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The Rural and Community Health Messenger is a quarterly newsletter produced by the F. Marie Hall Institute for Rural and Community Health at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.
Citation preview
Rural and Community Health
MessengerFall 2014 Vol.12/No. 4
Th
eBig Country AHEC Awarded AmeriCorps VISTA Grant
In this Issue:
• BigCountryAHECAwardedAmericorpsVISTAGrant
• ExecutiveVicePresident’sCorner
• Telemedicine/TexLaUpdate
• WTxHITRECProviderSpotlight
• WestTexasAHECCenterDirectorNamedVolunteeroftheYear
• RuralHealthResearch:TechnologyandtheGoodOldDays
• WestTexasAHECStaffReceive
Recognition
• Children’sAdvocacy:ChildAbuseinTexas
• AHECUpdate
• AHECCamperFollowsNursingDream
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A publication of the F. Marie Hall Institute for Rural and Community Health
TheBigCountryAHEC(BCAHEC)devel-opedaHealthyFuturesprogramtobere-sponsivetolocalhealthneedsbyprovidinganinnovative,collaborative,andmulti-disciplin-aryresponsetocom-munityhealthissues.Thisisdonethroughthedevelopmentoflo-callyspecificcommunityeducationtomeettheneedsofthediverseandseverelyunderservedpopulations.InthecaseofBCAHEC,thismeansafocusonaprimarilyruralpopulationtolinkregionalresourceswithlocalresources.TheprogramalignswiththeCorporationforNationalandCommu-nityServicefocusareaofHealthyFutures.
TheBCAHECwasawardedanAmeriCorpsVISTAgranttoplaceVISTAmembersintheselectedcountiestofocusoncapacity-build-ingeffortstocreateorexpandcommunitybasededucationalprogramsandmobilizead-ditionalregionalsupportthatmeettheneedsoftheunderserved,ethnicminority,and/oreconomicallydisadvantagedpopulations.BytheendoftheVistathree-yearproject,BCA-HECexpectstohaveaminimumofeightpro-gramsitesthroughoutitstwenty-eightcountyregionprojectbyperformingactivitiessuchascommunityassessments,promotingand
assistinglocalinitiatives,establishingvolun-teers,anddevelopingavolunteermanagementsystemforhealthyfutures.
Vistamembersinthefirst-yearprogram,Tati-anaNchotu,KimCedilloandCeraCantu,willcontributetotheoverallgoalsoftheprojectbyhelpingBCAHECdevelopanevidence-basededucationmodelforrural-urbanpartnershipinovercomingthebarriersofruralpoverty.
StateRepresentativeSusanKingmetwiththeVISTAmembersNovember13thanddis-cussedHealthcareissueswiththemastheypertaintoWestTexas.
T E X A S T E C H U N I V E R S I T Y H E A L T H S C I E N C E S C E N T E R
Above (L to R): Tatiana Nchotu, Rep. Susan King, Kim Cedillo, Cera Cantu
Executive Vice President’s Corner
Dr. Philips
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Technologyiseverywhere.Ithasperme-atednearlyeveryfacetoflife.Thisgenera-tionhas‘smart’phones,communicationisinstantincludingsendingphotosandvideos,andcomputersareanecessityofevery-dayliving.Consequently,peoplearelackingcertainclosenesswithotherpeople.Watchthenexttimeyouarenearlyanywhereandyouwillseepeoplestaringintotheirmobiledevicesbutnotintootherfaces.Whatworriesmeisthatsomeoftheincivilityofthecurrentageisbecausewearedisconnectedfromeachother.Iwonderifwedon’tneedanational‘put-your-mobile-devices-aside-and-talk-with-words-to-other-people-day’.Ihavegrownsocynicalthatifwehavesuchaday,someonewilllikelymakeanAppforitandruinthewholething!
