 |
|
Dear Friends,
Along with everyone else, I'm learning to navigate this new world among my family, friends, coworkers, and community. We are fortunate to live in a time that allows us to connect virtually on many levels and to have access to real-time information. I trust that you have all been accessing the flood of information at our disposal. I won't add to the flood, but I want to express how honored I am to be working in a field dedicated to the development of health care professionals. Every day I see evidence of greatness among students and providers and I'm filled with gratitude that there are people who choose to enter professions that provide care for the rest of us, not only during this horrific pandemic, but always! Thank you is not enough.
As much as possible let's stay home to ensure our own safety and the safety of our fellow Idahoans and if we must go out, let's remember to mask up.
Take care everyone,
Katrina Hoff, Director
SW ID AHEC
|
|
|
|
Here's what you'll find in this edition:
Thank you to our many contributors! I hope you enjoy our newsletter. If you would like to submit content, please contact me at [email protected].
|
|
|
|
SW Idaho AHEC Scholars Update
The inaugural cohort of the SW Idaho AHEC Scholars completed their 6-week didactic classes in February. The course, called "Team-Based Training in Rural and Underserved Health Care I", featured opportunities to learn about the following topics in an interdisciplinary setting:
- Interprofessional Teams and Medical Errors
- Income, Education, and Health
- Adverse Childhood Experiences and Built Environment
- Practice Transformation
- Behavioral Health Integration
- Cultural Humility and Bias in Healthcare
Katrina Hoff, SW ID AHEC Director, facilitated the course using curriculum provided by WWAMI AHEC. We are especially grateful to our partners at Idaho State University-Meridian for donating the classroom space!
Concurrently, the Scholars have been completing their required 40 hours of Community/Experiential/Clinical (CEC) activities, which inlcuded volunteer work at free clinics, Community Health Centers, and hospital emergency rooms. With the new rules in place due to COVID-19 they were forced to postpone or end the activities they were engaged in and have turned to helping out with coronavirus prevention and response efforts. From 3-D printing of face shield parts to engaging in COVID-19 testing and care teams to participating in wellness calls to Ada County's most vulnerable patients, the SW ID AHEC Scholars are making me proud!
Stay tuned for an update on the activities of these amazing health profession students in the summer edition of Frontier Footnotes.
|
|
| Back row: Jennie Newman, Josephine Indart-McGee, McKenzie Hansen, Sarah Placek, Megan Fessenden, Kelsey Sarasqueta-Allen; Front row: Jason Tolman, Maddison Hiatt, Jamie Baxter; Inset: Bradley Morse |
|
Orientation to Health
Careers (OHC)
With school closures, OHC activities have halted for this year. Unfortunately, Theresa Sigel's CNA class at Caldwell High School was in the middle of a very robust OHC program when the schools closed. The students had an opportunity to learn about health careers and health career pathways from a few health professionals but their health facility tours and hands on activities were curtailed. We hope to have the opportunity to work with Ms. Sigel and Caldwell HS again in the future!
OHC is a healthcare pathway program
designed to increase the desire and motivation of students to enter health careers in rural or underserved areas. The program i
ntroduces 11th and 12th grade high school students to careers in health professions and provides exposure
to health professionals and health facilities in their own community in collaboration with h
ost community sites. OHC is
open to everyone, but is particularly focused on outreach to underrepresented minority students and students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Student participation is free and a stipend of up to $1,000 is offered to host sites to offset expenses.
We are proud to be offering OHC in partnership with the Idaho Oral Health Program, which allows us to double the number of stipends we're able to offer.
Applications may be submitted any time of year.
|
 SE Idaho AHEC Scholars Update
|
|
SE Idaho Scholars Study the Six Core Topics
First-year AHEC Scholars successfully completed their initial didactic training this winter. This dynamic course prepares students to engage with rural and underserved communities. Students receive specialized instruction on six core topics identified by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). These topics have been adapted to the unique practice needs of southeast Idaho. So, what are the six core topics anyway?
- Interprofessional Education (also known as interdisciplinary training) which supports a coordinated, patient-centered model of health care that involves an understanding of the contributions of multiple health care professionals.
- Behavioral Health Integration which promotes the development of integrated primary and behavioral health services to better address the needs of individuals with mental health and substances use conditions.
- Social Determinants of Health includes five key areas (determinants) of economic stability, education, social and community context, health and health care, and neighborhood and built environment, and their impact on health.
- Cultural Competency which seeks to improve individual health and build health communities by training health care providers to recognize and address the unique culture, language and health literacy of diverse consumers and communities.
