|
Dear HealthAdvocateX Community,
| | |
Do you have language and tools to talk about and manage your OWN mental health? Over the course of my life I have bumped up against ‘mental health,’ of my own, my family members, colleagues, staff and friends. Sometimes I feel like the umbrella phrase of ‘mental health,’ seems so general, it really doesn’t describe all the myriad ways our mind and the health of our mind is misunderstood, under-funded in terms of research and continues to be a forbidden topic.
I admit I also have not understood how societal, generational and situational events have impacted my own family members. Over the years, I have pushed my own thoughts aside in times of troubles for a lot of reasons: embarrassment and shame; misunderstanding and avoidance of curiosity about what was happening to me mentally; a feeling that I should just be able to ‘push through.’
Several events have made me stop and try to understand this topic better and develop a better appreciation for how embedded our mental and physical health is to every human’s functioning.
From a health advocacy perspective, it is VITAL that whether you are the patient, or the advocate, we have examples of how to talk about our mind – health because it is interconnected to body- health and without a good understanding of both, it is difficult to navigate the best care.
So, during this month of May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month, I encourage you to take a few steps to understand what your own perceptions and barriers you have about mental health.
Here are some resources you might find helpful:
Spring is a time of renewal – take the time to plan how you would like the rest of 2025 to go! Writing, making a plan, always feels so good!
Here’s wishing you good health!
Robin Shapiro and the Team at HealthAdvocateX
| | Board Member Applications Deadline Extended until May 10! | | |
Ever wonder how you could use your experience, talent and passion for helping patients, families and advocates experience in navigating care better? Our volunteer Board of Directors steers the strategic direction of HealthAdvocateX, helps plan our virtual events and leverage our collective connections to help improve education and access for people who want to improve their navigation of the healthcare system.
In 2022, ten years after our founding, we began to start our succession planning as long-time board members serving on HealthAdvocateX (formerly the Washington State Health Advocacy Association) have been rotating off their planned terms.
We have up to three open Board Positions that we will be recruiting for to start in June 2025.
We seek a diverse Board Member candidates:
- We are looking for the following backgrounds/experience: Marketing, Technology, Legal, Finance, Sales, Development, Member Experience
- Geographic priority for West and East coast candidates
-
Our hope is that through recruitment of additional Board Members, we will continue to advance our commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access values
IMPORTANT DATES/INFORMATION
Board Expectations and More Information Can Be Found Here.
| |
May 12 – Community Conversation: Alzheimer’s Care: Empowering Families with Practical Tips
REGISTER HERE
When: May 12, 2025 | 11am-12pm (PT)
Where: Online via Zoom (Register Here)
Cost: $10 for HealthAdvocateX Members; $30 for Non-Members earning credit. Free for the general public.
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s at home presents unique challenges, requiring patience, adaptability, and informed strategies. This session will provide advocates with practical tips to enhance daily care and navigate the emotional complexities of Alzheimer’s caregiving. Attendees will gain actionable insights to foster a safer, more supportive environment for their loved ones while also prioritizing their own well-being
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the importance of creating a supportive home environment and recognize how individuals living with dementia navigate and interact with their surroundings.
- Explain the role of compassionate, nonverbal communication in promoting comfort, trust, and understanding when caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s.
- Identify strategies for managing the emotional challenges of caregiving and maintaining personal well-being through practical self-care practices and use of community resources.
About The Speaker:
Jaime Cobb Tinsley, Certified Alzheimer’s Educator and Montessori Dementia Care Professional, serves as the Vice President of Dementia and Caregiver Education at the James L. West Center for Dementia Care. With a degree in Integrated Marketing Communication from Abilene Christian University and over 17 years of experience working with individuals living with dementia and their families, Jaime is a dedicated advocate for enhancing quality of life and promoting caregiver empowerment.
At the West Center, Jaime has spearheaded the development and implementation of groundbreaking programs designed to improve outcomes for families navigating dementia. Her innovative approaches blend compassion with evidence-based practices, providing support and education that truly make a difference. Jaime also champions collaborative training models to prepare current and future healthcare professionals for excellence in dementia care.
A recognized leader in her field, Jaime is a Certified Independent Positive Approach to Care™ Trainer, a Master Trainer for Dementia Live®, and the Stress-Busting Program for Family Caregivers™.
| | |
May 29th - Case Review: Caring for the Long Term Care Patient under Workers Compensation – It takes a Village
REGISTER HERE
When: May 29, 2025 | 4 - 5:30 pm (PT)
Where: Online via Zoom (Register Here)
Cost: FREE for HealthAdvocateX Members to Attend. Add 1.0 BCPA CE Credit for $15 for Members and $40 for Non-Members.
The panel will share their experiences, challenges and wins in working as a team to care for a person with long term medical needs. The client was in a near fatal car accident in 1985. She is covered under Workers Compensation for her medical care and is being cared for in a group home in Miami Fl. The family is very involved, as is the treatment team led by the Nurse Practitioner. The panel will share the challenges and the joys of working to ensure the client’s ongoing health, wellbeing, transfers from one facility to another and keeping treatment teams involved and cohesive.