Iamnotonaranthere.Really!IammerelyreflectingonthetechnologythemeforthisissueoftheMessenger.Pauseforaminuteandthinkofalltheuseful,won-derfulthingsthattechnologyhasdonetoimprovelife.Hereismypersonaltoptenlist–digitalmusic,togoalongwithmyexerciseeveryday;remotecontrolsformyTVwhenIamacouchpotato;splitscreenssoIcanwatchfourgamesatonce;creditcards(debitcardstoo),soIcanbuyallthegreatitemsinthislist;theinternet,formyloveofonlinebanking,buyingmovietickets,andorderingpizza;tex-ting,perhapsthesinglemostpowerfulaidinalltheworldforthosewhoareshyorjustcan’tdosmalltalk;thermalscanners,nomoreguessing,holdingitunderyourtongueorputtingitinotherwisehardtoreachplaces;GPSandtheweatherAP,Iconsiderthisasonenottwobecauseonetellsyouwhereyouareorwhereyouareheadingandtheothertellsyouthesameaboutstorms.Bytheway,GPSmaybethesecondmostpowerfulaidingtoolintheworld;wordprocessing,whichexcelstheskilloftypewriters;andMRIs,toal-lowquicklooksinsideforbrokenthings,cloggedthings,andthingsthatshouldn’t
bethere.
Therearemanywaysinwhichtechnol-ogyhashelpedruralhealth.Twoexcitingtechnologiesarethewidespreadimple-mentationanduseofelectronichealthrecords(EHRs),andtheotheristele-medicine.Bothofthesetechnologieswillleadtohigherqualitycare,betterpatientsafety,andimprovedaccess,especiallyinruralandfrontierareas.Wehaverecentlymergedtwodivisionstocapitalizeonstaffwithexpertiseinbothtechnologiesandtoachievesynergiesthatwillsupportnewmodelsofcarethatwillusemobiledevicestoproducebetterhealthoutcomesandengagepeoplemoredeliberatelyinhealthpromotionactivities.ThisnewdivisionisnamedInnovationsinHealthTechnolo-gies(InHIT).Thefutureofhealthcareisonatrajectorythatwillparallelthatoftechnologyandthisnewdivisionispoisedtobereadyforthechallengesandleadtheaccomplishmentsthatwecanonlydreamaboutnow.
IofteneatatarestaurantinLubbockthatservesanoldfashionplatedlunch.ItisacharmingplacewithlotsofmemorabiliaonthewallthathassignificancetothoseofuswholoveTexasTech,RedRaidersports,farming,andlifeonthehighgroundofTexas.Onthewallarewornsignsadvertisingeverythingfrombreadtogasolinecircathe1930s,Bibleverses,andphotosofpeoplewhoholdaspecialplaceinthecommunity;mostlystudentswhohavegoneontobecomeheroes,stars,astronauts,andtitansofindustryandcommerce.IthasanoldfashionlunchcounterthatsurvivedthebigtornadoofLubbockbackinthe1970s.Ialwayssitatthecounter,whichismostlypopulatedby“old-timers”.Iamstillalittleyoungtobeconsideredone,buttheytolerateme.Itisnotaplacefordigitaldevices,andwouldbeconsideredrudetouseonethere.
Theotherday,Iwasenjoyingaplatelunch
atthisplace.Theusualbanterwasgo-ingaroundwhenmycellphonerang.Allconversationatthecounterstopped,andpeoplewerequietasifinrespectformetalkingonthephone.Iquicklydisposedofthebusinessandendedthecall;youcan’treallysay“hungup”anymorebecausewedon’tdothatwithsmartphones,thatwaswhatwedidwithphonesofabygoneera.Thenthecrewsaidsomethingtomethatmademerealizetherearedefinitelyplaceswheretechnologywillneverbeappropriateandthatlunchcounterisoneofthem.Oneoldtimerwroteonapapernapkintomakethepoint.Thisiswhathewrote:YYUR,YYUB,ICURYY4ME!
Heaskedme,“Doc,canyouread?”Hethentookaknife,remindedmeofmyfirstgradeteacherwhotaughtmetoread,andpointedtotheletters.Heasked,”‘YY’whatdoyoureadthisas?”Isaid,“twoYs”.“Good!”hesaid.“Readthatoutloudtoallofus,”soIdid.WhatIdiscoveredwas“Toowiseyouare,toowiseyoube,Iseeyouaretoowiseforme!”Hesaid,“Mightbeagoodideaforyoutokeepthatinmindwhenyouareusingallthesenewgadgets!”Youknow,Ithinkhehasapointthere.Mightbeagoodlessonforusall.
