Champlain Valley Area Health Education Center
r e n e v n o C The
cess to Quali Improving Ac
ty Health Care Fall 2008
Connecting the AHEC Dots… by Alice Christian, Executive Director
• • • •
If you are reading this, then you must care about improving the quality of health care through education. Thank you for your care; we couldn’t begin to accomplish our mission without folks like you. It’s a mission that involves bringing people from academia and the community together. I invite you to learn from these pages how you may fit in with the Champlain Valley Area Health Education Center’s (AHEC) diverse array of programs and resources. This fall as we begin a strategic planning process, we hope to engage our community partners in conversations about how to continue to be Special points of interest: relevant and effective 2008 MedQuest Programs…....2—4 in a time of shrinking resources. What are the Health Careers Spotlight—Public Health Nurse............................5 best ways to do that? Join Us for Shadow Day….…...….6 Our hardworking staff consistently garners Health Careers Presentations for high marks for their Middle Schools……….……….....7
• PTOPhelp.org…...……………....7 • Supporting Cultural Competency….7
health careers awareness work, which you will read about within this newsletter. As we look at these programs, we are asking ourselves: How can we best translate the work with youth up the career ladder to ensure that these students will have adequate openings in Vermont educational institutions? How will we best support them to study in rural areas so that they might, as has been show time and again in studies, decide to stay and work there? There may be a need to expand the programs that facilitate rural rotations and projects that foster an appreciation for rural areas. For Champlain Valley AHEC, a particular challenge in our region is how best to meet the needs of some of the most underserved populations in our state, such as refugees, migrant workers and others. For a concrete example, as our Board secretary, Judith Cohen, pointed out in an
Op-Ed piece in the August 27, 2008 Burlington Free Press, efforts to recruit into the nursing workforce reach a bottleneck with the shortage of nursing faculty. Moreover, there are currently no dental or pharmacy schools in Vermont, which hampers best endeavors to keep Vermont’s youth here in Vermont and working in underserved areas. In the current rapidly changing economic and political environment, we need to be ready to see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow in ways that will continually improve access to quality health care in our community. Our National AHEC Organization puts it succinctly: Connecting students
to careers, professionals to communities, and communities to better health.
We invite you to find yourself in one of those connections and help us to connect the dots.
Welcome to our Administrative Coordinator!
Please help us welcome Marnie Rivett as our new Administrative Coordinator. Marnie brings to Champlain Valley AHEC years of experience in office administration. She spent the last five years as an office manager and bookkeeper for a construction management company and several years before that working for an in-home health care agency as the Administrative Receptionist and Scheduling
Coordinator for Southern Vermont. Marnie also recently received an Associates of Business degree from the Community College of Vermont. Marnie is an excellent problem solver, detail oriented and a team player. Marnie can be reached at 802-527-1474 x10 or via email at
[email protected].
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 2
Champlain Valley Area Health Education Center
2008
Page 2
Health Careers Exploration Programs
student, served as the Lead MedQuest Assistant. During the week the students had the chance to live in a UVM dorm and experience life in an July MedQuest participants academic at NMC in St. Albans. setting, including daily interactions with UVM Once again this summer, and local hospital faculty Champlain Valley AHEC and staff. was proud to hold two Each day was scheduled so MedQuest Health Careers that the students Exploration Programs. The experienced a different programs were held on the environment, different University of Vermont health care professionals, (UVM) campus and took and various topics on health place during the weeks of care. Topics such as confidentiality, medical ethics, infection control, infectious disease, pathology and gross anatomy, the many different faces Janet Schwarz, Senior Research Lab of nursing, Technician gives students a tour of basic medical the Pathology Museum at UVM. skills, CPR training and much June 22 - 27, 2008 and July more were presented and 6 - 11, 2008. Both programs discussed. Job shadowing, consisted of 16 students matching a student with a entering 11th and 12th preceptor in a health care grades. career, took place on three This year we were lucky to days at three different local welcome back some veteran hospitals. MedQuest Assistants— Sunday afternoon began Sarah Mulligan, a third year with a teambuilding activity UVM College of Medicine to help break the ice. The (COM) student and Laura group then went on a Eichorn, 7th grade teacher campus tour after dinner. at Missisquoi Valley Union. Monday was spent in the In addition, Theodore UVM COM, exploring Elsaesser, Lauren Wendell topics relevant to the and Hugo Valencia, all upcoming week. Tuesday, second year UVM COM Wednesday and Thursday students, were staff were spent at one of the members and Erin Perko, local hospitals—Porter second year UVM COM Medical Center in
