Dear Colleague,
As new data spotlights the importance of patient-provider concordance and the unequal toll of the COVID-19 pandemic on historically marginalized communities, the need to create a more just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive healthcare system for patients and clinicians alike has come into ever-sharper focus. This week, the Associations of Clinicians for the Underserved is honoring National Minority Health Month with resources to support our workforce and empower CHCs to remain at the forefront of addressing health inequities.
Learn about our new Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) e-courses and recommendations on addressing hate crimes in primary care settings below, and read on for updates on our 2023 Conference, the latest news in advocacy to preserve funding for the National Health Service Corps, upcoming webinars on vision care and suicide prevention, a blog post on holistic strategies to address post-COVID burnout, and more.
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Take Our New E-Courses on Racism in Healthcare & Having Tough Conversations
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Read Our Recommendations in Addressing Hate Crimes in Primary Care Settings
In 2020, hate crimes in the U.S. rose to their highest levels in 12 years, and many other hate-related incidents went unreported. The U.S. Departments of Justice and HHS recommend engaging healthcare providers, clinics, and health systems to help address these incidents, and ACU's JEDI Committee has developed recommendations to support administrators and clinicians delivering care and services for individuals who may have experienced hate crimes.
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Our Conference Agenda Is Now Available! Browse Sessions & Register to Join Us at #ACUConf in Washington, D.C.
Curious to learn what's in store at ACU's 2023 Conference, "Transformation: Elevating Care, Clinicians, & Communities," on July 23-26? You can now view session descriptions and presenter details in our agenda! Clinicians, administrators, and advocates alike will find useful workshops in our symposium's tracks: Clinical Practice, Community Engagement and Advocacy, Development and Training Programs, and Recruitment & Retention. Sign up now for 20+ CME-accredited workshops, pre-Conference trainings, networking, and more.
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Meet Our 2023 Conference Keynote Speakers
Other speakers will be confirmed soon!
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Associate Administrator of the Bureau of Health Workforce & NHSC Director
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Writer, Activist, & President of Harvard Medical School's Student Council
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Associate Administrator of the Bureau of Primary Health Care
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Don't Miss Our White Paper on the National Health Service Corps (NHSC)
ACU's new publication showcases the NHSC's 50-year legacy of success, as well as its funding history, the looming FY23 fiscal cliff, and our call to Congress to preserve and expand this vital program. Read our white paper to learn more about the Corps' structure and role in increasing clinical diversity, and why Congress must act to ensure longterm, sustainable funding, which expires in just 164 days.
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The Campaign to #SavetheNHSC Continues: Stay Tuned for More Calls to Action
The future of the NHSC still hangs in the balance. Thanks to your advocacy, many U.S. House Representatives and Senators signed letters calling for renewed Corps funding, and Senator Durbin (D-IL), who introduced bipartisan legislation with Senator Rubio (R-FL), issued an urgent call for support in the U.S. Senate. ACU played a pivotal role in shaping the Senate bill, and we need your help to make legislation to #SavetheNHSC a reality. Learn about the Corps, stay tuned for more, and become an advocate and encourage your colleagues to do so, too!
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Further NHSC & Policy Resources
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New Webinars Explore Best Practices for Eye Health & Vision Care Billing at Health Centers
Where should health centers start in terms of billing and coding for vision services? As part of our "Eyes on Access" series with the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) and Prevent Blindness, a webinar on April 27 and office hours session on May 18 will explain how CHCs can bill for these services, how Medicare and Medicaid reimburse for services, and more. Register now or review previous webinars in our series.
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Join Our Webinar on Practical Suicide Prevention Strategies for Primary Care
Half of all patients who end their lives by suicide visit a primary care provider in the month before their passing, making these visits vital chances to intervene. However, many clinicians receive little education in prevention. Join ACU and the American Association of Teaching Health Centers for a webinar to learn how to identify patients at risk and intervene in primary care. Register for a discussion useful for students and practicing clinicians alike.
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Read Our Guide for Clinicians in Training on Strategies for Suicide Prevention in Primary Care
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Join Us Next Week to Learn How to Prepare the Mental Health Workforce for Leadership Roles
Monday, April 24: 4-5 p.m. ET
Members of the mental health workforce are highly trained and uniquely positioned to serve in health center leadership. Join ACU's STAR2 Center for this session highlighting mental health practitioners' strong leadership qualities, potential career pathways, and the crucial role training plays in identifying and preparing this group for future leadership roles.
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Don't Miss the Virtual 2023 Biennial Workforce Summit Coming in May
May 23 and 24: 12-5 p.m. ET
Register now for the 2023 Biennial Workforce Summit presented by ACU's STAR2 Center, Community Health Center, Inc., and NACHC. This virtual event will explore cultivating inclusive cultures for the CHC workforce that reflect the patient population, advancing career pathways for professional development, supporting workforce wellness environments, and more.
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New Blog Post Explores Holistic Post-Pandemic Recovery for the CHC Workforce
The COVID-19 pandemic forced already overburdened health center staff into the role of frontline disaster responders, exacerbating existing moral distress, burnout, and fatigue. The latest post in ACU's Allying for Health Equity blog explores what we can do to support our workforce in holistic recovery by improving work environments, preparing for future crises, and building resiliency. Read the post and find further CHC workforce resources in our STAR2 Center.
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Access the SDOH Academy's Recent Innovation Webinar Series
The Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Academy recently highlighted the exceptional work of health centers addressing SDOH in two webinars. Watch the first session featuring Greater Lawrence Family Health Center and stay tuned for the recording of the second session featuring HOPE Clinic, Access Health, and Montana Primary Care Association.
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Further Workforce Resources
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Welcoming Our Latest Member
ACU welcomes Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center (HSNHC) as our latest organizational member. First opening in 1969 as part of the Boston Department of Health and Hospitals, this FQHC continues to provide the Boston area with comprehensive healthcare services and programs to improve the lives of their patients. Is your organization committed to health equity? Learn more about ACU membership and contact us.
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The NHSC Loan Repayment Program & Scholarships Deadline Is Next Week
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Geiger Gibson Report Underscores the Need to Extend the CHC Fund for Health Centers
Over 30 million patients in medically under-resourced areas rely on health centers for care and services, and public funding is crucial to sustain these programs. The Geiger Gibson Program in Community Health recently examined the essential role of continued federal grant funding in allowing CHCs to fulfill their mission to provide quality care to those who need it most.
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American Lung Association Launches COPD Awareness Campaign
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of disability and death in the U.S., and millions of Americans may have the disease without knowing it. Early diagnosis is key. The American Lung Association's educational campaign aims to help people learn about COPD's early warning signs and talk to providers about risk factors and symptoms.
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The Latest from ACU's Career Center
Our Career Center is an excellent resource for job seekers or healthcare organizations seeking to hire quality staff to serve medically under-resourced populations. ACU Members get premier access by logging in to our member portal and using the discount code. This week, ACU is highlighting the following positions:
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Don't forget: ACU offers free vision care job posts for FQHCs and lookalikes. Learn more.
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Upcoming Webinars:
Archived Webinars:
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ACU is here to help: if we can do anything to better support your work to improve care and advocate for patients living in historically marginalized communities, please contact our Executive Director Amanda Pears Kelly with any feedback.
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