Mid-Central Regional AHEC Update
2023 Tele Mental Health Symposium Series Concludes
At the end of September, the 2023 Tele Mental Health Symposium Series concluded with Part III ‘Responding to Michigan’s Mental Health Crisis: Tele Health Innovations for Improving Access to Care'. Natalie Kasiborski, PhD, LMSW, MPH, consultant for the School Community Health Alliance of Michigan and assistant professor for Michigan State University, presented on Transforming Child and Adolescent Health Centers: Navigating Lessons and Embracing Opportunities in Telehealth Integration, while Reid Plimpton, MPH, project manager for the Northeast Telehealth Resource Center, educated attendees on Building Connections Digitally: The School Systems’ Role in Bridging the Digital Divide for our Youth.
This three-part series was hosted by Central Michigan University College of Medicine Rural Health Equity Institute and the Mid-Central and Western Area Health Education Centers. The series brought together more than 230 people from education, healthcare and other backgrounds from around the country to further explore the advances and challenges being made in tele mental health practices, policies and partnerships. If you would like to view the recordings from this series, please reach out to: midcentralahec@cmich.edu.
Tribal Court Officials Announce Fourth Annual Statewide Tribal Opioid Summit
On Nov. 1-2, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and SCIT Tribal Court officials will be hosting the fourth annual Statewide Tribal Opioid Summit at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort Entertainment Hall. Tribal court magistrate Carol Jackson has been working closely with April Osburn, executive director of Mid-Central and Western Area Health Education Center (AHEC) and the summit planning committee in developing an array of keynote speakers.
"The summit is not only for potential participants and sponsors, but our goal is to inform the community as they feel the tremendous traumatic effects and impacts of this epidemic. This year’s theme of the summit is about “Healing Our Families and Communities Together,” Jackson said. “Training is key in the combat against overdoses, suicides and murdered and missing indigenous people (MMIP). We hope to spread a message of helping our communities to heal and to reduce the stigma and shame associated with the pain of addiction.”
Osburn mentions AHEC is honored to be a part of this journey with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. “In partnership with the CMU College of Medicine, the Mid-Central and Western AHEC is a non-profit organization. For over eleven years, AHEC has supported the college's mission of increasing medical student placements in medically underserved areas,” Osburn said. “In addition, it provides healthcare education to the community. There is no doubt that the opioid epidemic has a devastating impact on the victims and their families.”
The summit supporters include the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Court, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Mid-Central & Western AHEC, Region V Public Health Training Center, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort, Soaring Eagle Marketing Department, CMU Rural Health Equity Institute and CMU College of Medicine.
For more information, go to: https://i.wayne.edu/mi-ahec/fall2023/2023_tribal_opioid_summit_brochure_10_17.pdf
By Joseph V. Sowmick, photojournalist
MI Career Quest Middle Michigan Event
Mid-Central AHEC, in partnership with Central Michigan University’s Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions, participated in the 2023 Fall MI Career Quest Middle Michigan event. The annual event, hosted by Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!, brought together over 4,000 10th grade students from across the region to explore high-growth occupations through hands-on demonstrations and activities in the advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, construction, health sciences and information technology industry sectors.
Health Career Pipeline Programs
CMU CampMed
Central Michigan University College of Medicine with the support of the Mid-Central Area
Health Education Center hosted CampMed this past June. During the on-campus camp, more than 45 participants from around the state of Michigan came together to explore the medical field with activities organized by medical students. Activities included a splinting clinic, case studies, anatomy lessons, clinical and vital skills, emergency medicine simulations, suturing clinics, touring the CMU Mobile Health Central clinic, and more. Participants also experienced life on campus while staying and eating in residence halls during the two-day opportunity.
USA Middle School Program
This summer the Thumb Community Health Partnership, with support from the Mid-Central Area Health Education Center, hosted their third health career pipeline program for middle school students within the thumb region at Unionville Sebewaing Area Schools. The program was hosted in conjunction with the summer school schedule to help align supporting resources like transportation services. Participants showed great growth in their personal confidence and interest in pursuing human and health careers during this five-week program.