-Billy U. Philips, Jr.
Technology and Innovation
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Withinthelastfewmonths,theTexLaTelehealthResourceCenter(TRC)hasplannedforfurtherexpansionwiththeap-pointmentofanewDirector,CarsonScott,andestablishingagreaterpresenceinLouisianathroughapartnershipwiththeLouisianaHealthCareQualityForum.Withtheseadditions,theTRCwillcontinuetostriveinallfacetsoftelehealthopera-tions,includingplanning,technicalassessment,training,imple-mentation,evaluationandexpansioninTexasandLouisiana.
AsdefinedbytheAmericanTelemedicineAssociation,“tele-medicineistheremotedeliveryofhealthcareservicesand
clinicalinformationusingtelecommunicationstechnology”.TheTexLaTRCassistsnewandexistingtelehealth/telemedi-cineprogramsthroughoutTexasandLouisiana,helpingthemtoprovidecost-effectiveservicesforallprovidersandhospitalsintheregion,inadditiontoruralandmedicallyunderservedareas.TheTexLaTRCworkswithhealthcareproviders,clinicsandinstitutionstoensureefficiency,sustainabilityandpatientsatisfaction.WithmostofLouisianaandTexasfacingaseverephysicianshortage,telehealthdeliversthedoctortothepatient,regardlessofthedistance.
Ifyouhavequestionsorareinneedoftechnicalassistanceandresourcesfornewandexistingtelehealthprogramsorwouldlikeinformationonupcomingevents,pleasecontacttheTexLaTRCat806-743-7496,[email protected].
TexLa Telehealth Resource Center – Moving Forward
Thepastfiveyearshaveseentele-medicinetechnologydevelopinsomanyusefulandpowerfulways.Notonlydoweseeimprovementsonexistingtelemedicineequip-mentlikecameras,handhelddevices,andeveninternetservice,butwehaveseennewtechnologylikecloud-basedvideoconfer-encingsystems,remotepatientmonitoringsystems,andevenaself-propellingrobotthatwillap-pearatyourbedsidearmedwithasmartpadtovideoconferencewithaprovider.
Suchingenuityiscertainlywel-comedandapplauded,butitreallyisallaboutthatbase—makingthevirtualcon-nectionbetweenpatientsandproviders.
HereatTTUHSCTelemedicinewereally
dowanttomakeaccesstohealthcaresimpleandtheuseoftechnologytodosoalittlelessdaunting.ByfarmostofourTTUHSCTelemedicinepatientencoun-
tersarebasicinteractionsinvolvingacamerawithencryptionandavideomonitor.Okay,andmaybeafaxmachine,theelectronicmedicalrecord,andafewotherthings,but…yougetthepicture.
Ithinkitisclearthattech-nologycanbeofgreatben-efitinaccesstohealthcareandTTUHSCTelemedicinecanhelpcuresometechno-phobia!
For more information on the Telemedicine pro-gram, please contact Laura Lappe, Associate Direc-tor of Telemedicine at [email protected] or 806-743-4440.
Telemedicine and Technology: For Us It’s All About That BaseBy: Laura Lappe, Associate Director of Telemedicine
Above: Telemedicine monitor
AngelM.Rios,MD,WestTexasHealthInformationTechnologyRegionalExtensionCenter(WTxHITREC)memberandprac-ticingObstetrics&GynecologyphysicianinElPaso,TX,hasbeenrecognizedforhismeaningfuluse(MU)achieve-mentofelectronichealthrecords(EHR).Withthisrecognition,Dr.Riosandhisstaffhaveearnedthedistinctionasleadersinhealthinformationtechnology.
Since1993,Dr.RioshasofferedqualitymedicalservicesthroughhisprivatepracticeinElPasoandtypicallyservespatientswithalower-incomelevelwithap-proximately80%ofhispatientsbeingMedicaidbeneficiaries.Ashecontinuestodedicatehistimetoservingpatients,healsounderstandsthevalueofadopt-inganEHRandthebarriersthatmaycomealongwiththeimplementationprocess.
