Hello Folks!  I’ve added some new sessions here—some coming up as soon as tonight.  Hoping to offer opportunities to keep up with some timely topics—there’s so much going on…

Take care,

Kate

NH AHEC Health Service Scholars Opportunities

For NH AHEC HS Scholars only.

The Role of Emergency Medical Services in Rural Healthcare with Upper Valley NH/VT First Responders

Monday, March 14, 2022 (12:30–1:30 pm)
Location: https://dartmouth.zoom.us/j/8022759582

Presenters:
Jeremy Thibeault MPA, Firefighter/Paramedic, Lebanon Fire Department; Joe Minichiello, Upper Valley Ambulance EMS member, Geisel School of Medicine student.

Objectives: 
Explore the role of EMS in rural health care, including the particular challenges posed by substance use, including opioids and methamphetamine; how EMS approaches mental health care needs; how is EMS a part of bridging barriers to care for rural and underserved populations?

This session will be recorded and included in the NH AHEC Scholars Archives

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These events are open to all and can be “counted” toward NH AHEC HS Scholar activity hours.

Plants as Medicine and Food

Tuesday, March 1, 2022 (6:00–7:30 pm)
Location: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfR9nDqnaWszneP1ibXQZyW6875mN5l24H1-3VAd3gj8Y4auA/viewfor

Presenter:
Mariah Gladstone (Blackfeet/Cherokee) 

Abstract: 
A tribally-specific window into the practical, cultural, ecological, medicinal, and/or ceremonial importance of Montana’s native plant species.

Human Trafficking and Health Care

Tuesday, March 1, 2022 (6:00 pm)
Location:  https://www.paahecscholars.org/event

Presenter:
Patricia Danner and Special Guest,  Pennsylvania AHEC

Abstract:
Human trafficking occurs in rural, suburban, and urban United States. Health professional need to be aware of tell-tale signs of trafficked individuals and how to respond effectively. This session will include a powerful presentation by a survivor of human trafficking.

The Climate Crisis and Bad Birth Outcomes in the US: What Can We Do?

Wednesday, March 2 2022 (6–7:00 pm)
Location: https://www.nhclimatehealth.org/our-event

Presenter:
NH Healthcare Workers for Climate Action; Bruce Bekkar, MD is an OB/GYN physician and full-time climate advocate.

Learning Objectives:
Discuss how the daily impacts of climate change via air pollution and increased temperatures are already associated with bad birth outcomes across the US; Describe how to apply the awareness of climate’s threats to US births to help protect their patients; Explain the vital role physicians and other health professionals can play in their communities and beyond in stopping the climate crisis

Russia-Ukraine Crisis: What are the Implications?

Wednesday, March 2, 2022 (7:00 pm)
Location: https://dartmouth.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UlCn1iiJRiuzT1IX_pCDVw

Presenter:
William C. Wohlforth, Dartmouth College Professor of Government, Faculty Coordinator-Rosenwald Fellows Program in US Foreign Policy and International Security

Abstract:
In just a handful of weeks, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has become the dominant foreign-policy story. But what are the real interests of those involved in the crisis: the Russians, the West, and the Ukrainians themselves? Daniel Webster Professor of Government William Wohlforth will unpack the history of this situation and what is happening now to help us understand why conflict in this region could have global implications. 

Project ECHO.  Overcoming Barriers to Immigrant Healthcare: Food Insecurity in Immigrant Populations

Tuesday, March 8, 2022 (12:00 – 1:00 pm) Location: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/1b3b1503426843c4bdc84f71092efdbb

Abstract:
With the goal of promoting health equity, effective communication, and improved patient care for immigrant communities in Maine, this 6-month ECHO series will be led by community health workers and others involved in immigrant healthcare in our state. This ProjectECHO taps into the wealth of community knowledge to better understand the cultural barriers that impact patient care and experience. Participants will learn from experts in the field, collaborate with community health workers, and develop long-term solutions to barriers to health. For more information or if you have any questions, please contact CHWECHO@mainehealth.org.

Approaches to Substance Use and Disorder in Youth

Tuesday, March 8, 2022 (1–2:00 pm)
Location: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_onlfJ2UFTf-C_PWGPMeUlQ

Presenter:
Marc Fishman, MD

Abstract:
Substance use and its progression to impairment, loss of control, and development of substance use disorders is a significant problem for adolescents and young adults. This presentation will provide an overview of developmentally-informed approaches to engaging youth and their families in treatment.

Braiding Western Treatment Modalities and Indigenous Approaches for SUDs: Sweetgrass Method

Wednesday, March 9, 2022 (3:00 – 4:00 pm)
Location: https://www.naadac.org/sweetgrass-method-webinar

Presenter:
M. Standing Eagle Baez, PhD, LSP, LCDC, CCBT, has worked in this field since 2000 and has provided individual and group treatment for non-Native and Native communities.

Abstract:
Limited studies examine how traditional American Indian/Alaskan Native and Western healing practices are being combined in treatment for Indigenous clients. This webinar will discuss braiding Western treatment modalities and Indigenous approaches for substance use disorders for American Indian/Alaskan Native clients by introducing a culturally responsive method called the ‘Sweetgrass Method.’ This webinar will also examine some observed responses to historical and intergenerational trauma, which include signs of overall poor physical health, depression, and substance use disorder.