Edward Borrazzo. With the Middlebury, Northwestern technology and AV Medical Center (NMC) in equipment, students were St. Albans and Fletcher not only able to watch the Allen Health Care in surgeries, but communicate Burlington. By visiting three with the doctors and hospitals, the students got professionals in the an idea of what it might be operating room. After the like working in a smaller, surgery, Dr. Borrazzo and more rural hospital versus OR residents came in to working in a large hospital environment. Some students were also placed within the mentioned communities to experience private health care practices. Each night the students met to debrief about the day’s Gabrielle Heath and Katie Bedard presentations shadowing Registered Dietician Kay Tran at Northwestern Medical Center. and their specific job speak to the group about shadow the surgery and answer experience. Thursday questions. This was an afternoon was spent at amazing opportunity for the Vermont Student students, one that they had Assistance Corporation looked forward to all week. (VSAC) in Winooski where A final celebration was VSAC staff and counselors enjoyed by participants, introduced the students to staff, and parents during career research using Friday’s End-of-Program computer programs and Celebration where the their library resource center MedQuest Assistants put for future education together a slide show of planning. VSAC staff also pictures taken throughout met individually with the the week. Parents enjoyed students to discuss seeing what their children academic planning, financial had done and seen during aid, and other topics the students may have had the week. questions about. Friday morning was spent in the UVM COM watching a live telemedicine surgery. The surgeries were performed by Fletcher Participants from the June MedQuest Allen Health program at Porter Medical Center in Care’s Dr. Middlebury.
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THE CONVENER
Quotes...
ts est Assistan u Q d e M e From th
♦
“MedQuest is an amazing opportunity to explore numerous health care fields that are often not well known or require a lot of thought before committing.”
♦
“A rewarding way to spend one week of your summer, providing high school students with an introduction to the medical field that few have at their age.”
♦
cipants i t r a P e h t From careers that I didn’t know anything about before (and I had fun while doing it!)”
Students participated in infection control training...
♦
♦
“MedQuest is a great program and I learned so much about different
♦
“A one of a kind, lifechanging experience.”
♦
“MedQuest is an awesome and invaluable experience. I learned so much about myself and different medical careers.”
“It’s always nice to talk to From students that are interested in our career. The MedQuest students are always attentive and ask very intelligent questions, so it’s easy to have them shadow us.”
♦
“I would recommend MedQuest to any student who is interested in going to college and looking for a health-related career. This is the best opportunity out there for Vermont students.
...and teambuilding activities.
rs the Precepto
ER doctor). Kudos to you and the team for opening the eyes of these individuals.” ♦
“I really think the program you run is a great one. It is so hard to decide what career path to go down and what looks good on ♦ “The student asked some paper does not necessarily Sidney Hilker, Champlain great questions and she Valley Union student, shadows translate to real life. This is a seemed to understand what Christine Galuzka, RT at great reality check before was going on. It was really Northwestern Medical Center. getting the formal education nice to see such a young needed for a particular career.” person with an outstanding goal (to be an ♦
“My daughter enjoyed the whole week and would have stayed the summer if she was able. She loved all
arents From the P three shadowing experiences—yet she is still undecided what to
pursue in college. This experience has opened her eyes to many great possibilities.”
Champlain Valley Area Health Education Center
“MedQuest was a great opportunity to help the younger generation of Vermonters explore Ryan Parizo, Mt. Mansfield Union exciting career student and Lauren Wendell possibilities in (MedQuest Assistant) at the UVM health care.” Nursing lab.
