HEAL Class Journal

Today's class included a presentation from Dr. Martin on Health Disparities, particularly diabetes and diseases of the eye. Points discussed in relation to disparities included:

• Gender
• Sexual orientation
• Various diseases
• Age
• Socioeconomic status
  
• Education

Also discussed was the importance of making specific definitions for what a disparity is according to target audience (talking to patients vs. grant writing) and knowing how to communicate and understand the patient, for example, referring to diabetes has having "the sugars."

Points discussed about diabetes included:

• Types
• Incidence and prevalence
• Risk factors: what can be modified and what cannot

Factors able to be modified, especially related to disparities, include environment

Ideas on helping patients modify environment included:

• Making urban areas safe for exercise areas
• Where one grocery shops and food choices available

We also discussed how to most effectively reach African American women through education and ideas included:

• Young: technology
• Middle-Seniors: church, grocery stores, creating opportunities to stay active

Please offer your thoughts and comments on today's topics and ideas resulting from the presentation. For example, what might be your thoughts or ideas about best reaching African American women, how might one change their environment or how to best communicate with and understand the patient?

Mentor Journal Entry 4

Well, it was our last individual group meeting with our students.  Any final thoughts?

Mentor Journal Entry 3

We covered quite a few topics with our students this week, including transcripts reviews, goal setting, problem solving, study skills, etc.  Please share your thoughts on this week's meeting.

Journal Entry # 5

HEAL topics covered in class today include:

Alcohol use and the similarities or differences across ethnicity, income, education, economics and more specifically, amongst medical students and physicians (signs of impairment) and what one can do to be an activist against alcohol use and how to be a resource in providing others in seeking assistance or how to go about reporting. Suggestions included prevention measures such as stress management and setting standards in place for behaviors that are acceptable, what behaviors are not and the consequences. The use of other various substances and the stats on the different types used were discussed.

Adolescent pregnancy and the rates across different regions in the United States. Being in the south, a region where teenage pregnancy is high, the class discussed thoughts about how to go about patient care and the importance of giving out correct information to teens and creating a comfortable, nonjudgmental environment where the patient can ask questions

Cigarette Smoking and the expense, prevalence, rates among ethnicity and factors affecting use such as risky behaviors and education. Resources discussed included smoking cessation programs, stress reduction and medications such as the patch.

Please share your thoughts.

Mentor Journal Entry 2

The second session with our students is complete.  Did anything interesting happen in your group discussion today?  Were there any topics worth sharing with your fellow mentors?  Or perhaps you have some general thoughts on how the sessions are progressing and developing?

Share your thoughts below.

Journal Entry #4

Advocacy and Community Outreach

At our last meeting, we discussed community outreach, how to become involved, and why this involvement is important in our future practice.  We also heard about the example of rural communities and understanding their setup, cultural practices, hierarchal importance, considerations for effective communication, etc.  

Please share your thoughts on the class.  

Great job to the HEAL programming students, the first program was a wonderful success!

Resources

Hello Mentors,

Just a note that I have added some helpful links on topics such as interest and values identifiers, study skills, high school time line, admissions information, scholarship search, SAT prep, resume writing, interview tips, salary information, etc. Most of theses resources are from GACollege411 and they definitely fit into the syllabus for Near Peer. I have uploaded a document with all the links, something that you could give to your students if you are interested in doing so.

Journal Entry #3

Today's class focused on discussing our experiences in the programming board process and our experiences in Near Peer. What do you think about our discussions? Were they helpful? Please share your thoughts.

Great job to all the mentors for a very successful and positive first meeting with your students! We are off to a wonderful start; great connections have already been made and thank you to the mentors for creating such a friendly and inviting environment for the high school students to feel comfortable enough to share their experiences and for helping each one to feel good about asking any questions that they may have. The high school students are already learning about the realities of healthcare career ladders and the many different pathways that people can take. Thank you again mentors for giving your time and allowing your high school students to get the individual attention and the positive role model that they need!

Mentor Journal Entry 1

Well, the first day of mentoring is complete.  What did you think?

