Dear Colleague,

With our 2021 Conference only 11 days away, the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved is offering a host of online trainings as we prepare to "see" you virtually at #ACUConf. Learn about our free upcoming webinars on patient centricity, workplace inclusivity, and geriatric suicide prevention below, and don't forget to read about ACU's new initiative to help prepare National Health Service Corps members to work in underserved communities—which is now seeking advisors and mentors.
11 Days Until #ACUConf: Register for Our Virtual Conference on Nov. 1-2
Have you signed up yet for ACU's online 2021 Conference, "Mission: Health Equity?" It's not too late to register to join us virtually on Nov. 1-2 as we explore practical strategies to help eliminate health disparities in underserved minority and intersectional groups. #ACUConf will offer an outstanding program of more than 20 CME-accredited workshops, keynote addresses from public health leaders, and virtual networking opportunities—and you can now attend online from the convenience of your health center, primary care association, or community. Learn seven reasons to attend #ACUConf, browse our agenda, and register now.
P.S. Can't attend on Nov. 1-2? Register anyway for post-event access to on-demand recordings of the entire Conference for a limited time.
Register for Tomorrow's Webinar: Patient Centricity: Putting Patients at the Center of Healthcare Delivery & Decision-Making
Thursday, Oct. 21 at 12-1 p.m. ET
Join ACU and Pfizer for a webinar on patient-centered care this Thursday, Oct. 21. Respectful, compassionate care that puts patients first is crucial to improving outcomes and health equity, and building a patient-centered approach across the development continuum and healthcare system, including health centers, is vital. Register to join Dr. Kevin W. Williams, Pfizer's CMO of Internal Medicine, as he explores patient centricity, discusses its intersections with health equity and literacy, and shares patient centricity efforts from Pfizer and the pharmaceutical industry.
Join Us at Tomorrow's Webinar: Building Back Better: Utilizing Lessons Learned During COVID-19 for Inclusivity & Retention
Thursday, Oct. 21 at 2-3 p.m. ET
Join ACU's STAR² Center and experts from Ainey Volion Consulting tomorrow for the finale in our webinar series on workplace inclusivity for people with physical disabilities, people who are d/Deaf, blind, or visually impaired, and neurodiverse people. With most employees seeking new jobs this fall, workplaces must offer not only equitable compensation and flexible workspaces but also cultures guided by justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Drawing on lessons learned in the pandemic, this webinar will give you information and tools to build inclusive cultures of belonging for all, with a focus on people with disabilities and neurodiverse people.
New Webinar: Geriatric Suicide Prevention: Suicide Safer Care Principles for Primary Care Providers and Their Teams
Tuesday, Nov. 9, at 12-1 p.m. ET
Suicide in elderly populations is a major public health issue. Peopled aged 85 years or older have one of the highest suicide rates of any age group, and older adults who attempt suicide are more likely to complete these attempts than others. However, primary care providers and their teams which work with geriatric patients have vital opportunities to intervene. Learn best practices in prevention in our new webinar with experts from Concert Health and Adelphi University. This training will explore geriatric depression and suicide and detail effective Suicide Safer Care (SSC) strategies for prevention in older adults, from screening tools to evidence-based interventions. Register now or browse other SSC resources.
Related Resource: COVID-19: The Need for Increased Awareness Around Risk for Suicide
COVID-19 has impacted the social determinants of health, stressful life events, and mental health symptoms associated with suicide risk, and our publication addresses these effects and how our community can take action. Learn more and stay tuned for an upcoming webinar.
Become an Advisor or Mentor in Our New NHSC Pipeline Readiness Initiative
ACU is now recruiting National Health Service Corps (NHSC) members and alumni who are interested in advising or mentoring in our new NHSC Pipeline Readiness Technical Assistance Initiative with the Bureau of Health Workforce and Abt Associates. This initiative will help prepare NHSC pipeline participants to serve communities with longstanding health needs, supporting members of the NHSC Scholarship Program and Students to Service Loan Repayment Program by building their resiliency and capacity to address the root causes of health inequities. We are seeking NHSC members and alumni to serve on committees, participate in trainings and technical assistance, and mentor new NHSC pipeline participants. Learn more and sign up.
Welcoming Our Latest Organizational Members
ACU is proud to welcome the newest members of our community: Neighborhood Health in Fort Wayne, IN, Morris Heights Health Center in Bronx, NY, North East Medical Services in San Francisco, CA, and Open Door Community Health Centers in Arcata, CA. Are you or your organization committed to achieving health equity for the underserved? Learn about ACU membership, contact us, or join us today.
Major Funding Opportunity: Apply for $100 Million in State Loan Repayment Program Funds to Support the Healthcare Workforce in Underserved Communities
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced the availability of $100 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding for state-run programs that support, recruit, and retain primary care clinicians who live and work in underserved communities. Representing a five-fold increase in HRSA's State Loan Repayment Program, this funding initiative is now open to applications for grants in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories. Through ARP funding, these grants will not require state cost-sharing, and states can use up to 10% of the award for administrative costs. Applications are due April 8, 2022.
Publications & Resources
Webinars
From the Blog
Policy Updates
As always, ACU is here for you: please let us know if there is anything we can do to better support your work to improve care and advocate for underserved patients. Contact our Executive Director Amanda Pears Kelly with feedback, and thank you for everything you do.
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