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 2
Page 4
2008 Health Careers Exploration Program
Champlain Valley Area Health Education Center
Champlain Valley Area Health Education Center would like to thank the following organizations and individuals for collaborating with us on MedQuest 2008. We could not have done it without your help! Sarah Adams Julie Alosi, MD Aaron Altman, PT Kristofer Anderson, MD Christine Ardell Cassandra Babson, RN Jackie Baker, RN Lindsay Baldwin, RN Diana Barnard, MD Meghan Barnes, CLS Joanne Barton, RN Susan Bellemare, RN Eric Benz, MD Marc Bessette Sandra Beynnon, RDH Kristen Bird, RN Joan Blackmore, RN David Blin, MT Edward Borrazzo, MD Steve Boudah Rachel Bouvier, RN Lakshmi Joshi Boyle, MS Judy Bragg, RN Jody Brakeley, MD Rebecca Brakeley Megan Branon Megan Brunovsky Catherine Buck Leah Burke, MD Erica Caloiero Laura Cameron, SLP Kathy Campbell, PA Emily Cannon, ND Kelly Carpenter, RN Martha Casavant-Ries, PT Ron Chasse Rajan Chawla John Chesarek, RPh Debbie Choquette, RN Harry Clark Robert Cochrane, MD Moira Cook Elizabeth Cote Robin Crowe, LPN Holly Curry, PT Shane Cutler Jim Daily Elsie Daly Paula Marie Deming Laurie DeSautels Robert Dodds Pat Donehower, MSN, RN Lori Dotolo
Paula Duncan, MD Nancy Durham Laura Eichorn Theodore Elsaesser Ann Espinoza Christa Farrar, RN Johanne Fredette, PT Carter Frieberg, MD David Fuller Christine Galuszka, RT Sheila Gencarelli, PharmD Pamela Gibson, MD Christine Giummo Christine Griffin Terry Griffith, RDH Neil Gruber Phyllis Hall, RN Ron Hallman Marty Hammond Leanne Haskin-Leahy, MS Karen Herrmann Sarah Hoffert Peter Hofstetter, FACHE Lewis Holmes, MD Lucas Holzman, RT Travis Hunerdosse, PharmD Laurie Hurowitz Celeste Kane-Stebbins, RN Janet Kaplan, CNM Karen Keller Bruce Kimball Amanda Kimel Kevin King, RN Fred Kniffin, MD Nathan Kokinda, MS Carly Kovacevic, NP Kylee Ladd, PA Sarah Lake, RN Margaret Laughlin Nancy Lindberg Robert Macauley, MD Kate McIntosh, MD Dolly MacNeil Sarah Malinowski, RTR Roya Mansoorani, MD Laurie McLean MJ McMahan, RN Molly Merkert, RN Heidi Messier, RN Vincent Miller, MD George Milne
Theresa Miner Felicia Montineri Jesse Moore, MD Melissa Moore Sal Morana, RPh, PhD Melinda Morrison, RDMS Sarah Mulligan Thomas Munschauer, DVM Jennifer Nachbur Barb Newell, RN Dane Michael Nichols Jen Oxford Mary Val Palumbo, PhD Alison Parker, NP Erin Perko Desarae Perras, RN Robert Perrin, DMD Chuck Powden MJ Radja, RN William Raszka, MD Mimi Reardon, MD Connie Reynolds Bill Roberts, MD Mary Jean Robinette, RN Ben Rosenberg, MD Karen Rounds Bill Russell Joseph Salomone, MD Willy Savage, PT Marc Scarano Nancy Schaedel Michelle Schwartz Janet Schwarz Patty Shaw Eddie Slowikowski Jennifer Smith Michelle Sowden, MD Jodi Spaulding Kevin Spencer, RN Caroline Stephens Michael Sutherland, MD Susi Taylor Kay Tran, RD Leonard Tremblay, MD Maureen Tremblay, RN Mitchell Tsai, MD Jillian Turner Cindy Vaillancourt, RN Hugo Valencia Sue Vittum Chad Volk, DC Greg Ward, RPT
Carolyn Weber, PT Lauren Wendell Stephanie Willson Curtis Wood Alan Wright Ellen Wright Christin Young, CNM PJ Zimakas, MD Alison Zimmer, PT Champlain Valley Cardiovascular Associates Fletcher Allen Health Care (FAHC) FAHC Pathology Residents FAHC Department of Surgery Given Dining Services Harris Dining Hall Helen Porter Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center M & C Transportation Northeastern Vermont AHEC Northwestern Medical Center (NMC) NMC Laboratory Department Porter Medical Center (PMC) PMC Emergency Dept. PMC Family Birth Center PMC Laboratory PMC Radiology PMC Respiratory Therapy University of Vermont (UVM) UVM AHEC Program Office UVM College of Medicine Telemedicine UVM Conference & Event Services UVM Extension, 4-H Teen Congress Vermont Student Assistance Corporation VSAC Outreach Counselors
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 2
Page 5
