Mid-Central Regional Center AHEC Update
Saginaw Health Careers Pipeline Program
In collaboration with Central Michigan University (CMU) College of Medicine, the 4th Annual Saginaw Area Health Careers Pipeline Program for 9th and 10th graders interested in health careers from underserved and disadvantaged backgrounds was hosted by the Mid Central AHEC. The program, which concluded in April, brought together 30 students from seven urban and rural schools throughout Saginaw County and 13 college mentors from Central Michigan University and Saginaw Valley State University. During weekly sessions, participants experienced health career exploration, college mentoring, and leadership development activities. The program was made possible by a trust managed by Huntington Bank and key collaborations with Covenant Healthcare members and third and fourth-year CMU medical student facilitators. Throughout the eight-week program, students participated in skill-expanding activities related to nutrition, CPR, and ‘Stop the Bleed’ along with exploring careers across the health industry including public health, medicine, nursing and more.
Thumb Health Careers Pipeline Program – Wolf Health Heroes Club
From early March to June, the Thumb Community Health Partnership (TCHP) carried out a weekly health careers pipeline program in the Thumb Region with support from the Michigan Health Endowment grant for Health & Human Service Workforce Development Youth Programs and collaborative partners including the Mid Central AHEC. This middle school club was hosted at Sandusky in Sanilac County to those interested in exploring the health and human service career opportunities available in the area and beyond. Throughout the 10-week program, program participants explored careers spanning from infectious disease to physical and behavioral therapies to laboratory technicians and more. Key support from individuals and area organizations like Marlette Regional Hospital, Deckerville Community Hospital, Sanilac County Health Department, and McKenzie Health System made the sessions come to life with hands-on activities, presentations, facility tours and more.
AHEC Scholars
Mid Central AHEC Regional Center is proud to congratulate the 10 Central Michigan University College of Medicine students and five Ferris State University College of Pharmacy students on successfully graduating from the AHEC Scholars Program this year.
Following their graduation from the AHEC Scholars program this April, a couple scholars took time to share how their experience has better prepared them for the next step in their careers. CMU College of Medicine graduate, Dr. Jake Quarles, shared that his participation allowed him “to expand on information that we had already been exposed to and learn a lot more in the different areas that play a role in the patient's lives that we take care of every day.” Dr. Katrina Marshall, Ferris State University College of Pharmacy graduate says her “experience with AHEC Scholars has provided me with an opportunity to network with individuals in different fields and gave me tools and resources to help better care for some of our most vulnerable patient populations, the underserved and rural areas.” These scholars embody the program’s goal to supplement classroom instruction and prepare students to enter the health professions workforce with enhanced knowledge and skillsets to better serve rural and medically underserved communities.
Read more on what Jake, Katrina, and other graduates had to say here regarding their participation: AHEC Scholars Graduate Spotlight
The next cohort of AHEC Scholars will begin in October with applications being accepted currently. College students in the last two years of their academic program (medicine, pharmacy, physician assistant, psychology, nursing, public health, dentistry, and more) are eligible to participate.
Learn more here: https://miahec.wayne.edu/healthcareers
National AHEC Organization (NAO) Center Director Constituency Group (CDCG) Presentation
On May 10th, Mid Central Regional Center Program Manager, Jennifer Morneau-Wilson joined the CDCG Open Call – Social Media Strategies and Success Stories for Centers meeting to present regarding the center’s use of key social media platforms and to share insights for expanding an online presence. The meeting brought together AHEC members from across the country to share beneficial resources and practices that have proven effective in cultivating greater engagement and use of social media outlets. Additional information gleaned from the discussion will also be utilized to enhance the services and resources provided by the CDCG in the future.
Tele Mental Health Symposium Series
On April 11, the Central Michigan University Interdisciplinary Center for Community Health and Wellness in partnership with Michigan’s Mid Central and Western Regional Community Consortium AHECs hosted Part II of the Tele Mental Health Symposium Series titled ‘Children's Mental Health Services: Tele Health in Schools & Beyond’ for the more than 80 attendees.
During the virtual event, information was provided on innovative health services for school communities including their techniques for behavioral health support services, education, training, tele health, and more. Presenters included Dr. Jennifer Rojas-McWhinney, Managing Director within the Department of Psychiatry at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and Jeff Carr, MS, Senior Program Director, who shared the Campus Alliance for Tele Health Resources, services, training, and Project ECHO efforts underway. Scott Hutchins, School Mental Health, and Medicaid Consultant for the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) in the Office of Health and Nutrition Services also provided an update on Michigan’s 31 School-Based Mental Health Services Program model.
With the desire to further network, collaborate, and develop solutions, previous attendees and newly interested persons should all save-the-date for Part III of the Tele Mental Health Symposium Series to be held on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. More information to come soon.
Michigan Health Policy Forum – Spring 2023 Forum
The Michigan Health Policy Forum was established in 1986 by a bipartisan group of healthcare stakeholders from state government, health organizations, the community, and academia. Michigan State University is proud to have served as the convener and administrator of the forum for its 30-year history. The purpose of the Forum is to provide policymakers and other key stakeholders with an opportunity to learn about and discuss health policy issues in an atmosphere free from partisan demands. The Forum is guided by an Advisory Board of health policy leaders who provide recommendations on the topics and speakers presented by the Forum.
The Michigan Health Policy Forum had its Spring 2023 Forum on May 22, 2023, titled, “Pathways to Action & Solutions for Health Workforce Shortages.” April Osburn, Executive Director, of the Central and Western Area Health Education Centers served as a panelist on the Healthcare Continuum Sector portion to discuss the health pipeline program we have in place in Michigan to recruit and train healthcare providers. The presentation showcased pipeline successes that impact sixth through tenth-grade students. Other panelists who are making an impact in Michigan discussed the post-secondary education model at community colleges, nurse residency programs to address rural education, employer and attrition, apprenticeships to promote career pathways and fill immediate employers needs and the public health sector.
Tribal Opioid Summit
After careful consideration, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe made the difficult decision to reschedule the Tribal Opioid Summit at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort to November 1-2, 2023. We believe this decision is in the best interest of our attendees, speakers, and sponsors. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Thank you for understanding and we hope to see you at the November conference. Additional event details will be shared in the coming weeks.