Omaha AHEC Newsletter

Volume 14 | Jul.- Sept. 2023

Omaha AHEC Quarterly Newsletter

In this newsletter

In the Spotlight: AHEC Scholar, Kate Gusse
Recap: Pre-Health Symposium 2023
Recap: Intimate Partner Violence Panel Overview
August: National Immunization Awareness Month
September: Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Apply for the AHEC Scholars Program by Sept. 20!

In the Spotlight: AHEC Scholar

Kate Gusse, Radiologic Technologist

Nebraska AHEC Scholars is an interprofessional, extra curricular program for health professions students focused on serving rural and underserved communities of Nebraska. This year, 8 AHEC Scholars assigned to the Omaha region finished the two-year program. We interviewed one of them to share a bit about her time in the program.

Kate Gusse graduated in May 2023 from UNMC's Radiography program and was honored on the Dean's List in the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 semesters.

Thinking back to Fall 2021, when you applied for the Scholars Program, what motivated you to join the AHEC Scholars Program?

I had always been drawn to healthcare environments driven to serve in rural and underserved communities. After learning about AHEC's mission from my Radiography program at UNMC in Omaha, it seemed like the perfect program to be a part of! The program offered presentations, workshops, and healthcare materials to scholars, so they could learn more about the resources available to communities in the area. I thought it was a great opportunity to gain more knowledge about how I could better assist in my Omaha community and become a better healthcare professional.

Tell us a little bit about your time in the AHEC Scholars Program.

One activity that I really enjoyed participating in while in AHEC was the 2023 AHEC Scholars Statewide Workshop. This workshop focused on a case study that described a patient's situation within a community. It was provided to the scholars prior to the workshop as well as a designated community that they had to base their responses on. The scholars had to research resources such as transportation, grocery delivery, etc. that would assist the patient with whatever needs they had as well as brainstorm what barriers might exist. I enjoyed this activity because it gave me the opportunity to look for specific resources that I didn't know where available in the area I was assigned. It was also beneficial to collaborate with the other scholars because even though we had different areas assigned to each of us, we were able to generate ideas that someone might not have thought off. This was a great example of why interprofessional relationships can be vital to the success of a patient's treatment plans.

What is the next step for you in your career?

I am currently working at Nebraska Medicine in the radiology department as a radiologic technologist. I will soon go on to obtain my masters in teaching or healthcare delivery science.

Would you encourage other health professions students to join the AHEC Scholars Program?

I would strongly encourage other health professions to be a part of the AHEC Scholars Program. It provides a unique opportunity to learn about resources that are available to in the scholars' specific communities while expanding their interprofessional relationships by engaging with fellow scholars, AHEC staff, and the speakers brought in to present.

Are you interested in becoming an AHEC Scholar? Applications are open now. Click the button below to submit your application today!

Apply Here!

Omaha AHEC Health Careers RECAP:

UNO Pre-Health Symposium 2023

On March 29, 2023, Omaha AHEC partnered with the UNO Health Careers Resource Center (HCRC) to re-launch the UNO Pre-Health Symposium.

The event was hosted at the Milo Bail Student Center with over 700 high-school and college students in attendance.

"I wanted to be able to connect more students with healthcare and help them understand how diverse careers in STEM are."

- Michael Gutierrez-Madrigal

The Pre-Health Symposium was held for the first time since fall 2019 when the event was put on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event brings together high school and college students alongside professionals, professional programs, and community partners to encourage exploration of healthcare careers and pathways for success in pre-health and health professions training programs.

"We hoped to connect current and prospective UNO students with current healthcare and STEM professionals; research, academic, career, internship, and patient contact opportunities; and to help students from all walks of life learn about the various ways they can make a difference through a career in healthcare," said one of the event's organizers, HCRC Pre-Health Advisor Michael Gutierrez-Madrigal.

One of the main features of the Pre-Health Symposium is the fair at the center of the event. Numerous representatives from academic programs, professional schools, employers, community organizations, and student groups came out to the event to share valuable insight with students on the many resources and careers available to them.

Students also attended presentations with admissions representatives, conversations with current students, and a "Day in the Life" panel hosted by healthcare professionals to provide perspective on the Pre-health and healthcare experience.