Journal Entry #2

Workforce Disparities

Health Disparities

Today, we discussed many topics, heard several interesting statistics, and considered various health disparities.  A few highlights are listed below.  

• Pressing need for primary care physicians in Georgia
• Residency programs expansion
• Medical student tendencies to practice in underserved areas or within the state in which they attend medical school 
• Diversity in the workforce
• Disparities in healthcare
• Collecting detailed information from patients to effectively address disparities and cultural competency
• And many more.

Share your general thoughts on class today or on any specific issue that stood out to you.

Mentors

Hey All,

Directions to AR Johnson can be found HERE.  Directions to Academy of Richmond County can be found HERE.

Below is a small list of reminders for upcoming meetings.  It is not comprehensive, but it might be helpful.  Under the documents section, you can find copies of a sample GA High School Transcript and guidance on GACollege411 accounts.

Mentor Reminders

Session 1

• Be sure to collect the student contracts and the pre-tests at the end of the session.
• Emphasize that the pre-tests are not graded for accuracy or completeness.  
• Ensure the students will have their GACollege411 account set up sometime BEFORE the third session.

Session 2

• Remind students to bring a copy of their TRANSCRIPTS for session 3.  They must start this process immediately after the second meeting at their individual schools because it requires time.
• Ensure the students will have their GACollege411 account set up sometime BEFORE the third session.
• Information reminder: Importance of standardized tests (SAT, COMPASS) should be emphasized.  HOPE no longer pays for remedial courses in college.  If students are in need of 3 or more remediate areas, then no eligibility for GA state institutions.  

 Session 3

• Discuss difficulties they might encounter and what concerns them about the process.  Stress the importance of problem solving for these issues. 
• Time management is a huge aspect of setting good habits and forming efficient, pragmatic study skills.  
• Handouts will be provided by Denise about admission requirements and financial aid to be provided to students.  
• Remind students to bring a copy of their ESSAYS for session 4.  You can have them email the essay in advance of session 4 as well.  

Session 4

• Homework essays will be reviewed by mentors.  Be strict with grammar, content, flow, etc.  Be honest and pragmatic as essays are essential to admissions.  Admissions are looking for reasons to FILTER applicants, and a weak admissions essay is an easy filter.  STAND OUT IN A GOOD WAY.
• Discuss essays individually during the session. 
• Last set of handouts will be provided by Denise to highlight programs at GHSU.

Session 5

• On-campus tours.  Let Denise and Jennie know about availability during this day.  

ARTS IN THE HEART

Arts in the Heart is this weekend (September 16-18) in downtown Augusta.  Check out the website for details on times, tickets, etc.

Here is a great promotional video if you are wondering what Arts in the Heart Festival is all about.

Dr. Halbur would like everyone to attend as a part of the service component of the course.  It will count towards your total service hours....AND it should be a super fun festival!!

Enjoy.

Health Debts Push People into Poverty

Journal Entry #1

Aspects of Mentoring

Chronic Disease and Poverty

Today we discussed some key aspects of mentoring and also chatted about chronic disease and poverty.  Share your thoughts with everyone below.

Some questions you might want to address:

• What is the cycle of poverty and why can't people escape?
• What impact will poverty have on you as you work with patients?
• What perceptions do people have about the income and lifestyle of physicians?

Poverty and Chronic Disease

The last question for today, which might make for a great blog entry, is as follows:
What perceptions do people have about the income and lifestyle of physicians? How will you address these in your practice?

College Coaching Calendar (Mentors)

Hey mentors,

Take a look at the preliminary mentor schedule that Ms. Kornegay developed from our meeting yesterday.  She would really like some feedback on whether it covers everything we discussed yesterday, any additions, the flow of the schedule, etc.

Please comment below on the "comments" link.

Thanks!

Tuskegee Experiment

Welcome to HEAL!

Hey All,

We are excited to launch HEAL this fall and to welcome you to our new blog.  We hope that this forum serves as an easy way to share experiences throughout your time as a HEAL leader, provide you with quick access to HEAL resources, and enhance communication between all members of the organization.

Keep watching for continued developments and changes as we progress through the year.

Liftoff!!!