Dear HealthAdvocateX Community, | |
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It is my birthday month – shared with many LEOs in the health advocacy field including Trisha Torrey! I am sharing a photo and memory from my 11th birthday pictured with my Dad (and my sister age 9 in this picture). Looking back not knowing what the future would hold I was SO HAPPY with the home-made cake and family celebration. I think at that age I wanted to be a gymnast because I was so enthralled with Nadia Comenici’s performance at age 14 in the 1976 Olympics as the first person to score a perfect ’10.’ Our neighbor put up a balance beam in their yard for his twin daughters and I to practice (it was set on the ground not 4+ feet off the ground in actual competitions). I loved the steady, sturdy beam as my favorite piece of equipment in what would be a short-lived gymnastics team sport for me.
All these years later, I can see the parallels (pun intended on the Parallel bars!) to the field I would pursue. Gymnastics requires a lot of the same skills as health advocacy:
- Understand the boundaries you need to work within (you can’t fall off the beam, go outside the floor boundary lines, etc.)
- Your selected ‘routine,’ requires skills, creativity, practice and control in order to achieve a good end result
- Along the way, there are missteps, that can be recovered, but keeping your eye on end results
- Your process is time-sensitive, so thinking through steps and recovery is essential.
I am so grateful to be part of this beautiful health advocacy community that has been built with hard work, patience, comradery and professionalism over the years. Thanks to all of you and know that on my birthday, I will be raising a glass of something fun to toast you TOO!
Here’s to YOUR good health,
Robin and the Team at HealthAdvocateX
PS - Want to make my birthday extra special this year? Consider making a donation to HealthAdvocateX through my Facebook Fundraiser or our website.
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Community Conversation - August 12, 2024 | |
The Human Health Consequences of Climate Change in Washington
When: August 12, 2024 | 11am – 12pm (PT)
Where: Online via Zoom (Register Here)
Cost: FREE! Also available for 1.0 BCPA CE
Join HealthAdvocateX for a discussion on how climate change exacerbates health issues in the region. The presentation will explore the rise in respiratory illnesses due to worsening air quality, the spread of infectious diseases, and the mental health challenges linked to climate-related anxiety and displacement. It will also discuss the disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities and the importance of implementing adaptive measures to protect public health.
Learning Objectives
- Define climate change.
- Discuss how this fosters the ability of these illnesses to occur.
- Discuss what measures are needed to change this occurrence.
BCPA CE will be 1 hour; category will be general knowledge.
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Mark Vossler, M.D. is the chair of the climate and health program at Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility. He completed Medical School at University of Rochester, Internal Medicine Residency at University of Vermont, and Cardiology Fellowship at Oregon Health Sciences University. He joined the faculty at OHSU where he worked as a transplant cardiologist and did research in the molecular biology of cardiac development. He left OHSU to practice general cardiology at EvergreenHealth in Kirkland where he served as the medical director of cardiac services for ten years. He has a longstanding interest in the human health impacts of air pollution and climate change. He retired from Evergreen this January to devote his time completely to climate advocacy with PSR and serves on the boards of both the national organization and the Washington State chapter.
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Community Conversation - September 9, 2024 | |
"Ozempic Face": The Facts and Media's Spin on Anti-Obesity Medications
When: September 9, 2024 | 11am – 12:00pm (PT)
Where: Online via Zoom (Register Here)
Cost: FREE! Also available for 1.0 BCPA CE
This Community Conversation dives into the media frenzy surrounding anti-obesity medications like Ozempic. Our presenter, Dr. Samatha Pabich, will separate facts from misconceptions, clarifying what these drugs do, how they work, and addressing the sensationalist claims. Join us as we parse through the media's spin, uncovering the truth about these medications and their real impact on health.
Learning Objectives:
1) Define what these drugs are, possible side-effects and their safety record.
2) Why would we need to take these drugs forever and is that a good fact?
3) Where do we stand on generic versions of this drug?
4) What are the health benefits of these drugs?
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Sam Pabich (MD, MPH) is a Wisconsin-based endocrinologist, obesity medicine specialist, public health/clinical researcher, bike commuter and mother of two tiny dictators. She is devoted to promoting understanding of obesity as a chronic disease, and taking initiatives to prevent it and treat it.
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Other Events You May Be Interested In | |
Join Us at the Healthcare Advocate Summit This September!
Exciting news! HealthAdvocateX will be at the Healthcare Advocate Summit this September, and we can't wait to connect with you. Be sure to visit us at our booth to learn more about our latest community updates and membership offerings.
Spotlight on Our Members: Summit Speakers
We are thrilled to highlight our members who will be presenting at the upcoming summit. Their expertise and dedication to their fields will undoubtedly inspire and educate attendees. Here’s a glimpse of who will be speaking:
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Deidra Kindred,
Your Healthcare Nurse Advocates
Presentation Topic:
Health Literacy: How to Really Understand Your Medical Treatment Plan
Thursday, September 5th
3:00 pm - 3:50 pm
Health Literacy addresses one of the most pervasive and under-recognized problem in medicine: Low levels of health literacy (the ability to obtain, understand, and use health information). Changes in the complex healthcare system with documentation and family stratetgies will be discussed along with success stories regarding reduced rehospitalizations and patient involvement.