AlthoughDr.RiosachievedMUin2014,itdidnotcomewithoutafewchallenges.He
talkedabouthowitwasalengthyprocesstofindthebestEHRsolutionforhispracticeandhowhehadtoworkwithmultipleEHRvendorstofindthebestfit.Hefocusedhissearchtofindaconcretesystemwithafew
keycomponents,includingastrongempha-sisoncustomerservice,onsitetrainings,andtheabilitytocustomizethesystemwithadditionaltemplates.
Additionally,Dr.Riosmentionedhow“attestingtoMUisnoteasyandtheWTx-HITREChelpedhimduringthecertificationprocesstounderstandtherequirements,gatherallthedocumentationneeded,andto
submittheinformationduringattestation.”Furthermore,asheworkedthroughachievingMU,thisalsoresultedintheuseofthepatientportal.Dr.Riosdiscussedhow“patientsarehappywiththeportalbecausetheinformationistranspar-entandtheycanaccessalltheinformationfromthere,liketheclinicalsummariesandthepatienteducation.”Asfornextsteps,Dr.Riosplanstocon-tinueeducatinghisstaffontheuseofEHRs.
For more information on EHR adoption, achieving MU, EHR incentive payments, and other services provided by the WTxHITREC, please call (806) 743-7960, email [email protected] or visit www.wtxhitrec.org.
Angel M. Rios, M.D. – WTxHITREC Provider SpotlightBy: Carson Scott, Director of Outreach, Marketing, Education and Communications for WTxHITREC
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ElisaWilliford,PermianBasinAHECcenterdirector,receivedtheFayeSmithSpirit2014VolunteerAwardforServicefromMedicalCenterHealthSysteminOdessa,TX.
WillifordhasbeenwiththePermianBasinAHECfor10yearsandhasacloseworkingrelationshipwithherstaffandcommunityorganizations.ShehasservedontheMedi-calCenterHospital’sFamilyHealthClinic(FHC)advisoryboardforsixyearsandhasplayedacrucialpartinthegrowthofthe
FHCandinthedevelopmentofthenewclinicinWestOdessa.
WillifordcurrentlyservesonseveralotherlocalboardsandcommitteeswhosepurposeistoraiseawarenessofthemissionofthePermianBasinAHECandtoenhancetheAHEC’sconnectiontothecommunitiestheyserve.CongratulationsElisa!
West Texas AHEC Center Director Named Volunteer of the Year
Above: Angel M. Rios, M.D.
Left: Susie Dominguez, Kathy Haddock, Jill Skaggs, Elisa Williford, and David Garcia, Director of the Family Health Clinic.
Angel M. Rios, M.D. – WTxHITREC Provider SpotlightBy: Carson Scott, Director of Outreach, Marketing, Education and Communications for WTxHITREC
ProjectFRONTIERwasrecentlyin-terviewingacandidateforaresearchtechnicianpositionwithmanyquestionsfocusedonthecandidate’stechnologicalsophistication.Thismademethinkofmyyoungerdaysasaresearcherandhowmuchhaschanged.WhenIfirststartednooneownedapersonalcomputerand,theonlycomputerwehadavailablewasattheUniversityComputingCenter,theonlyplaceoncampusopenChristmasDay.DatasuchaswecollectfromProj-ectFRONTIERparticipantswashandwritteninprotocolbooksthenconvertedtocomputerpunchcardssostatisticalcalculationscouldbeperformed.Com-puterprogramswerethenwrittenusingmorepunchcardstoreadandanalyzethedata.Thosecardswerethengiventoacomputeroperatorandputinaqueuesotheycouldbeprocessed.Iftherewerealotofcomputerjobsinfrontofyouitmighttakehourstogettheresults.Iftherewasaperiod,comma,orletteroutofplaceonthepunchcardthecomputerwouldkickouttheprogramanddata