"We intentionally wanted to plan an event that was engaging, hands on, and focused on connecting students with professionals. This meant adding student panels, meet and greets, Q&A’s, and interactive videos that encouraged students to step out of their comfort zone and learn something new," Gutierrez-Madrigal explained.

The event was a wild success for UNO and Omaha AHEC! The Pre-Health Symposium will return this Spring 2024 with more panels and interactive experiences for students to explore as they start on the road to healthcare.

Stay tuned here on our newsletter for more information, and follow @omaha.ahec on Facebook and Instagram to stay up-to-date with the latest updates.

Omaha AHEC Continuing Education RECAP: Intimate Partner Violence

This July 21, Omaha AHEC partnered with the Grace Abbott Training and Supervision Academy (GATSA) to host a live webinar titled "Intimate Partner Violence: Navigating Services and Systems." The webinar was attended by 70 social service providers to help advocates such as social workers, mental health professionals, and case managers on the best practices for assisting those affected by sexual assault or intimate partner violence. Featured on the event's expert panel was Victim and Survivor Advocate Alex Pecoraro of UNO's Gender and Sexuality Resource Center, Forensic Nursing Supervisor Kalen Knight from Nebraska Medicine, Sgt. Shane Myers with the Omaha Police Department, and Attorney Dayna Goff from the Children and Families Resource Center at UNL and Dvorak Law Group, LLC.

The panelists provided an example scenario of intimate partner violence and each went through the steps they would take to assist the survivor in various realms of support. Pecoraro talked through the initial steps of advocacy and how to provide ongoing support, and Knight discussed what it's like to prepare someone for working with a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner and the medical aspect of advocacy. From the legal standpoint, Sgt. Myers walked through the steps of filing a police report and making a statement while Goff explained the pros and cons of filing a restraining order and working with the courts. The webinar featured moderated Q&A throughout and ended with the panel fielding any final questions. Two CEUs were offered by GATSA for Social Workers who participated.

August: National Immunization Awareness Month

August is National Immunization Awareness Month! The purpose of this month-long observance is to raise awareness and increase knowledge on the necessary vaccinations and immunizations we all should be getting during our lifetime. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), thousands of American adults get sick each year from diseases that vaccines can prevent.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, coverage of vaccination needs was at the top of many American's mind, but along with this came a great deal of misinformation spread about vaccinations. Do you know what vaccinations you need? Take this quiz from the CDC to find out!

UNO offers students free flu shots and paid immunizations on-campus at the Nebraska Medicine UNO Health Center. Call the Health Center at 402-554-2374 to schedule an appointment today.

September: Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. This is a time to raise awareness of a frequently stigmatized, and often taboo, topic. The changes and decisions that often define a person's young adulthood can feel challenging, stressful, and overwhelming for everyone. If you feel you are drowning in coursework or tough life decisions and you have no one to turn to, know that you are not alone.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call the Omaha Area Behavioral Health Services Crisis Line at 402-717-4673 for immediate help. If you feel that your mental health is struggling and just need someone to talk to that's "been there," you should feel free to call the Safe Harbor Peer Crisis Services' "Warm Line" at 402-715-4226. Both lines have people available 24/7 to help you whenever you need it.

UNO offers to every student free, short-term counseling services through Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Through CAPS you can also request to meet with a Wellness Coach that can assist students throughout the year in strengthening skills such as stress reduction, time management, and study planning.

Omaha AHEC Referral Guide

AHEC Scholar Applications Are Now Open!

The AHEC Scholars Application is officially open! The Nebraska AHEC Scholars Program is part of a national initiative that prepares health profession students who want to serve in rural or urban underserved areas. Before submitting your application, refer to the checklist below to see if you're eligible.

Are you enrolled or accepted in a health profession training program at least 24 months in duration? (e.g. physical therapist assistant, paramedic, doctor, pharmacist, nurse.)
Do you have a minimum GPA of 2.5 during the most recent academic year?
Are you interested in practicing in rural or urban underserved areas?
Can you commit to the two year program?
Do you have reliable internet access?

Note: Pre-Health students are NOT eligible for the Nebraska AHEC Scholars Program. Check back once you've enrolled in your health professions training program!

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This program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U77HP21499. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.