Session objectives:
- Gain an understanding of the difficulties associated with maintaining medical records and the advantages of adopting an organized approach.
- Increase understanding of strategies to effectively overcome the challenges of keeping all healthcare professionals up to date with pertinent information.
- Learn the benefits associated with utilizing a tool specifically designed to be accessible and manageable for the aging population.
- Explore the difficulties involved in locating reliable resources for fulfilling your healthcare needs.
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Malynnda Johnson, Compassionate Navigation
Presentation Topic:
Words DO Matter: Removing Stigma by Revising Words Within
Healthcare Settings
Friday, September 6th
8:30 am - 9:30 am
Countless studies have highlighted the impact words have in healthcare settings. The ways we talk about, and to, patients can have a devastating impact on various health outcomes. As a result conversations about racism, implicit bias, and stigma have become commonplace. But what can, and should, we be doing to fix this ongoing problem?
This roundtable discussion will directly discuss how words impact our patients but will also, and more importantly, offer concrete skills and tools to be implemented immediately. Participants will be given case studies to work with during the panel to practice the skills.
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Are you a Professional Member presenting, participating in a panel, or hosting/sponsoring an activity at the conference? We want to hear all about it! Share your details with us at info@HealthAdvocateX.org. We’ll reach out to learn more about how HealthAdvocateX can support and promote you. Plus, we'll feature your speech or event in our September e-newsletter, giving it the spotlight it deserves!
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Last year we launched a five-part educational series on Transgender Advocacy that is now available for viewing and is also approved for Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.)/Ethics continuing education for Board Certified Patient Advocates. The concept behind these centers is to provide credible, understandable and actionable information on a variety of topics through the lens of health advocacy. Our first topic: Transgender Advocacy 101.
A Special Thank You
A very special thank you to Dr. Malynnda Johnson and our esteemed panelists, Kim Mcilnay, Quin Buhs, Molly Crowther, and Nancy Keller, who provided profound insights on Transgender care.
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XCenter Completion Badge
Professional CE participants of the event had the opportunity to receive an exclusive badge, which can be displayed on your profile, website, or professional platforms, signifying your completion of the XCenter Transgender Advocacy 101 event.
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It's Not Too Late
Missed the event? Don't worry! You can now purchase the content of these modules and on-demand discussions. We believe in equal access for all; if purchasing causes financial hardship, non-CE tickets are available. Reach out to info@healthadvocatex.org for assistance.
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Join A Sacred Passing at the Une Bonne Mort Conference
Join our member, Bonnie Bizzell, on September 20, 2024, for Une Bonne Mort, a conference dedicated to those who care for the living, dying, and dead. Bonnie will be taking part in a compelling conversation about the necessity of advocating for medical and health advocacy. This day promises to be filled with thoughtful and important discussions aimed at expanding our approaches to care.
This is a hybrid event, available both in-person and virtually. Tickets are on sale now. Link to register here.
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Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) Statement | |
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OUR COMMITMENT
Approved by the Board September 21, 2022
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) Statement
Our mission is to help people transform into active participants and partners in their own health care. To make this possible, we must advocate for inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA) for all individuals.
We recognize that:
- Racism is a public health issue that impacts various intersections and communities differently.
- Each person is unique and therefore experiences health care differently.
- Every individual deserves health advocacy regardless of their race, ethnicity, language, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, spiritual practice, financial status, education, geography, disability, mental and physical status, age, weight, substance use disorder or other factors.
- Our organization is uniquely positioned to raise awareness on IDEA in health and health care.
We are committed to:
- Raising awareness about the importance of IDEA in health and health advocacy in all aspects of care.
- Expanding diverse representation within our organization, expert presenters, and educational offerings.
- Intentionally messaging our values, sharing IDEA expectations for ourselves, affiliated advocates, and partnering groups.
- Creating space for respectful dialogue about representation, equitable access, and inclusive practices in health care and health advocacy.
- Educating our community and participating in opportunities about IDEA events and exercises to keep these issues in the forefront of our work.
- Implementing systems to ensure IDEA is pervasive in our organization.
We will reflect on our accomplishments with humility and grace. We will recognize our limitations and remain open to what we may not see or realize so that we can improve and or repair any harm.
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HealthAdvocateX is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. We acknowledge that we are on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past and present, and honor with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish Tribe. We invite you to join us in acknowledging and thanking indigenous people for their ongoing stewardship wherever you are located.
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Land Acknowledgement Challenge
Will you help us? We invite YOU to research and submit the name of the people, your location and how you would word your own personal land acknowledgement. Our Board will be selecting and reading land acknowledgements from across the country at our Monthly Board Meetings. You can submit it here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/hadvx-land-acknowledgement
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Do you have something you would like to share with the HealthAdvocateX community?
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