Annalise Abma is continuing to write the Community Health Needs Assessment for Haskell County. She also started working with Haskell County to implement a Junior Volunteer Program at Haskell High School. This program allows high school students to learn more about healthcare, and also job shadow different healthcare careers at local facilities. Annalise is also looking forward to beginning the Si, Yo Puedo program for Taylor County. Si, Yo Puedo is scheduled to begin this spring, and Annalise looks forward to becoming more involved in the community through that program.
Cera Cantuattended a planning meeting to discuss the results of the Community Health Needs Assessment Community Development Initiatives conducted last year. She and her colleagues hope to distribute the information gathered to stakeholders and the general public. Additionally, she has continued working on an assessment for AHEC that will identify potential areas of expansion for AHEC services and potential community partners in the Concho Valley area. She has spoken with community leaders about the assets and needs in their communities, and also informed community leaders about available AHEC services. Lastly, Cera and her supervisor have also renewed efforts to complete a comprehensive meta-analysis of Community Health Worker interventions in the US.
Leticia Cisneros
states that during the month of February, the United Way of Abilene closed out their campaign with a new campaign record slightly over $2 million. She will now begin to update donor profiles that were discovered during the campaign and build new company profiles that will assist next year's campaign efforts. She has found and drafted two grant applications for the organization and is still searching for more grant opportunities to help grow funding capabilities. A new board term started this year and she will be analyzing some community, organization and partner agency data that can be shared with the board to help make program decisions going into the new campaign year. Leticia is also looking forward assisting with planning the Key City Rhythm and Blues Festival, that will take place in April.
Sarah Floyd
is helping to manage for two computerized kiosks to put in the MAIN building of the Health District and at our satellite building, MERCY. The purpose of these kiosks is to allow community members free and easy access to information; ranging from health information about STDs or vaccines to preparedness information. The kiosks will also have WIFI and access to designated websites. These websites will include: the city of Abilene website, the Health District website, the CDC, and other governmental and health websites. Sarah has also
been working on purchasing personal preparedness equipment (PPE), in order to spend the allotted grant supply money.
Irene Fuentes has participated in several community meetings over the past few weeks, but has primarily been focused on conducting a second community resource fair with the Abilene Housing Authority. Irene has also been collaborating with community partners for a Hardin-Simmons Spring Health Fair. In addition to these activities, Irene has been working on her Community Health Worker certification through the Public Health Department, which she hopes to complete before the end of the summer.
AHEC Corner
Rural Impact Story
Name: Kristin Bohannon
Hometown: Kingsland, Tx
Current year in school and when you will graduate: Currently a 4th year Pharmacy student. I graduate May 15, 2016 :)
Your experience in a rural community (this can include any impressions you had going into the community, how that has changed, what you've enjoyed etc.): During my time at Love Oak Pharmacy I really enjoyed getting to see the patients who came into the pharmacy and assist them when they had questions about their medications. Although I was only on rotation in Eastland for 6 weeks, I was able to see the positive relationship that the patient's have with the Pharmacists, Technicians, and Clerks who work at the pharmacy. Seeing everyone there being willing to take additional steps to help the patients with anything they needed exemplified the strengths of a small town where people know each other by name and really care about each other.
Any future plans after graduation- I am currently in the process of interviewing for Post Graduation Year 1 Pharmacy Practice Residencies. This is for a pharmacy residency position which will provide me more training which will aid me in pursuing my long-term goal of becoming a pediatric pharmacist working in a children's hospital.
Understanding Clinical Telemedicine for Rural Applications
This webinar is aimed to help rural healthcare providers that want to get a clearer depiction of what clinical telemedicine encounters are, the benefits they provide to both patients and providers and specific examples of how it is used to deliver mainstream care to rural and under-served populations.
Wednesday, March 9th, 2016
2:00PM - 3:00PM (CDT)
Rural Health Reimbursement Opportunities & UB-04 Billing Changes for 2016
Rural providers now have additional reimbursement opportunities-and additional reporting requirements. Join BKD for this look at how your organization can capture additional revenue by billing for Chronic Care Management (CCM) and Advanced Care Planning (ACP) services. You'll also learn about the new detailed UB-04 billing requirements, criteria for rural health clinic (RHC) "qualifying visits" and the potential effects on cost reports.