Health Careers Spotlight—Public Health Nurse people were employed as registered nurses, making this the single largest occupation in Public health nursing is a the healthcare field. specialized form of registered nursing According to the Department of Labor, (RN) that combines nursing and employment of registered nurses is public health principles. Public health expected to grow “much faster than average” during the nurses work to promote, maintain, preserve upcoming decade. Typically registered nurses earn a salary and improve the health of large populations. of $42,020 to $87,310 per year. They work in the areas of prevention of For those interested in a career as a public health nurse, disease, injury, disability and premature death. Public high school course work should include an emphasis on health nurses work as a team with other public health math and science. Public health nurses have, at minimum, professionals such as environmental health specialists, health educators, epidemiologists, public health physicians a master’s degree or an RN (Registered Nurse) degree. Once a student has graduated from an approved nursing and nutritionists. They work with local communities to assess and prioritize the major health problems and work program, they must then pass the NCLEX, a national examination, in order to obtain a nursing license. In on a plan to eliminate these problems. addition, nurses must be licensed by the state in which Public health nurses work in a variety of settings, including they will practice. schools and the workplace. They also work in local For more information on a career as a public health nurse, government health departments. According to the 2006 please visit the American Nursing Association website at U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, about 2.5 million http://www.nursingworld.org/. In the Health Careers Spotlight we focus on a health career that is currently facing a shortage.
Destiny Cadieux, RN, PHNS, is the Public Health Nursing Supervisor at the Vermont Department of Health (VDH). Destiny received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Vermont. We recently spoke with Destiny to discuss her experiences working in the field of Public Health Nursing.
Q How did you become interested in becoming a Public Health Nurse? A Actually, I started to work for the Vermont Department of Health because the hours and physical location fit into my life. I’m the mother of three kids and it just worked for me. I knew very little about Public Health before I started working here. Q How long have you been working as a Public Health Nurse? A For seven years.
A Professionally, yes. The administrative assistant, Karen,
here at the office recruited me. I had been doing a community health rotation in my last year of school here at Family Services. I needed to borrow a cart from VDH to transport some materials. I was bringing the cart back when Karen asked who I was and why I had their cart. When she found out, she asked if I needed a job as they had an opening and the rest is history. Personally, my mom. She is a labor and delivery RN at Northwestern Medical Center. I loved hearing the stories about what was happening that night on the floor when she’d get home. There is just something wonderful about bringing new life into the world.
Q What personal needs are satisfied by your occupation? Q What other alternatives did you consider? A Although I never would have picked this aspect of A I had thought I’d work as a labor and delivery RN registered nursing for myself originally, I truly love it. (registered nurse). I did that for a short time at Fletcher I work in a wonderful office, with wonderful people Allen Health Care while I was in school and then when and my days never look quite the same. I also work I was newly graduated. They did not have a full-time in my community, which is important to me. On a job to offer at the time and I needed the job security. I large scale, everyday the work I do impacts my always knew I wanted to get into the health field. I global environment. I’m helping prepare for local thought about being an obstetrician at one time but wasn’t and national emergencies; I’m participating in initiatives to ready for the long educational commitment. Then I address chronic health concerns like obesity and substance thought about nursing. I very much appreciated the more abuse; I’m working with community stakeholders to personal touch of this profession. The nurturing aspect support and promote breastfeeding; I’m working with a speaks to me. diverse community team to reconstruct our system of care. Q Did any person influence your decision to become On a more intimate level, I’m working with a mom whose a Public Health Nurse? (Continued on page 6)
Champlain Valley Area Health Education Center
An Interview with Destiny Cadieux, RN, PHNS, Public Health Nursing Supervisor at the Vermont Department of Health
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 2
Page 6
Interview with Destiny Cadieux continued...