sotheerrorcouldbefixedandthentheprocesswouldstartoveragain.Thewaittimewasalwaysanissueduringtheschoolyearwitheveryoneneedingaccesstothecomputer.Youmightactuallygotothecomputercenterinthemiddleofthenighttorunyourprogramasthewaitmightbeonlythirtyminutesinsteadofthreehours.Holidayswereevenquicker,butthoseofuswholivedintownalwaysendedupmeetingthere.Hencetherea-sonthebuildingwasopenonChristmas.Suchcomputerlimitationswerebutoneofthereasonswhyresearchwassuchaslowprocess.Discoveriesoftenseemedtocomeatasnail’spacewhichmeantthatourunderstandingofpeople,diseases,medicines,lifestyle,andwaystoimprovehealthwerenottheretohelpthoseinneed.Fortunately,thosetimeshavechanged.Advancesintechnologyenableustoquicklyandefficientlyanalyzedataandreachconclusions.TheInternetal-lowsdiscoveriestobesharedwithothersquicklysothateffortscanbeundertakentohelpothers.Additionally,feedback
canbeobtainedjustasquicklyaboutthesuccessofanydiscovery.AllprogramsintheFMHIRCHResearchDivisionbenefitimmenselyfromadvanc-esintechnology.ProjectFRONTIERparticipantdataisentereddirectlyintoouroveralldatasetwithoutextrastepsthatslowitsanalysis.Desktopstatisticalsoftwaretakesawaytheerrorsinprogramcreationfordataanalysisandcompletestasksinminutesthatusedtotakehourswhichinsteadshouldbeusedforsleep-ing.Electronicjournalsnowallowforrapidsharingofresults.TelemedicineservicesfortheResearchDivision’sTWITRProjectusetheInternettocon-nectstudentwithmentalhealthproblemsinschooltotheTTUHSCDepartmentofPsychiatry.Technologyhasbeenaboontoourwork.
So,asfarasthegoodolddays,let’sre-memberhowfarwe’vecome.
For more information on the Rural Health Research Group, visit www.ttuhsc.edu/ruralhealth/research-group.
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Technology and The Good Old DaysBy: Matthew E. Lambert, Ph.D., Director of Rural Health Research
West Texas AHEC Staff Receive RecognitionWestTexasAHECandtheF.MarieHallInstituteforRuralandCommunityHealthwouldliketocongratulatetwostaffmemberswhohaverecentlyreceivedhonorsandrec-ognitionintheirlocalcommunities.
ChrisFelton,associatedirectorforWestTexasAHEC,wasnamedaTop20Under40awardeebytheLubbockChamberofCommerceandtheYoungProfessionalsofGreaterLubbock.Thisawardismeanttorecognizeyoung
peoplewhoarerisingstarsbothintheirpro-fessionsandincommunityservice.
ErinGregg,ConchoVal-leyprogramcoordinatorforWestTexasAHEC,wasalsonameda201420Under40honoreebytheYoungProfessionalsofSanAngelo.
“IlovelivinginaplacewhereIcanbeinvolvedinthecommunity.”Greggsaid.
Greggisinvolvedwithanumberofcommu-nitycoalitionsinSanAngeloincludingTomGreenCountyCoalitionagainstViolence,ConchoValleyCARESCoalition,Texas
HungerInitiativeSteeringCommittee,YoungProfessionalsofSanAngelo,LeadershipSanAngeloAlumniAssociation,MealsfortheElderly,UnitedWayoftheConchoValley,JuniorLeagueofSanAngelo,DaughtersoftheRepublicandDaughtersoftheAmericanRevolution.
Greggwasalsoannouncedasa2015Ru-ralHealthFellowwiththeNationalRuralHealthAssociation.TheRuralHealthFellowsprogramisayearlong,intensiveprogramaimedatdevelopingleaderswhocanarticu-lateaclearandcompellingvisionforruralAmerica.
CongratulationstobothErinandChris!