Wednesday, March 9, 2016 10 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. (CDT)
Economics and Reimbursement for Single Dose treatment of ABSSSI
The objective of the webinar is to review the current ABSSSI treatment landscape and the potential economic impact of a single dose treatment on the healthcare system. A single dose treatment gives healthcare teams the potential to treat patients in multiple settings of care.
Thursday, March 17, 2016
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (CDT)
Understanding the Mechanics of Your Medicare Cost Report
This webinar session is for anyone who assists in the preparation or gathering of data for their Rural Health Clinic Medicare cost report. In this session, we will identify areas to improve reporting and reimbursement along with common mistakes made in the cost reporting process.
Friday, March 11, 2016
10:30 a.m. - 11:45 am (CDT)
Brain Injury Awareness (Nutrition, Sleep, and Vision)
This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, occupational therapists, physical therapists, medical coders, health care executives, social workers, pharmacists, case managers, psychologists, speech language professionals, counselors and other healthcare professionals who support/care for U.S. active-duty service members, reservists, National Guardsmen, military veterans and/or their families.
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
9:00 a.m. - 4:30 pm (EST)
RHC Billing: Big Changes Coming in 2016
This webinar session is for anyone involved in the RHC billing process-from those responsible for documentation/charge capture or claim submission-to final account resolution.
Friday, March 18, 2016
10:30 a.m. - 11:45 am (CDT)
2016 Agricultural Medicine: Keeping Rural America Healthy & Safe - Occupational & Environmental Medicine for Healthcare Providers
A 3-month series of both face-to-face workshops and informative webinars will provide improved knowledge of the cultural impact of the agriculture workforce, along with specific information about the risks and illnesses associated with living and working in rural communities.
Two separate sets of workshops: March 18 & 19 and May 20 & 21 Six Webinars: April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and May 6
Your Community Health Needs Assessment of Today - Taking it Beyond Compliance
This webinar will be an educational resource and guidance tool for utilizing the CHNA process in your hospital's strategic planning and marketing initiatives. Most all non-profit hospitals must complete a comprehensive Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) every three years. However, there are other valuable reasons beyond regulatory compliance for any hospital to include the CHNA process into their standard hospital planning process. Hospitals can utilize the CHNA process to build association between other providers in the community to support communication, to enhance relationships and to transform the continuum of care.
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (CDT)
Workshops:
Technology and Ethics in Social Work Practice
This workshop will go over the NASW Code of Ethics about technology and practice, rules and guidelines for best practice, examples of ethical compromises, and case studies.
Getting to the Core of the Matter: Differential Diagnosis of the Abdomen
At the conclusion of this program, the learner will be able to....describe evaluation of the abdominal musculature and abdominal organs and identify positive findings; discuss signs and symptoms of abdominal distress; and, identify and discuss disposition of "red flags" noted during a physical therapy examination of the abdomen.
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Hardin-Simmons University, Mabee Physical Therapy Building
Lunch this month is being ordered from Betty Rose's for $6.00. Correct change or a check made out to HSU PT is welcomed. If you would like us to order you a lunch, please RSVP by noon on Monday, March 7, 2016. If you plan to attend, please call 670-5860 or email Tricia.D.Hicks@hsutx.edu so we can have CCU certificates ready when you arrive.
Other Special Events:
2016 Rural Health at the Crossroads: Health Careers Camp Summer 2016
Building Bridges to Care Abilene, June 7-9 2016
June 20-21, 2016 Stephenville, June 14-17 2016
Overton Hotel, Lubbock TX
The 2016 Rural Health at the Crossroads Conference is currently accepting abstracts for poster presentations.
Red Cross Month
Every eight minutes, the American Red Cross brings help and hope to people in need, thanks to heroes like you. Whether you donate funds, donate blood or volunteer, we depend on your support to make a difference in communities across the country.
