Michigan AHEC Hosts Annual Returning Veterans Mental Health Conference
In an effort to keep Veterans health issues in the forefront, the five regional centers of Michigan AHEC hosted a conference November 4th to update providers, community agencies and organizations serving veteran populations on recent health care trends and emerging issues.
The Mid Central Regional Center AHEC in Mt. Pleasant convened the statewide conference held at Central Michigan University at the College of Medicine and simulcast the presentations out to the Western Regional Center AHEC at Western Michigan University, the Northern Lower Regional Center AHEC at Kirtland Community College, the Southeast Regional Center AHEC at Wayne State University and the Upper Peninsula Regional Center AHEC center at Northern Michigan University.
The keynote address was delivered by Major General Gregory Vadnias, the Adjutant General and Director of Military Affairs for Michigan. Major General Vadnais commands and directs the Michigan Army and Air National Guard with a total of 159 units. He and his colleague, Director of Veterans Health for Michigan, discussed their concerns of the need for Michigan to stay up to date on the latest therapies, research, patient trends and issues to better meet the health care needs of this group.
Presentations included: "Virtual Platforms to Achieve Patient centered Care to Veterans in Their Homes and Communities," by Kathryn Ball, RN, MSN from the Aleda E. Lutz VA Center, in Saginaw; "Understanding Military Culture and the Role it Plays In Preventing Access to Care for Veterans," by Kamala Yancy, RN, BSN, NP, from the John Dingell VA Center in Ann Arbor; "The VA Choice Program and How It Improved Community Care to Veterans," by Michelle Sorie, RN, BSN, MSN and Aleda E. Lutz from the VA Center in Saginaw and "New Research in Gulf War Syndrome Toxic Pollutants and recommendations in Veteran Care Planning" by Crag Salo, Post Graduate degree & Command, General Staff College, US Army, Veterans Affairs Officer from Marquette County.
Conference planners were able to secure continuing education credits for physicians, nurses and social workers. Approximately 100 attendees participated in the half day conference from all over the State of Michigan with simulcast technology allowing attendees to ask questions and engage in discussions from all regions with the live presenters at CMU.
The Michigan AHEC Regional Centers Network will continue to host the annual conference with emphasis on new and continuing developments in veteran's health care. The next annual conference is tentatively scheduled for November 3, 2017 with topics and presenters to be announced midyear.