Chris Felton
Erin Gregg
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Children’s Advocacy: Child Abuse in TexasBy: Debra Curti, Cole Johnson, and Melanie Teague, Office of Contracting, Reporting and Data Management
FamilyViolence(FV),alsoknownasDo-mesticViolence(DV),isdefinedbytheStateofTexasintheTexasFamilyCodeasanactbyafamilyorhouseholdmemberagainstanotherthatisintendedtoresultinphysicalharmorbodilyinjury,orthereasonablefearthereof.CasesofFVincludechildabuse,whichareactsoromissionsthatendangerorimpairachild’sphysical,mentaloremo-tionalhealthanddevelopment.Childabuseincludesphysicaloremotionalinjury,sexualabuseandexploitation,physicalandmedicalneglect,orthreatsthatputachildinfearofharm.
In2013,theTexasDepartmentofPublicSafetyreported185,453casesofFV.Ofthesecases,16.3%wererelatedtoparent/childrelationships.Additionally,duringfiscalyear2013,theTexasDepartmentofFamilyandProtectiveServicesconfirmed66,398victimsofchildabuseandneglect,withmorethan89%oftheperpetratorsidentifiedasfamilymembersofthesevictims.Childabuseandneglectaffectschildrennowandlaterandcanleadtophysical,psychological,andbehav-ioralconsequences.
Physicalabusecanresultinimmediateef-fectsthatincludebruises,lacerations,brokenbones,andlong-termeffectsthatincludebraindamageandpermanentdisabilities.Studieshaveshownthatabuseexperiencedduringearlychildhood,suchasthatcausedbyshakingababy,mayresultinblindnessorbraininjury,whichmaythenresultinfatality,longtermcognitiveeffects,impairedbraindevelopment,mentalhealthissues,andsleepproblems.Additionally,studieshaveshownthatabusedchildrenareatanincreasedriskofcertainchronicdiseasestoinclude,heartdisease,cancer,obesity,andhighbloodpres-sureamongstotherthings.
Psychologicalfactorsassociatedwithchildabusecanincludelowself-esteem,isolation,fear,depression,andrelationshipdifficulties.Along-termstudyshowedthat80%ofchil-drenthathadbeenabusedmetthediagnosticcriteriaforsomesortofpsychiatricdisorderbytheageof21.Thesechildrenexhibitedsymptomsofdepression,anxiety,eatingdisorders,andsuicideattempts.Additionally,victimsofabusearemorepronetoPostTrau-
maticStressDisorder,ConductDisorder,andlearningproblems.
Inregardstobehavioralconsequences,studieshaveshownthatabusedchildrenhaveanincreasedriskofsmoking,alco-holism,heightenedsexualbehavior,drugabuse,pregnancy,arrest,andlowacademicachievement.Otherstudieshaveshownthatcriminalbehaviorwillincreaseby28%andviolentcrimeby30%inanabusedchild.Additionally,itisestimatedthatone-thirdofabusedchildrenwillabusetheirownchil-dren.AccordingtotheTexasCommissiononChildrenandYouth,abusedchildrenhaveahigherrateofsuicide,are24timesmorelikelytocommitsexualassault,and74timesmorelikelytocommitacrimeagainstanotherperson.
Despitethenegativeconsequencesdiscussedabove,studieshaveshown“protectivefac-tors,”suchastheavailabilityofsupportfromparents,relatives,professionals,andoth-ersappeartomediateorserveasa“buffer”againstthenegativeeffectsofchildabuse.OneavailableresourceinTexasincludestheChildren’sAdvocacyCentersofTexas(CACs),whichwereformedtoaidchildabusevictimsbyusingamulti-disciplinaryapproachbyprovidingforensicservices,therapy,legalassistance,education,andotherservicesforthevictimsandtheirfamilies.However,thereisatremendousunmetneedfortheprovisionofmentalhealthservicesasthereisalackofchildpsychiatristsavailabletoprovidetheseservicestochildvictims.ThisisespeciallyprevalentinWestTexasastheissueisfurthercompoundedbythefactthattheregionincludessuchalargegeo-graphicareawithlittleaccesstopsychiatrists.