Each year, the president of the United States proclaims March "Red Cross Month." We use this month as a chance to honor and celebrate the everyday heroes who help us fulfill our mission. This March, we encourage you to uncover your inner hero. Choose one or more of the options below. Be a hero today!
Each March, the President of the United States commemorates and celebrates American Red Cross Month with a Presidential Proclamation. In his 2015 Proclamation, President Barack Obama stated, "for more than 130 years, the devoted women and men of the American Red Cross have responded to challenges at home and abroad with compassion and generosity. In times of conflict and great tragedy, they deliver humanitarian relief, save lives, and offer hope for a brighter tomorrow. Their service has meant so much to so many, and it reflects a fundamental American truth: we look out for one another and we do not leave anyone behind. This month, we renew our sense of common purpose and honor all those whose sacrifices have made our society more prepared, resilient, and united.
As a nurse and educator, Clara Barton dedicated her life to caring for others and alleviating suffering. After years of tending to soldiers and families in their hour of need, she established the American Red Cross, creating a force for peace and recovery in the wake of the Civil War and opening paths for millions across our Nation to serve their brothers and sisters. In the generations that followed, the American Red Cross and other service and relief organizations have combated pandemics, supported our Armed Forces, and provided disaster relief and mitigation worldwide.
In big cities and rural towns, American Red Cross volunteers support their communities, helping people donate blood, teaching first aid, and increasing local preparedness. Last year, our Nation once again bore witness to their grit and resolve as thousands mobilized in response to devastating mudslides, tornadoes, wildfires, and other emergencies. As selfless individuals step forward -- as neighbors assist neighbors, schools transform into shelters, and donations become hot meals and dry clothes -- they carry forward Barton's legacy and safeguard the promise that in moments of darkness, there is hope. They remind us that when we stand together, America emerges stronger.
Our Nation has always been shaped by ordinary Americans who dedicate their lives to achieving the extraordinary. During American Red Cross Month, let us ask what we can do for those around us and resolve to make service to others a part of our everyday lives."
Presbyterian Medical Care Mission is currently looking for passionate volunteers to help with administrative duties. If you are someone with a heart to serve, please contact Clinic Coordinator Kathy Robinson for more information. Call her at the Mission
(325) 672-5601 or send an email to: kathy@medicalcaremission.org
If you are a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician's assistant and are interested in volunteering your time to help provide quality care to our patients, please contact Executive Director Debra Burchett for more information. Call her at the Mission (325) 696-7509, or send an email to: debra@medicalcaremisison.org
Outreach Coordinator
Job Duties include:
Offer Outreach, Screening, Assessment, and Referral (OSAR) services for substance use disorders
to individuals, families, and communities within the 30 county service area of Health & Human Services Commission Region 2, which may include, but are not limited to: problem identification and referral, screening, assessment, post screening crisis intervention, motivational interviewing and follow-ups. Ensure the coordination, and implementation of the OSAR program services, issues and priorities designated by the Department of State Health Services, the OSAR Program Director, Director of Operations, and/or the Executive Director.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Ability to work independently and communicate effectively- orally and in writing.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with clients and agencies.
Ability to maintain current knowledge of prevention and early intervention
techniques, information on alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs use, abuse, and addiction, and
available programs and services.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of clients and their families/partners.
Ability to maintain required credentials.
Qualifications:
Qualified Credentialed Counselor-fully licensed and in good standing in ONE of the following certifications: License Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Psychologist. Note: counselor interns are not qualified for this position.
REACH for a Difference Monthly Family Support Group takes place the 1st Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. They meet in the United Way of Abilene office, which is located at 240 Cypress St, on the 2nd floor.
The Hendrick Diabetes Center at the Hendrick Medical Center holds Diabetes Support Group Sessions every First Tuesday of the Month. The sessions are held at the:
Shelton Building, Second Floor, 2000 Pine Street.
No cost to attend theses classes. Call the Hendrick Diabetes Center office at (325) 670-2421 with questions.