- Practice Transformation which aims to fully support quality improvement and patient-centered are through goal-setting, leadership, practice facilitation, workflow changes, measuring outcomes, and adapting organizational tools and processes to support new team-based models of care delivery. AHEC programs are expected to develop and implement educational and training activities and build and strengthen strategic partnerships. Educational and training activities under practice transformation must target the specific skills and competencies needed to prepare students and practicing health professionals to effectively practice in a transforming health care system.
- Current and emerging health issues such as COVID-19, opioid abuse, etc.
|
|
| SE Idaho AHEC Scholars Maya Tillotson and Jason Simpson |
|
| Idaho Office of Rural Health and Primary Care |
|
RHCAP and RPIP Application Cycle is Open!
Eligible areas will be announced no later than 5-1-2020.
Applications will be released no later than 7-1-2020.
Rural Health Care Access Program (RHCAP) seeks to improve access to primary medical and dental care by strengthening healthcare systems, removing barriers, and developing partnerships to better serve communities. Eligible applicants include non-profit and government entities. The area to be benefitted must be located in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) or a medically underserved area (MUA). Applicants may request a maximum of $35,000 for one-year.
Grant categories include:
- Community development
- Telehealth projects
- Other (such as recruitment and retention activities)
Rural Physician Incentive Program
(
RPIP
)
offers an opportunity for loan repayment for rural physicians providing primary care in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA).
Successful applicants may receive a maximum of $25,000 per year for four years (
$100,000 total).
The physician must:
- Accept Medicare and Medicaid patients within the capacity of the practice
- Be Idaho medical board certified/board eligible
- Be eligible for an unrestricted Idaho medical license
Email: [email protected]
Phone:Tonne McCoy (208) 332-7944
Website: www.ruralhealth.dhw.idaho.gov
|
ECHO Idaho
|
COVID-19 Program
Last week, ECHO Idaho hosted its largest session to-date: over 725 providers, clinicians, policymakers and administrators attended the special 90-minute COVID-19 session. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive and nearly 90% of attendees requested additional sessions.
Leaders at IDHW Division of Public Health felt the same and have identified resources to support regularly scheduled COVID-19 ECHO sessions through the end of August. We expect to have a contract in place next week and aren't wasting any time to hit the ground running.
ECHO Idaho is thrilled to announce
twice weekly COVID-19 ECHO sessions starting Tuesday 3/31. See below for full details and
please share widely with any health care professionals in your network who may be interested in attending.
ECHO Idaho is honored to support Idaho's health workforce in their dedication to keep us all healthy and safe.
|
Empower Idaho Updates
|
|
Empower Idaho's COVID-19 Campaign
Empower Idaho will be sharing an awareness campaign they developed specifically for managing behavioral health and stress related to COVID19. They will be sharing their materials throughout April on their Facebook and Instagram pages (@EmpowerIdaho) and will be facilitating free live-streamed yoga classes as well.
|
|
Idaho State University News
|
|
ISU 3D Printing PPE
Idaho State University departments across campus are teaming up to use 3D printers to produce components for face shields, N95-compliant face masks and other personal protection equipment for use by ISU clinics, ISU health care workers, and Southeast Idaho emergency responders and health care workers.
Read more
|
|
Nursing Students Manning COVID-19 Hotline
Southeastern Idaho Public Health (SIPH), with assistance from the Idaho State University Kasiska Division of Health Sciences and the Medical Reserve Corp of Idaho, has a COVID-19 hotline, 208-234-5875, that the public can call to get answers about the COVID-19 virus.
|
|
ISU Faculty Interpret COVID-19 for Deaf Community
At a time when many are experiencing information overload surrounding the COVID-19 crisis, not everyone has equal access to all of the critical details of the disease and what to do to help limit the spread throughout Idaho. For at least one of these groups, the deaf community in Idaho, licensed sign language interpreters who are also Idaho State University faculty are answering the call for help.
|
|
College of Pharmacy Ranks #59 in the Nation
The country's pharmacy schools are ranked periodically as part of the U.S. News ranking system that studies a number of health related education programs. This section of rankings is based solely on the responses from peer surveys. In a statement explaining their methodologies, U.S. News says, "To gather the peer assessment data, U.S. News asked deans, program directors and senior faculty to judge the academic quality of programs in their field on a scale of 1 (marginal) to 5 (outstanding)."
|
|
Interprofessional Training with SonoSim
Through collaborative efforts between the radiographic science, Family Medicine Residency, and Physician Assistant Studies programs, Idaho State University is working hard to serve the communities of Idaho that need sonographers. Working together in this fashion is part of the ISU Kasiska Division of Health Sciences' mission to work interprofessionally across multiple health disciplines in education, training and practice.
|
|
College of Pharmacy Celebrates 100 Years
The College of Pharmacy will commemorate their 100-year history with a Centennial Celebration on September 11 & 12, 2020 in Pocatello. As the year 2020 begins, the College of Pharmacy at Idaho State University proudly celebrates 100 years of preparing leaders in pharmacy for a century. A look through the decades shows how the College proved, time after time, to be well ahead of other pharmacy schools in the nation in terms of curriculum, accreditation, and advocacy.
|
|
PA Program Celebrates 25 Years
Walter Stein, first-ever director of the Physician Assistant Program, says the program has been a much-needed asset to healthcare in Idaho since its inception in 1995 - exactly 25 years ago.
