Omaha AHEC Newsletter
Oct.-Dec. 2021 | Autumn | Issue 008
IN THE SPOTLIGHT:
Eh Mo Khaing

School: University of Nebraska at Omaha
Level: Junior
Major: Molecular & Biomedical Biology
Minors: Chemistry & Medical Humanities
Spotlight: Urban Health Opportunities Program (UHOP) scholar
Eh Mo grew up as a spiritual Buddhist, and she has always felt a passion for serving others. She was accepted into the Urban Health Opportunities Program (UHOP) as an incoming freshman. The purpose of the UHOP program is to diversify the urban Nebraska healthcare workforce by identifying and preparing qualified students from underrepresented groups to enter and succeed in health professions training.

Where does your interest in the medical field stem from?
"I think my interest in healthcare started when I was constantly exposed to the healthcare setting as the sole interpreter for my mom during her pregnancy and my baby brother, Ryan's journey of health problems. I thought the hospital ambiance of doctors and nurses constantly checking on Ryan was so interesting."

What do you like about UHOP?
"My favorite part of the first year of UHOP was our weekly meetings with health professionals from all varying fields of healthcare. We learned of the community-based clinics, the goal of an interdisciplinary team in health professions, and built skills to succeed in medical school. I also created connections with some health professionals I never talked to as a hesitant student. I especially value that UHOP allowed me to develop strong bonds with classmates of similar interests."

Tell me about your future goals:
"I aspire to be a physician because it would allows me to help others directly. In particular, I have found great interest in the impact on my community that would result from working in family medicine. I especially want to serve marginalized communities: Nearly 200,000 refugees have resettled in Omaha, NE. since 200, and I aim to directly connect with and make a positive impact on these communities."
Our 2021/2022 Omaha AHEC Scholars!
2021-2022 Nebraska AHEC Scholars Have Been Selected
Our newest cohort of AHEC Scholars have been selected. More than 75 health professions students applied for the program, and 15 were selected to become Omaha AHEC Scholars. Stay tuned to meet our Scholars in future editions of the Omaha AHEC Newsletter!

AHEC Scholars gain real-world connections and additional training to elevate their success in the rural and underserved workforce in Nebraska!

You may apply to be part of this nationwide network of Scholars in future years upon your acceptance into a health professions training program.
Continuing Education Workshop
Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence: Foundations, Advanced Understandings, and Interventions
On August 27th, 2021, the Omaha AHEC and Central Nebraska AHEC co-partnered for a virtual Continuing Education Workshop titled Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence: Foundations, Advanced Understandings, and Interventions.

This workshop was presented by Ms. Alex Pecoraro M.A., M.S., UNO and UNMC Gender and Sexuality Resource Center, Nebraska Sate Certified Survivor and Victim Advocate, Arkansas State Certified Survivor and Victim Advocate.

The Omaha AHEC will be participating in and co-sponsoring more Continuing Education workshops like this. For upcoming events, please visit our website.
The workshop's topics included:

  • Definitions and differentiations between intimate partner violence (IPV) and domestic violence (DV)

  • Discussions of systems of power and control including common tactics used in interpersonal relationships to obtain and maintain power over another individual

  • Explanations of the basics of trauma informed response, including how to help navigate legal and judicial processes for DV victims and survivors

  • Descriptions of trauma and the impact on brain and body function in association with IPV and DV

  • Listing statistics associated with IPV and DV

  • Identifying potential warning signs of domestic violence and intimate partner violence, including strategies to intervene and minimize trauma

  • Recognizing barriers to seeking support and/or leaving abusive situations and how varying identities impact access
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Covid-19 Vaccine Updates
Current Covid-19 Updates & Changes:
8.18.2021- The Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) explains that they "have developed a plan to begin offering booster shots this fall subject to FDA conducting an independent evaluation and determination of the safety and effectiveness of a third dose of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines and CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) issuing booster dose recommendations based on a thorough review of the evidence." Source: FDA

8.23.2021- FDA approved COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA, which was previously known as Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older. Source: FDA

9.20.2021- Pfizer said its Covid-19 vaccine is "safe and effective in kids ages 5-11." Source: CBS News
Current Covid-19 Vaccine Statistics:

U.S. 1st dose administered: 3,560,010,077 (45.4%)
U.S. 2nd dose: 2,641,261,683 (33.7%)
Total U.S. population: 7, 845, 261,000

Nebraska 1st dose: 1,148,345 (59%)
Nebraska 2nd dose: 978,659 (50.6%)
Total Nebraska population: 1,934,408
Upcoming Event
If you have questions about Covid-19 prevention and vaccines, this event is for you! This is a free, family friendly event with food, music, and activities, co-hosted by Nebraska Medicine and the North Omaha Community Care Council.

  • Live Q&A with the Mocha Docs (below) at 1pm and 3pm
  • Nebraska Appleseed on hand for voter registration
  • Charles Drew Center navigators on-site to assist with Medicaid expansion
  •  Event hosted by Omaha Economic Development Corporation (OEDC), activities will be held in the parking lot

Meet the Mocha Docs:

  • Dr. Shirley Delair- Pediatric Infectious Disease Physician- Children’s Hospital & Medical Center
  • Dr. Andrea Jones- Family Physician at Fontenelle Health Center and Girls Inc. Health Center
  • Dr. Jasmine Marcelin- Infectious Disease Physician with Nebraska Medicine 
  • Dr. Sharon Stoolman- Pediatrician at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center
  • Dr. Lucille Woodard- Family Medicine Physician with the Department of Veterans Affairs