We have had a busy couple of months for WASHAA, with an increase in the number of presentations and public meetings. I am so happy when I hear stories about how WASHAA resources or training has helped someone. Through our  ABCs of an Effective Doctor Visit  presentation, we recently received feedback from a woman who participated in our presentation that it helped her keep her father's doctor visit on track with a sample  agenda, suggested questions and other simple tools that were easy to use. Advocates in our community are able to give presentations and speak about a variety of topics!

Looking ahead, our Annual Meeting Planning Committee has chosen a theme for this year's Annual Meeting: Conscious Living and Dying. Our meeting will be 9 am to 3 pm on Friday October 5, 2018 and we will soon open early bird registration -- so mark your calendar!
 
Thank you to all of our wonderful Board Members, Advisors, Professional and Consumer members who keep WASHAA connected to our mission: Helping people transform from patient to active participant in their care.  

Here's to your good health,

Robin

Robin Shapiro
WASHAA Board Chair
WASHAA in Spokane - July 31st
Tuesday, July 31st from 2:30pm - 4:30pm 
Location: Valley Chamber of Commerce - 1421 N Meadowwood Ln, Liberty Lake, WA 99019 (Map)

  • Are you in the medical field with an interest in helping people enjoy a better healthcare experience? 
  • Are you a caregiver who is interested in learning about community resources for you and your family?
  • Do you work in social services with a desire to meet others in the Spokane area that are eager to help your clients? 
Please join us as we explore ways to leverage  WASHAA resources to help Eastern Washington residents enjoy happier lives. 

Patient Advocate Credential Board (PACB) Update - Revised Handbook for September Exam
The Patient Advocate Certification Board (PACB) certified 149 Patient Advocates (including some professional members of WASHAA) following the initial test and now the second exam will take place in September. Here is a link to the revised handbook for the exam: 
The certification exam is administered at testing sites across the United States. The next exam will be offered twice a year going forward.  For more information: 


Is Hiring a Health Advocate Right for You? - Advocate Panel

Thank you to Hartmut Stecher, PhD, MSc, Founder of Cancer Treatment Navigator, Karen Vogel, MPH, MA, Founder of KAZ Advocate, Io Dolka, Founder of GreyZone Health, and Sima Kahn, MD, Founder of Healthcare Advocacy Partners, for presenting at a panel discussion at Skyline Community on June 26th. 

This session focused on the differences between health advocacy professionals, and when hiring an advocate might make sense. Skyline has videotaped the session, which will be posted in the future on YouTube.

If you would like to learn more about each of these advocates, please visit the WASHAA Health Advocates Directory:  

WASHAA Marketplace
Are you an advocate, nurse or medical professional looking for a meaningful part-time position? If you welcome medical complexity and are intrigued by the advocacy field, we want to hear from you! 
 
GreyZone is a young and exciting medical advocacy firm that helps people with difficult to diagnose and complicated medical conditions, find answers and improve their quality of life. We serve people locally, nationwide and around the world, either in-person or remotely. 
 
We are currently growing and seeking to add a Care Advocate to our team. In this role, you will provide medical advocacy, continuous care management, and healthcare navigation services to patient clients. Find out more and apply at  https://greyzone.workable.com
 
Upcoming WASHAA Webinar

When your doctor says you are healed and your labs tests are "normal," but you still feel bad, where do you turn? Have you heard "Food is Medicine"? Sorting through the "hype" online can be annoying and can leave us overwhelmed and confused. This is where Christina Tidwell, RN, MN, CHC, Owner and Founder of Live Well with Christina, steps in. Join Christina for an eye-opening webinar on health and nutrition.

This webinar is FREE!


Living with Memory Loss Film
This film was made to promote awareness of Alzheimer's disease and other causes of early memory loss. It's beautiful, poignant, even funny, and totally worth 15 minutes of your time. This film highlights community members at the Greenwood Senior Center, part of the Phinney Neighborhood Association.  Let us know what you think about it! 

WASHAA Events
June 28 - Healing Through Nutrition Webinar - Free!
July 31 - Spokane Area WASHAA Meeting (Valley Chamber of Commerce)
September 12 - Networking Event (Skyline)
September 27 - Safe & Sound in the Hospital (PNV) - Free!
October 5 - WASHAA Annual Meeting 9am - 3pm (Center for Urban Horticulture)
December 6 - Networking Event (Skyline)

Although WASHAA speakers can give presentation on many topics, here are a few of our popular presentations: 
  • The ABCS of a Successful Doctor Visit
  • Patient Know More...Patient No More!
  • The Emerging Field of Health Advocacy 
  • Safe & Sound in the Hospital: A Short Course in Patient Safety 
  • Volunteer Health Advocate Training: Understanding the Role & Skills to Be Effective
To schedule a speaker for your community, please submit your request here:  http://www.washaa.org/request-a-presentation.html

Do you have something you would like to share with the WASHAA community?  Please submit ideas to 


Washington State Health Advocacy Association
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