As we welcome a new year and a new decade I hope you will continue to commit to support health advocacy:  a skill to help patients understand, support and assert their wishes in making medical decisions.  I am so excited that there are many groups, including WASHAA, who are working together to bring public awareness to the lack of health advocacy skills and the need to change that.  Please read our enewsletter for upcoming meetings and activities which can help you and your loved ones become more skilled in health advocacy.

If you missed our WASHAA Annual Meeting on Pain & Healing, you can now access the individual presentations and earn BPCA CEUs.  The presentations require that you register online, pay a minimal fee and take a quiz in order to receive BPCA CEU credit.  You can access the sessions here:   http://www.washaa.org/ceus-understanding-pain-and-healing.html

Join experienced advocates working in the Northwest who are interested in sharing success and challenges in working in the field for networking, light hors d'oeuvres and beverages. Ever thought it might be nice to partner with another advocate to cover client load or be a back up to cover for you when you travel? Are you considering a job in health or patient advocacy and want to learn more about what the field is all about? Join advocates and other professionals who support advocates and patients for a peer-to-peer sharing event. Bring questions, challenges and success.  This discussion will be hosted by WASHAA Board Chair Robin Shapiro.

Sign Up:   https://www.eventbrite.com/e/february-health-advocacy-professional-networking-meeting-tickets-84942851355

Did you know that most people still don't know what patient advocacy is?   Nearly 80 percent of the general population doesn't know what a patient advocate is. Read the study:  https://lnkd.in/gBXrUFb. 

In October 2018, Greater National Advocates and CATSCI commissioned Rasmussen Reports and Pulse Opinion Research to create and conduct a national representative survey to determine public knowledge and awareness about patient advocates.  Greater National Advocates is building a directory of practicing advocates it intends to launch mid-February.  

Sign up here:   https://www.gnanow.org/#Awareness

Join Banister Advisors in Welcoming Best Selling Author and Non-Profit Leader Robin Shapiro for an interactive workshop on Exploring What Matters Most using The Hello Game, developed by Common Practice. You are often asked to advise your client on important matters that can touch on personal wishes. The Hello Game is a great tool to help open up a conversation on What Matters Most. During this evening workshop, you will have the opportunity to experience several questions and how to use the Hello Game tool to help support your work (and conversation with your own loved ones). 

Registration is here:   https://banisteradvisors.ticketspice.com/what-matters-most-an-evening-workshop--tool-to-support-your-clients?fbclid=IwAR2U46J4Ljenzxn8gZCN_F2sv1yIYG1RoAzFR4fUvGXqWjF5ZC0wSyi6S6o 

See The Change explores how the promotion of advance care planning can change a culture, a community, and the overarching discussion of how we would like to live.  

Registration is free:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/honoring-choices-pnw-conference-2020-see-the-change-registration-86031637945

Join us to:

• Share learnings on advance can planning work, including achievements, challenges, and needs. 
• Incorporate innovative strategies for program creation, partnership development, and broader engagement and equity. 
• Connect and network with attendees and leaders to foster collaboration and creativity. 
• Celebrate progress and plan for future success. 

We will also be hosting a game night with The Death Deck on Thursday, February 27 at 6:30 PM! Register for that here. 

February 27: Professional Networking Meeting - ( Register Here)

April 9: Case Review (Members Only)

May 13: Professional Networking Meeting

June 24: Case Review (Members Only)

September 17: Professional Networking Meeting

October 7: Case Review (Members Only)

October 22-24: ICOPA in Chicago

November 6: WASHAA Annual Meeting (Topic: Mental Health)

December 6: Professional Networking Meeting

Although WASHAA speakers can give presentation on many topics, here are a few of our popular presentations: 

• Advance Care Planning (In partnership with Honoring Choices)
• Taming Your Medicine Cabinet
• The ABCs of an Effective 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

Have a topic you wish we offered? Let us know - let's talk!