Champlain Valley Area Health Education Center
(Continued from page 5)
infant is in state custody find success with breastfeeding. I’m also helping to mentor a new generation of nurses entering the workforce and this is just the tip of the iceberg. All of this being said, the number one need that is met for me is that I get to participate in improving the environment in which my children live, play and grow.
Q What are kinds of people do you work with? Coworkers, clients...? A All kinds—doctors, other RN’s, lab specialists, social workers, domestic violence prevention staff, police, teachers, first responders and politicians. I work with low, middle and upper class folks from all races and ethnic groups. Basically, I work with everyone and anyone.
Q What do you like best about your job and what aspects cause you the most frustration? Q In what ways has your occupation changed you as A The thing I like best is that every day is different and I a person? get to help people. The most frustrating aspect is the A It helps me to understand that even though I have politics. struggles, there are those who have it worse. It challenges me to see the world through another’s eyes. It shows me Q What are the career ladder possibilities in this field? that there are worlds of possibilities that lie just around A You can be a Public Health RN, District Director, the corner. Public Health Specialist, Director of Field Operations, Q If you could have chosen any occupation (no Division Chief, Deputy Commissioner of Public Health, limits) what would it be? Commissioner of Public Health, and others. A Knowing what I know, I would have chosen this. Q How does the economy impact this field? Q If you didn’t have to work, would you anyway? If A It is directly impacted as we are funded through state not, what would you do? and federal funds. In times of prosperity we thrive and in A Yes, on a more part-time basis. times of economic hardship we are asked to cut budgets while trying to continue to provide quality services. Q Describe the demands of your job... A I work 40 hours per week. I supervise six positions and Tough balance! seven different programs. I also participate in numerous Q Do you encournter any problems combining your community meetings. job with your family life? A Yes, but for the most part my hours Q Q What personal characteristics are desirable to and manager are flexible enough that be a good Public Health Nurse? I can juggle both. A To be a successful Public Health Nurse you should have the following characteristics: flexibility, patience, Q What advice would you give open-mindedness, good communication skills, resilience, someone who is planning to enter persuasiveness, articulate, savvy, optimistic, and be a this field? quick learner. A Get at least a bachelors level degree. This offers far more maneuverability within the field.
Join Us for Health Careers Exploration Shadow Day Champlain Valley AHEC, in partnership with Fletcher Allen Health Care (FAHC) and Northwestern Medical Center (NMC), is pleased to announce two upcoming Health Careers Exploration Shadow Day events in April 2009. FAHC Shadow Day is scheduled for April 20, 2009 and NMC Shadow Day is scheduled for April 24, 2009. Health Careers Exploration Shadow Day is an opportunity to
explore health careers through a day of health career related presentations and workshops as well as one 2-3 hour job shadow with a health care professional. The goal of the program is to encourage students, who might not
otherwise have the opportunity, to consider a career in health care. The day is designed to help students develop comfort in a health care environment, explore and strengthen skills and resources needed for health career development and to offer the opportunity to shadow a health care HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS! professional in their work setting. We are looking for volunteers to allow Students who are interested in students to follow you in your work setting applying for the Health Careers for a brief period. Help students get a real Exploration Shadow Day program, understanding of the health care world! Call please visit our website at Kylee Ryan at 802-527-1474 x14 for www.cvahec.org for more more information. information.
Page 7
THE CONVENER
Health Career Presentations Updated for Middle Schools
Pathways Conference Indefinitely Postponed With the news that funding from the VT Department of Labor will be reduced by 75% beginning February 2009, the VT AHEC Network made a difficult decision to postpone its new Pathways conference for high schoolers that had been scheduled for November. The decision allowed
partner agencies to preserve staff positions that support ongoing activities. We truly regret the disappointment to students who applied and to our referrers who helped us with event outreach. We are following up to assist students with immediate health career information needs.
To receive information about future conference or fairs for High Schoolers, call Karin or Kylee at 802-527-1474 or email
[email protected].