InordertohelpcoordinateservicesprovidedbytheCACsandenhanceaccesstomentalhealthservicesforabusedchildren,theF.MarieHallInstituteforRuralandCommuni-tyHealth(Institute)atTexasTechUniversityHealthSciencesCenter(TTUHSC)isintheprocessofcollaboratingwiththeTexasCrim-inalJusticeDivisionattheStateGovernor’sOfficetodevelopapilotprogramthatwillutilizeTelemedicinetechnologytoaddresstheseneeds.ThepilotprogramwillfocusonprovidingtrainingtofiveCACslocatedin
ruralareasofWestTexasregardingtheuseofTelemedicinetoprovidementalhealthservicestochildabusevictimsbeingservedbytheCACs.ThiswillallowtheCACstoreferchildvictimstoTTUHSCforahigherlevelofmentalhealthcareviaTelemedicine,whichwillultimatelybridgethedisparityanddistancetoensurementalhealthservicestothosealreadyvulnerablechildvictims.TheInstitutehasexperiencedsuccessinasimi-larmodelinwhichTelemedicineservicesarebeingprovidedthroughtheTelemedi-cineWellnessInterventionTriage&Refer-ralProject,whichleveragesTelemedicineservicesprovidedbyachildpsychiatristintheTTUHSCDepartmentofPsychiatryandlicensedprofessionalcounselorstoassess,diagnose,andtreatchildrenandadolescentsinregionalschooldistrictswhoaresufferingfrommentalhealthproblems.TheInstituteisconfidentthatthroughthispilotprogramitwillbeabletosuccessfullyutilizeTelemedi-cinetoenhanceTexas’currenttechnologicalcapacitytoreduceoreliminatebarrierstotimely,efficient,andeffectiveservicesforthesechildvictims.
AccordingtotheTexasDepartmentofStateHealthServices,15FamilyViolenceCentersandOrganizationsinTexasarelocatedintheWestTexas108-countyserviceregionoftheTTUHSC.ThereareseveralChildren’sAdvocacyCenters(CACs)inWestTexaswhoservechildrenofabuseandsexualassault.AccordingtoCAC,servicesareprovidedtoanaverageof96%ofthevictimsservicedthroughthecenters.TosearchforaTexasCACinyourarea,gotohttp://www.cactx.org/. |
Intheeverchangingworldofgeneratinginterestinhealthcareersandkeepingstudentsabreastoftheoptions,oneofthestaplesinTexashasbeentheTexasH.O.T.Jobsmateri-als.TheTexasH.O.T.Jobsbookwasfirstpublishedbackin1997andwewillwelcomethe6theditionofthebooksoon.In2008,theTexasH.O.T.JobsplatformwasexpandedtoincludeawebsitecomponentfundedbyagrantfromtheTexasHigherEducationBoard.Thewebsiteprovidesavaluableresourceforstudentsandcurrentlyreceivesover500,000hitspermonth.Studentscanexplorecareerinterestinventories,explorationmodulesandcanviewwhatprofessionshavetosayabouttheircareer.Thewebsite’sreachextendsbeyondjuststudentsastherearesectionsforbotheducatorsandparentstoengagein.Thesesectionsoffermaterialstotheseimportantpopulationstohelpsteerstudentsintoahealthprofession.Thewebsiteprovidesthemostup-to-dateinforma-tiontocareerseekers,butastechnologyevolvesitbecomesnecessaryforthewebsitetoevolveandbeupdated.InthecomingmonthstheAHECstaff,inpartnershipwithotherprofessionalsattheTexasTechUniversityHealthSciencesCenter,willbegantheprocessoflookingatwhatchangestomake.IfyouwouldliketoofferasuggestionorparticipateinhelpingshapethefutureofthistoolpleasecontactChrisFeltonatc.felton@ttuhsc.edu.