Learning Objectives:
- You will understand pivotal events in the clients 40-year journey and how they culminated in a now stable but always fragile life.
- You will recognize communication pitfalls and the importance of good, cohesive communication among the care team
- Identify the ways health care advocates have been instrumental in maintaining the clients care and wellbeing
About The Speakers:
Anne Llewellyn, MS, BHSA, RN, CRRN, CMGT-BC, BCPA, FCM is a registered nurse with over forty-six years of experience in critical care, risk management, case management, patient advocacy, healthcare publications and training and development. Anne is a leader in case management and Patient Advocacy. She has an independent case management/patient advocacy to help people navigate the complex healthcare system. Anne wokes with the patient and their families as well as the healthcare team to streamline communication, coordinates care and ensure safe transitions of career
Sheryl Raikes, APRN-C is an Adult Nurse Practitioner, board certified with the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners for 16 years. Prior to becoming an Adult Nurse Practitioner, Sheryl worked as a Registered Nurse in the ICU for 10 years at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, FL. She began her Nurse Practitioner career at a busy Primary Care office. She became the Primary care Provider of Geriatric patients in skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities and in the home and that is where she found her passion and purpose. A few years later she decided to go back to the office setting and worked in Endocrinology. While Sheryl is thankful for the experience she obtained in working with complex Endocrine conditions, she missed caring for her Geriatric patients and their Families. In 2020, Sheryl established a Mobile Practice called Priority Healthcare Services where she is the Primary Care Provider of Geriatrics patients that are homebound and in assisted living facilities. Priority Healthcare Services helps to bridge the gaps in care and prevents unnecessary hospitalization of the Geriatric population in South Florida.
Jeffrey J. Sherman, Ph.D. is a Rehabilitation Psychologist and Clinical Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington Medical Center. At work, Dr. Sherman provides consultation, assessment and treatment services at Harborview Medical Center, the only Level 1 adult and pediatric trauma center for the NW five state region. He helps inpatients and outpatients as they adjust to severe trauma like spinal cord injury, brain injury, burns and amputations. He also trains psychology residents and fellows to work in this specialty area. Jeff is the clients brother, guardian and fellow traveler on this long journey.
| | IN CASE YOU MISSED IT – FABULOUS CONTENT STILL AVAILABLE THROUGH OUR ON-DEMAND/ CLASSROOM | |
Navigating the Autism Journey: from Diagnosis to Growth and Beyond
ACCESS HERE
This Community Conversation provides families, educators, and professionals with a guide to understanding and supporting individuals with autism from the moment of diagnosis through the various stages of life. Attendees will learn practical strategies to help navigate the challenges and celebrate the milestones of the autism journey, focusing on early intervention, effective therapies, and fostering personal growth. By the end of this session, participants will be equipped with tools to foster long-term success and well-being for individuals on the autism spectrum.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the Autism Diagnosis Process: Gain insight into the steps and considerations involved in diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including the role of early identification and its impact on future outcomes.
- Explore Effective Strategies for Early Intervention and Support: Learn about evidence-based therapies, educational practices, and family-centered approaches that promote growth and skill development in children with autism.
- Prepare for Transitions and Long-Term Success: Discover key strategies to support individuals with autism through various life stages, including adolescence, adulthood, and independence, ensuring their continued growth and integration into society.
| | |
Trauma-Informed XCENTER is Now Available On-Demand
REGISTER HERE
XCenter Series November 2024
Trauma-Informed Care XCenter 5-Session Bundle
When: Nov 13, 2024 - Nov 12, 2026 | 4pm-5:30pm (PT)
Where: On-Demand
Cost: FREE! Also available for 5.0 BCPA CE
Join us for a deep dive into trauma-informed practices and strategies to enhance your care skills. Learn from experts in the field and connect with like-minded individuals in this virtual gathering. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, therapist, educator, or simply interested in the topic, this event is perfect for anyone looking to expand their knowledge.
BCPA Type of CE Applying For:
5.0 Ethics/J.E.D.I. BCPA CE
This XCenter is FREE to attend for the general public. It is also available for 5.0 BCPA CE for $125 (HealthAdvocateX members) and $200 (non-members).
| | HEALTH ADVOCACY IN THE NEWS! | | |
HealthAdvocateX Member Heidi B. Kummer, MD, MPH, BCPA
In the American Journal of Law & Medicine, PACB President Dr. Heidi Kummer traced the evolution of patient advocacy from its early legal foundations to its current expression as a distinct profession. The article highlights milestones such as the establishment of the first patient advocacy organizations, hospital patient advocacy offices, the emergence of independent advocates, and the importance of certification in setting ethical and educational standards. The piece also explores future directions, including workforce development and system-level integration.
Read the article HERE.
| | Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) Statement | | |
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.
| | |
HealthAdvocateX is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. We acknowledge that we are on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish, Suquamish, Stillaguamish, and Muckleshoot People past and present, and honor with gratitude the land itself and each tribe. We invite you to join us in acknowledging and thanking indigenous people for their ongoing stewardship wherever you are located.
| | |
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
| |
Do you have something you would like to share with the HealthAdvocateX community?
| | | | |