Rural-Urban Differences in Adverse and Positive Childhood Experiences

Tuesday, March 15, 2022 (12:00 – 1:00 pm)
Location: Zoom (Register here)

Presenter:
Dr. Elizabeth L. Crouch (PhD, Policy Studies) is Deputy Director of the Rural and Minority Health Research Center (RMHRC) and Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Services Policy and Management at the University of South Carolina (UofSC).

Abstract:
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are events of abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction that occur between birth and 17 years of age. Multiple studies have established the association between ACEs and risky behaviors and poor physical and mental health outcomes in childhood and beyond. During this webinar, Dr. Crouch will discuss research findings that: 1) examine whether ACE and positive childhood experience (PCE) exposure differs between rural and urban children by type and by count; 2) quantify racial/ethnic disparities in ACE and PCE exposure across rural communities; and 3) document the proportion of children with ACEs who lack PCE exposure among rural children.

Structural Competence and Cultural Humility to Address Disparities and Inequities: A Foundational Health Equity Training

Monday, May 23, 2022 (9:00 am–12:30pm) Location: https://www.vpqhc.org/healthequitytrainings

Presenter:
Maria Mercedes Avila, PhD, MSW, MED provides consultation and training on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice and has trained more than 7500 providers across 27 states and 150+ organizations (hospitals, community health centers, departments of health and mental health, mental health and disability agencies, family and youth serving organizations, higher education institutions, and schools). Since 2011, Dr. Avila has been invited to lead 48 national presentations and 100+ regional sessions on topics related to National CLAS Standards, health disparities, social justice in health care, culturally responsive care and practice, social determinants of health, health and racial equity, and cultural competence in advocacy and leadership. Dr. Avila has received 14 service, training, and research awards for her work on health equity.

Learning Objectives:
Demonstrate increased self-awareness of racial, ethnic and class biases; Define cultural and linguistic competency and indicate familiarity with the stages of cultural competency (or continuum); Describe the implications of demographic trends for health disparities; Identify links between racial and health inequities and health disparities; Integrate National CLAS Standards into practice and service providing; Describe how cultural beliefs shape clinical encounters and patients’ health outcomes; Incorporate structural competence and cultural humility into service providing.

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In-person trainings and conferences

3RNET Annual Conference: The Nation’s Most Trusted Resource for Health Professionals Seeking Careers in Rural and Underserved Communities

August 30 & 31, 2022
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton, Manchester, New Hampshire

About the Conference: Join 100 attendees, speakers, and fellow sponsors from across the country coming together to learn more about recruitment and retention in rural and underserved areas. Attendees include 3RNET Network Coordinators (who represent over 6,000 employers in rural and underserved areas across the country), federal partners, and more. https://conference.3rnet.org/about.html

Participation Tracking: What, How, Why?

NH AHEC HS Scholars is funded by HRSA, the Health Resources and Services Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  HRSA is the primary federal agency for improving health care to people who are geographically isolated, economically or medically vulnerable.  This means, of course, that with the funding comes the need to report on your activities.  We aim to make this easy.  Here’s how it works:

1. Apply to the NH AHEC Scholars program here.  Give us a few sentences that describe your interest in doing so.  Answer a few questions.  Approx time needed: 5 min.
2. Once we review and accept your application, we will email you a baseline survey to gather information about you as you begin the program.  Approx time needed: 7-10 min.
3. You check out our website, with recorded sessions and other didactic resources.
4. We will email you regular newsletters about upcoming opportunities that we organize or that we think are of interest and relevant.   
5. Attended a session organized or advertised by the AHEC?  Great!  We want to know.  There are two ways to report it:
   • Go to the link of the event on our calendar, and in the description of the event, click on the Activity Log.  Give us a brief response to our questions.  Approx eval time needed: 5 min.                 
     
     -OR-
   • Keep track of it on your own, and report your attendance in the December or June Participation Tracker Survey, which will be emailed to you.
   • If you report some activities via the Activity Log and some via the Participation Tracker Survey, that’s good too!
6. Attended a non-AHEC session pertaining to one of the following topics?  Also great!  Report it via the Activity Log, as well as the emailed Participation Tracker Survey, as above.
   • Rural health care
   • Care for medically underserved populations, including those in urban areas
   • Primary care
   • Behavioral health integration into primary care
   • Telehealth
   • Substance use disorders and treatment
   • Social determinants of health
   • COVID-19
   • Addressing health disparities and inequities in NH
   • Interprofessional education and health care delivery
   • Practice transformation
7. Did you do community volunteering?  You rock. Seriously. Tell us via the Activity Log or the Participation Tracker Survey—no matter what the activity.  Let us decide if we will be able to report it for AHEC purposes.
8. Tell us about your clinical work, including volunteering, shadowing, and interning, even that which is required by your academic program.  Report it via the Activity Log or the Participation Tracker Survey.

Questions?  Let me know!

Scholars’ Bios

Add your bio to our Scholars’ page! Please forward a photo (png, jpeg fine; as high a resolution as possible) and a brief introduction to yourself (150–250 words). You are welcome to re-use something you’ve already used elsewhere!