"I developed the curriculum and I had a few programs to work from. I was at George Washington University for 15 years, then in New York, then in Idaho," said Stein, who started the nationally-known medical Spanish program. "I had to go in front of the curriculum committee, and I guess I was a pushy New Yorker. But after we got the curriculum through, we had to find a space."
The space, for the first year or two, was a single-wide trailer that now resides in Davis Field. The first class was 20 students.
|
|
ICOM Student Delivers Medical Supplies Donated to St. Luke's
Student Doctor Lei Ye, a first-year medical student at ICOM and an active member of the Idaho Chinese Organization (ICO), helped to deliver masks, gloves and other supplies to help health care providers in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read more
|
|
Student-Doctors Head to the Statehouse for 'ICOM Day at the Capital'
Student-doctors at the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine, alongside President Tracy Farnsworth and Dean Thomas Mohr, connected with Idaho legislators during 'ICOM Day at the Capitol' on Monday, March 9.
Organized by ICOM's chapter of the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA), the group spoke with local legislators about graduate medical education, health care issues, student projects and more.
Read more
|
|
Hundreds Attend ICOM's Inaugural Public Health Fair
Members of the community enjoyed a day of free health care and education during the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine's first-ever Community Health Fair Saturday, February 8.
Attendees received complimentary health screenings, osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), health education and a variety of resources to support community members.
|
|
ICOM Students Produce Video Project for Idaho Urologic Institute
A group of second-year medical students at the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine recently completed a video project related to stress urinary incontinence for the Meridian-based Idaho Urologic Institute (IUI).
Student-Doctors Gina Brock, Jarom Ruby and Samantha Mallory produced a two-part video series for the IUI, containing information pertaining to the diagnosis and treatment of stress urinary incontinence. The video series was judged by a panel of physicians at IUI, including Drs. Joseph H. Williams and Lisa Parrillo.
|
|
Therapy Dogs Bring "paws"itivty During Finals Week at ICOM
As student-do
ct
ors at the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine wrapped up their final exams on Wednesday, Feb. 19, they were visited by a group of four-legged friends.
A team of therapy dogs from Go Team Therapy Dogs of Idaho, the local chapter of a national non-profit organization, visited ICOM's Meridian campus to provide stress relief and emotional support.
|
| A Reminder About Idaho's Health Insurance Marketplace
As Idaho's state-based marketplace, Your Health Idaho provides an online platform where Idahoans can shop, compare, and enroll in health insurance coverage. Your Health Idaho is also the only place where Idahoans can use a tax credit to help lower monthly insurance premiums and reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Over 89,000 Idahoans are currently enrolled in 2020 coverage through Your Health Idaho, and more than 80% of those enrolled qualify for a tax credit. This translates to real savings for Idahoans when a family of four making between $35,535 - 103,000 annually could qualify for lower-cost health insurance.
Although the open enrollment period for 2020 health insurance has ended, coverage may still be available for those individuals and families who experience certain Qualifying Life Events like moving, having a baby, or losing their existing coverage. If eligible, these life events allow individuals and families to enroll in coverage with Your Health Idaho with a Special Enrollment Period.
So, what does this mean for you as a provider? If you believe a patient or their family may have a Qualifying Life Event, direct them to the Your Health Idaho website where they can find more information and even get help for free from a Your Health Idaho-certified Consumer Connector. These insurance agents, brokers, and enrollment counselors can walk your patients and their families through the process and find a plan that is right for them, all at no cost.
Reminding patients that they have options is the best way we can help people find comprehensive, affordable coverage. For more information about Qualifying Life Events and how to get covered, please visit our website at:
|
|
SW Idaho AHEC
is/was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U77HP03022, for the WWAMI Area Health Education (WWAMI AHEC) Program Office and its five regional Centers in the total amount of $639,012 for the 2018-19 fiscal year (with a 1:1 total match of $639,012 from non-federally funded governmental sources). This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.
|
|
|
|
|
|
