Connecting Students to Careers, Professionals to Communities, and Communities to Better Health
Welcome to the Central Colorado AHEC monthly newsletter for May 2019.
Read below for information on upcoming community events, job/service opportunities, updates on our programs, and more.
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We're Hiring!
Professional Education Manager
(Part-Time)

The Professional Education Manager coordinates and provides educational experiences for healthcare professionals, healthcare students, and the community. This position evaluates performance of current programs and designs and implements new programs as needed. The Professional Education Manager participates in relevant meetings and events with healthcare professionals and community organizations; manages educational and community-based experiential training; and maintains financial oversight over related program budgets.

Details:  This is a part-time, non-exempt, position and is supervised by the Executive Director. Worksite wellness program benefits and a professional development budget are included. Neither medical nor retirement benefits are provided with this position. Based on experience, this position offers $25.00-$30.00 per hour.
Reflections of a Decade

“At the beginning, I was just trying to help out where I could. Kris [Wenzel, CCAHEC’s founding Executive Director and Pat’s sister] was focused on community connections” and needed someone for accounting management. After Pat’s position was eliminated from Rocky Mountain News, she pursued accounting courses and dove right in. Pat mused that the last ten years have been interesting. Four Executive Directors with different leadership styles and processes, a large-scale office move from Anschutz Medical Campus to our current location in South East Denver, and numerous advances in technology and policy kept Pat’s position fresh. “I realized pretty early on that this was going to be a new long-term career.” Pat goes on to say that “you find your way, and you learn about new products and new ways of doing things, and you take it all in stride.”

“Pat exemplifies the spirit of loyalty and the passion for teamwork,” said Lin Browning, CCAHEC Executive Director. “She came to CCAHEC to help her sister and she has led us in the development of our work family. Pat cares deeply about our mission and keeps us all smiling as we work together to achieve it. Never one to say no to a new challenge, Pat motivates us all to be innovative and responsive to our communities.”

Pat exemplifies the spirit of loyalty and the passion for teamwork.

We asked Pat what the best thing about working at CCAHEC is and she said “helping others, such as high school students, but also being able to help Lin with reports and being there for whatever else she needs. I was once asked why I come back every day. Really, it’s because it constantly changes on a daily basis. Technology changes, I learn more, new programs begin…you just don’t know what is going to happen.” A staple within office culture, Pat loves “coming in each day and finding out what’s next, knowing what to do, and communicating and staying up to date on what’s going on with each person and program.” She enjoys the team and supporting them in any way she can.
Student Housing Host: Anne Marie Polich

"The young students I host are on their road to success. They will make a difference in the world! The students that come through make my life richer and help me to feel optimistic for the future." - Anne Marie Polich

CCAHEC's student housing program wouldn't be possible without our gracious hosts. This month, we'd like you to meet Anne Marie Polich. She's been a host for 5 years now!
"Anne Marie is exactly what you look for in a host. She is a nice, flexible, welcoming, and overall great human being,” said Mitch Fittro, CCAHEC Education and Workforce Manager. Anne was kind enough to answer a few questions about her time as a host.

Personal Background – My husband passed away 5 years ago, and I felt lonely in my 4-bedroom house. I wanted to share my house with someone who needed it. My neighbor told me about CCAHEC housing program and I signed up. I am a life coach and love to talk to younger people about their goals and experiences. 

How long have you been a host? – 5 years ago this January. It has been a great experience! I’m glad I came on board. I have had some LOVELY young people in my house and appreciate the additional income. I am a neat person and was hesitant at first about having extra people around. But the students have been respectful of my space and easy to get along with. They clean up after themselves and I have benefited from their company. 

Why did you decide to become a host? – As stated before, I wanted to share my house and receive extra income. I have enjoyed the cultural experiences that hosting students from different backgrounds allows. I have had international students in the past as well as American students. 
HOUSING HOSTS NEEDED

Hosts needed for student housing in the Longmont, CO area.
If you or someone you know are interested click here to sign up.
César Chávez Day of Service

For similar reasons as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the AmeriCorps members of the Colorado Community Opioid Response Program got together again! The full team was in Denver for the César Chávez Day of service. César Chávez Day is a federal holiday proclaimed by President Barack Obama in 2014. The holiday celebrates the birth and legacy of the civil rights and labor movement activist César Chávez. AmeriCorps honors the memory of Mr. Chávez by requesting members get out in the community and serve in a different way. The State National and VISTA members were in Denver on April 4 th and 5 th to participate in this day of service.

Along with service to community, this time was also a great way for members from across the state to interact and build lasting relationships. On April 4th, the members spent some of the day talking about the book they have all been reading, “Everything is Horrible and Wonderful” by Stephanie Wittels Wachs. This awesome book makes personal connections with people affected by substance use disorder, and is a reminder that substance misuse can impact everyone regardless of socioeconomic status. At lunch that day, members had the chance to meet Executive Directors from AHECs around the state, Colorado AHEC Program Office staff, and other community leaders
working toward the reversal of the opioid epidemic.

On April 5 th, the AmeriCorps members got to know their team and serve their community with Volunteers of America. The group served over 50 vulnerable community members. The members organized clothing donations, made plates, handed out food, and cleaned up the space. Pam Willis, the Mission Program Coordinator, spent time familiarizing the team with her organization, and they plan to volunteer with the soup kitchen again in July to paint the kitchen!

We encourage you to celebrate and honor the legacy of César Chávez through small acts of service. Extraordinary change occurs when we make conscious effort to care.
“I cannot do all the good that the world needs. But the world needs all the good that I can do.”
― Jana Stanfield
Employment & Service Opportunities
STAFF POSITION: Professional Education Managaer (Part-Time)
SERVICE POSITION: AmeriCorps Community Opioid Response Member
SERVICE POSITION: AmeriCorps VISTA Member
Community News & Events
FREE YHC Castle Rock Medical Clinic

May 11, 8:30 am - 10:30 am
St. Francis of Assisi Church
2746 5th Street, Castle Rock, Colorado
Check out the Colorado Consortium's Newsletter!

There are a lot of great people working hard and doing great things as Colorado works to combat the opioid crisis. To help everyone stay connected and informed, the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention has created a new email to share important news, announce events and new programs, and more!
Southwest Regional Conference

When
Friday, July 26, 2019 at 7:00 PM MDT to Sunday, July 28, 2019 at 12:00 PM MDT
Where
Glenn Eyre Castle 
3820 N. 30th St.
Colorado Springs, CO 80904-5001
The Colorado Society of Medical Assistants (CSMA) is proud to be hosting the annual SWR Conference. Please join us in Colorado Springs at the Glenn Eyre Castle.

Please send flight information to Boni Bruntz if you would like the George and Terry Shuttle Service from the Colorado Springs Airport to the Castle. George and Terry shuttle service will also take you back to the airport. Plan your departures after the SWR meeting on Sunday at noon. This is a free charge service. If you need other service please let us know.

We are offering an all inclusive meal ticket for $130 for Friday night dinner, Saturday (3 meals), and Sunday Breakfast. The castle is not near any dining that is walking distance. 
10 CEU Credits will be offered. Wear comfortable clothes as we will be doing events inside and outside. An agenda will be sent prior to event.
Check out free training opportunities from Rocky Mountain Public Health Training Center
 
Get Back into Nursing!
Our refresher courses help LPNs and RNs renew their Colorado license if they have been expired for more than two years. These online "anytime, anywhere" programs are self-paced and approved by the Colorado State Board of Nursing.

Click on one of the logos above for more information.
If you have any questions, suggestions, or feedback,
please email us at: [email protected]