Hello Scholars
It’s an especially beautiful autumn this year—hopefully everyone has something planned in the next few days that will allow enjoyment of the fall colors. If anyone ever wants suggestions for a good hike in either the Upper Valley or White Mts., feel free to ask—giving hiking advice is a favorite hobby of mine ;). In the meantime—here’s some new stuff, below.
We have a tentative “Meet your Fellow Scholars” session planned for Tuesday 10/6 at 12:10, although it might be better the following week—Tues. 10/13 at 12:00. If you hope to join and have an opinion on the date, please let me know. This will be for those folks who either are or intend to be NH AHEC Health Service Scholars.
Kate
Upcoming Live Events
Manchester Service Trip
The Geisel Global and Urban Health Scholars have been planning this trip and some of it will be virtual. They have generously invited us to attend these Zooms—happening this Saturday. If the speakers agree, the sessions will be recorded and shared in our archives. Both speakers will be talking about their work, and helping students to understand health inequities in New Hampshire.
Saturday October 3, 2020
9:00 am Anna Thomas, Director, Manchester Health Department
1:00 pm Laura McGlashan, Coordinator, NH State Refugee Health, Office of Health Equity
TDI Health Equity Series
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
12:00-1:00 pm
“Pursuing Equity: How Equity Must Become Quality’s Next Aim”
Speaker: Kedar Mate, MD (CEO and President, Institute for Healthcare Improvement)
Friday, October 23, 2020
12:00-1:00 pm
“Living on the Racial Margins in Rural New England“
Speaker: Emily Walton, PhD (Associate Professor, Dartmouth College)
Friday, November 20, 2020
12:00-1:00 pm
“How Social Inequities Create Health Inequities: An Integration of Social and Biological Mechanisms“
Speaker: Zaneta Thayer, PhD (Associate Professor, Dartmouth College)
Article of Interest
Increased demand for NH inpatient mental health treatment beds for youth. (NHPR)
The other day, there were 20 young people waiting for an inpatient bed in the state. Ordinarily, the number is in single digits. NHPR’s Peter Biello talked to Ken Norton, head of the NH chapter of NAMI, the National Association on Mental Illness. The chief issue, Norton says, is a mix of pandemic stressors on kids and challenges finding placements for people leaving the hospital.
Volunteering
Thanks for those who have chimed in on these opportunities — and putting them out there one more time for your consideration!
1. The North Country Public Health Network has invited NH AHEC HS Scholars to volunteer to assist with its drive-through flu vaccine clinics. They need a few reliable volunteers. These new adult clinics are organized with COVID safety in mind, as well as with the aim of being a model for administering a COVID vaccine later. I don’t have exact info on what type of work will be required, but anyone who volunteers will need to be there from 8am-2pm, and will need to be available for a Zoom session in advance to discuss roles. Dates and locations:
October 10 – Clifford Memorial Building, 65 South Court St, Woodsville, NH
October 17 – Lancaster EMS Building, 10 Mechanic St, Lancaster, NH
2. The Southern NH AHEC runs an after-school program for high schoolers in Manchester, NH, called Health Careers Quest. They have invited Scholars to speak on a panel for one of their sessions. Scholars would share their journey into a health profession, including the ups and downs and any tips that can help the younger students understand what is achievable.
Dates that have been offered are: November 4, November 18, December 16, and January 20. The session run from 5-7pm, via Zoom. If you would like to participate, please indicate which dates would work for you! We will just choose one.
3. Health Careers Quest is also seeking mentors. They are inviting AHEC Scholars to meet virtually with a high school student once a week, checking in with them and offering support and encouragement. This coaching/mentorship is a regular a component of the program, which begins on October 21 and runs until early May, 2021. The students enrolled are chosen for the program because they face disproportionate hurdles to entering health careers. If you are interested, please let me know and I will share more details as they become available.
Log Reminder
Remember log any Scholars-related activities online. If you have been able to do independent clinical work or community service, please make sure to enter it in the Independent Activity Log.