Conference:
Pathways Into Health
Rapid
City, SD
This
conference is intended to coordinate opportunities in health professions
education for American Indians. I was able to introduce the concept of AI
Public Health as an academic discipline and the curriculum that includes AI
Health Policy, AI Health Disparities, Cultural Competence in Indian Health,
Research in Tribal Communities, Case Studies in Indian Health, among
others. The concept was well-received and we have several potential
students who are interested in joining our program at NDSU!
The
purpose of this meeting is to identify areas for improved collaboration among
ND Medicaid programs (medical, behavioral health, long term care, etc) and
tribes and IHS. ND Medicaid Director Maggie Anderson chairs these
meetings, and we have identified several new options to improve coordination of
services among the state Medicaid system and IHS and tribal programs! I
will keep you posted...
FirstNative Wound Care Conference
Native
Nations Events
Morongo,
CA
In
addition to all of our other health disparities, American Indians have higher
rates of diabetic foot infections, amputations, and disabilities than other
populations. The purpose of this conference was to highlight new
technologies that have been very successful at reducing amputations. My
presentation focused on some of the challenges we face in trying to provide
health services in impoverished communities and with an under-funded Indian
Health Service. We are looking to develop pilot programs with specific
tribal communities to demonstrate the cost savings and improved outcomes by
using a more aggessive approach to addressing diabetic ulcerations and wound
infections.
I
was able to present information and goals regarding the NDSU MPH Program at the
NDSU Pharmacy National Advisory Board. The information was well-received,
and the Advisory Board is happy with our progress!
I
am on the planning committee for the WDC Melbourne conference. We
anticipate several thousand participants from around the world to attend this
meeting. I presented at the last two conferences on International
Indigenous Diabetes in Melbourne, Australia and in Copenhagen, Denmark. I
am on the planning team for the Indigenous Peoples Stream--I will be providing
a keynote address and I will be moderating two panels, including a Traditional
Healers Panel! We will have traditional healers presenting on their
perspectives on diabetes from American Indian, Alaska Native, Aboriginal
Australian, and Moari (New Zealand)--this will be a very exciting event!
Fargo-MoorheadAmerican Indian Education Program
3rd
Annual Wellness Conference
Fargo,
ND (Fargo Dome)
The
purpose of this conference is to promote wellness among AI students and
families in F-M schools. The presentation provided an overview of
traditional Lakota approaches to child and family health. Some of my
favorite quotes: "A child is sacred. And when a child comes
into the home, the family must welcome it. And if the child feels the
want, he will come into this world very, very strong, and not to know this is
to know nothing." Blackfeet.
Unfortunately,
the social circumstances many of our children face are very difficult.
With family and community support, we can encourage our youth to finish school
and to be very, very strong. Another quote: "You are only as happy
as your saddest child."
NativeAmerican Research Center for Health (NARCH) and United Tribes Technical College
Bismarck,
ND
The
purpose of this conference was to raise awareness of health career
opportunities for American Indians. I provided a keynote presentation on
AI Heatlh Careers, and I was able to moderate two panels: Current AI
health professions students (medicine, pharmacy, public health, epidemiology,
occupational therapy) and a Current AI Health Professionals Panel (Medicine,
Nursing, Research, Epidemiology). Approximately 80 people attended the
conference, and several students are now even more interested in pursuing
health careers!