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For Upcoming Activites, Visit your Regional AHEC’s Website
Big Country AHEC
Desert Mountain AHEC
Panhandle AHEC
Permian Basin AHEC
AHECofthePlains2417Yonkers;P.O.Box1116Plainview,TX79072806.291.0101www.ahecplains.org
DesertMountainAHEC440ReynoldsElPaso,TX79905915.783.6211www.desertmountainahec.org
BigCountryAHEC3702Loop322Abilene,TX79602325.972.0495www.bigcountryahec.org
PanhandleAHECWTAMUBox61003Canyon,TX79016806.651.3480www.panhandleahec.org
PermianBasinAHEC3600N.GarfieldTechnologyCenter,RM140Midland,TX79705432.685.4794www.permianbasinahec.org
AHEC of the Plains
LikeusonFacebook!https://www.facebook.com/WestTexasAHEC/
Texas H.O.T. JobsBy: Chris Felton, Associate Director, West Texas AHEC
CheckoutourH.O.T.JobswebsiteforhealthcareopportunitiesinTexas:http://www.texashotjobs.org
Visitourwebsitetostayup-to-dateonAHECeventsat:www.westtexasahec.org|
“MynameisKaseySmith.Iam17yearsold,andasenioratNewBraunfelshighschool.AsakidIalreadyknewwhatIwantedtodowithmylife,Iwantedtoworkinhealthcare.Mymom,beinganurseherself,heavilyinfluencedmetogointothenursingfield.Sincethen,I’veworkedtowardthisgoalofbecominganurse.Today,IamthepresidentoftheHealthOccupationsStudentsofAmerica,aclubatmyhighschool.Then,thispastJulyIreceivedmynursingassistantcertification,andamcurrentlyemployedatEdenHillnurs-inghome.IfoundoutaboutAngeloStateUniversitybecausemysisterteachesthere.Shewastheonewhotoldmetheyhadanursingprogram.So,Iinvestigatedonmyown.IfoundthattheyhadtheirownsimulationlabandahighpercentageofstudentspassingtheNCLEX-RNEXAM.Later,
Iwasgiventheopportunitytoactu-allyvisitthenursingsimulationlab.Iwasjustamazedwiththetechnologyandhowlife-likethemannequinswere.That’swhyIchoseAngelo,abeautifulcampusandagreatplacetostartmynursingcareer.IjustgotmyacceptanceletterfromASU.Every-thingI’vedonetoworktowardsthisgoalhaspayedoff.IamsoexcitedtostartcollegeinthefallandbeaRam!”
AHEC Camper Follows Nursing Dream
Above: Kasey Smith, ASU Freshman
3601 4th Street STOP 6232 Lubbock, TX 79430-6232
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
HEALTHBeat
Easy Baked Apple Pie ApplesIngredients:• 6GrannySmithApples• 1/2Teaspoonsgroundcinnamon• 1/4Teaspoonrumextract• 1/4cupgranulatedsugar• 1Tablespoonlightbrownsugar,
packed• 1packagerefrigeratedpiecrust• 1/4cuppecans,chopped• 2Tablespoonsunsaltedbutter,melted• cinnamon-sugar,sprinkledontopof
piecrust
Preparation:• Preheatovento375oF.• Slicethetopsofffourapples.Usinga
largespoonormelonballer,carefullyremoveinnerpartofeachapple.Peeltheskinsfromremainingtwoapplesandslicetheapplesthinlytouseinapplepiefilling.
• Inalargebowl,mixslicedappleswithgranulatedsugar,brownsugar,groundcinnamon,pecans,andrumextracttomaketheapplepiefilling.Fillhol-lowedappleswithpreparedapplepiefilling.
• Usingapizzacutter,slicepiecrustintoevenstrips(about1/4”)andlayinlatticefashionacrossthetopofeachapple.Trimexcesspiecrustaroundtheedgeswithaknife.Brushmeltedbutterontopofpiecrustsandsprin-klepiecrustswithcinnamon-sugar.
• Placeapplesinahighwalledbakingdish.Addabout1/4cupofwatertobottomofdishtojustcoverthebot-tomsoftheapples.Coverwithfoilandbakefor20-25minutes.Removefoilandreturntoovenforanadditional20minutes.Applesaredonewhencrustisgoldenbrownalongedgesandapplesaresofttoslice.
• Servewarmwithvanillaicecreamandenjoy!
Recipe from Delicioulsy Sprinkledhttp://deliciouslysprinkled.com/easy-baked-apple-pie-apples/
F. Marie Hall Institute forRural and Community Health
H 101197 131029 30