PTOPhelp.org makes Mental Health Referrals Easier PTOPhelp.org is Vermont’s web-based mental health referral directory. Visitors search the directory through its “Find a Match” tool 6000 times a month! “Find a Match” identified mental health practitioners based on distance from patient, insurances/payments accepted, specialties and treatment modalities. This year we have Visit PTOPhelp.org and try “Find a Match” today
set an ambitious goal to expand the directory to 75% of all mental health practitioners in the state. With help from the Students First project of Howard Center for Human Services, we are sending mailings to all Chittenden County practitioners and the mailings to the rest of the state will follow.
HELP PTOP GROW! Ask mental health practitioners you know “Are you registered with PTOPhelp.org?”
FOR INFORMATION call Karin Hammer-Williamson at 802-527-1474 x11
Champlain Valley AHEC Builds Efforts to Support Cultural Competency The VT AHEC Network partners have designated Champlain Valley AHEC as the lead Center for our Cultural Competency efforts. We maintain a Cultural Competency manual on our website at www.cvahec.org (see Publications) that will be updated soon. In conjunction with needs assessment leading to a new strategic plan, we will be asking primary care practices about their needs in this area. In the meantime, if you have an idea or need help identifying a resource to meeting your cultural competency needs, please
contact Karin HammerWilliamson at 802-527-1474 x11 or
[email protected]. Training Medical Interpreters— Champlain Valley AHEC has purchased a “Bridging the Gap” medical interpreter training license to be shared with Association of Africans Living in Vermont, Community Health Center of Burlington, Fletcher Allen Health Care, and Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program. Over two years, the agencies will offer multiple sessions of the 40 hour medical interpreter training. We will increase
existing interpreters’ skills and grow the interpreter workforce. Champlain Valley organizations that provide health and related services to migrant farm workers will also be eligible to send member staff and volunteers to trainings. Experienced local interpreter Guylaine Daoust attended the Cross Cultural Health Care Program’s “Bridging the Gap” training for trainers this July in Seattle, Washington. She will lead “Bridging the Gap” trainings. We are excited about this new collaboration with Guylaine and all our partners.
Champlain Valley Area Health Education Center
Thanks to support from the VT Department of higher education an option. Careers are There’s a Labor, Champlain Valley AHEC has adapted its explored in clusters to help younger students Health Career for high school classroom presentation for middle understand that, for a given interest or topic, schools. Guidance counselors throughout the there are many related health careers to ME! state found that by the time they reach high consider. Presentation dates are available school, some students thought they could not pursue from November through May. To request a Health health careers or study beyond high school. The new Careers Presentation at your Middle School, call Karin Health Careers presentation raises awareness that Hammer-Williamson at 802-527-1474 x11 or email health careers are great careers, and helps students
[email protected]. identify attainable steps to keep health careers and
Champlain Valley Area Health Education Center Champlain Valley Area Health Education Center 152 Fairfield Street St. Albans, VT 05478
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
the Web! We’re on ec.org h www.cva
Permit No. 40 St. Albans, VT
Phone: 802-527-1474 Fax: 802-527-1632
Address Service Requested
Board of Directors Pat Donehower, MSN, RN President Judith Cohen, RN, PhD Vice President Jody Brakeley, MD Secretary Kevin Cote, CPA Treasurer Rebecca Brakeley David Congalton, DDS Moira Cook Elizabeth Cote, Director UVM AHEC Program Cheryl Gibson, MD Clare Larose
Dan Larrow, MD Michelle Lawrence, CPA Sen. Virginia Lyons Emily Willis
Champlain Valley AHEC Staff Alice Christian, MPA Executive Director Kylee Ryan Program Coordinator Karin Hammer-Williamson, BASW Education Resource Coordinator Tammy Johnson Data Manager/Public Relations Coordinator Marnie Rivett Administrative Coordinator
Funding support for the Champlain Valley Area Health Education Center is provided by the University of Vermont College of Medicine through contributions from the Health Resources and Services Administration, Fletcher Allen Health Care, the University of Vermont, the State of Vermont, and community hospitals. Vermont’s AHEC Program is a statewide network of the Northeastern VT AHEC, the Champlain Valley AHEC, the Southern Vermont AHEC, and the UVM College of Medicine.