In addition, we offer pet and leisure therapy, and also have dedicated educational specialists on site for our adolescents so that they can keep up with their school work while in our care.


We offer focused acute stabilization in our inpatient programs for three age groups:
  • Adolescents (ages 12-17)         
  • Adults (ages 18-55)         
  • Seniors (ages 56+)
Our inpatient programs are structured around an evidence-based approach, which encompasses both dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Treatment is administered in a private, comfortable, and confidential setting that supports each patient on their individual path to wellness. Every care program includes: active psychiatric treatment and 24 hour access to a psychiatrist, group and individual psychotherapy; medication administration and monitoring (if clinically indicated); and personalized after-care plans designed to address the presenting behaviors that resulted in the initial admission. In addition, we encourage families and love ones to be an active part of the treatment team to support their loved one and to ensure the best possible outcomes once they leave our care.


Part of our commitment to a full continuum of care includes intensive outpatient programs (IOP). These programs are offered for adults and adolescents who would benefit from an intermediate level of care, and can be used as a step down from inpatient treatment or as a supplement to individual therapy.


Adult IOP: offered Tuesday - Thursday from 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm


Adolescent IOP: offered Monday - Thursday from 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm


**Participants would attend three, 3 hour sessions per week**


We invite you to visit AuroraMed.com/MentalHealth to learn more about our inpatient and outpatient programs. For more information or for a free assessment please call, (844) 556-2012, and someone from our team would be happy to assist you. We accept most insurance plans, private pay, Medicare, and Medicaid.



Note that the next AHA Pediatric Work Group meeting will be hosted at The Medical Center of Aurora as follows:


October 3 | Pediatric Work Group

11:30-1:00 (Bring your own lunch)

The Medical Center of Aurora (North Campus)

The "Rider Room"

700 Potomac St., Aurora, CO 80011.
AHA envisions a community where all residents
 have an opportunity for health. 


AHA works collaboratively to improve access 
to care and create a healthier Aurora 
with a focus on the most vulnerable and underserved.


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Aurora Health Access | PO Box 848 | Aurora | CO | 80040