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NEPA AHEC News
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PA Rural Health Association President Keynote Speaker at July Annual Meeting
Lisa Davis, director of the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health and president of the Pennsylvania Rural Health Association, will be the keynote speaker at the NEPA AHECs annual meeting on July 25, 2002. Held on the campus of Keystone College, the NEPA AHEC annual meeting will highlight the work of the NEPA AHEC and its partners in enhancing access to health care through education. Community preceptors will be recognized for their work with health professions students. Board chair Michael Stershic extends an invitation to all NEPA AHEC friends and partners. Mark your calendar for July 25, 2002 at 5 p.m. in the Evans Dining Room, Keystone College.
It may surprise you to discover that the NEPA AHEC has been evaluated three times in the past nine months. We have seen State, Federal and national peer review evaluators examining how well we are doing. While we have not received the results from all of the evaluation programs, I am pleased to report that the preliminary results are very positive. The evaluators have told us things we already knew. They were very impressed by the speed with which we have begun and what we have accomplished in our short history. They were very impressed with the aggressiveness of our current and future plan. Last, but certainly not least, they were very impressed with the professionalism of our staff. We should be proud ... we have done well.
Speaking of staff, I recently had the honor of being the only volunteer to participate in a gathering of the staff members of all Pennsylvania AHEC's including the state program office. What impressed me most was the enthusiasm, energy and commitment of these professionals to the mission of access to health care. They are making a significant difference in the landscape of health care in Pennsylvania. Our staff is equal to the task. We have a right to be proud of our staff and the role they play in the health of our region. We are well poised for the future and prepared to make a difference!
NEPA AHEC Appoints School Coordinator
Mary Casey of Scranton has been appointed as the school coordinator for the Northeast Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center (NEPA AHEC). Ms. Casey will be responsible for developing and coordinating NEPA AHEC programs in the schools throughout the region. These programs are part of the NEPA AHEC's ongoing initiative, "Helping to Grow the Region's Health Care Professionals." The NEPA AHEC promotes health care awareness and math/science readiness for all K-1 2 students.
Mary is a graduate of Trenton State College, is a certified teacher and a former Pennsylvania Council of the Arts artist. Prior to joining the NEPA AHEC, she worked as the educator for the Everhart Museum in Scranton.
Mary is pictured at her desk in the NEPA AHEC office.
Donald Ainslie (D.A.) Henderson, 
a physician and professor of public health at Johns Hopkins University and recently appointed head of the newly created Office of Public Health Preparedness in Health and Human Services, stated that education is of high priority in addressing bioterrorism.
In an article in the February 2002 issue of Smithsonian, Dr. Henderson claims that in a biologic attack there may be no signs for two weeks. Then people will start showing up in ER's and primary care provider's offices. According to Dr. Henderson, all the primary care providers must be educated so they can recognize things like anthrax,plague and small pox.
New Bioterrorism Web Site
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has released a new, up-to-date Bioterrorism web site. AHEC's are a key link in training and disseminating information to the community and health care providers.
The web site is http://www.hrsa.gov/bioterrorism.htm
NEPA AHEC Provides Public Health Internship
During the fall 2001 semester the NEPA AHEC provided a realistic, hands-on learning experience for Jennifer Strauch, a master of public health (M.P.H.) intern from East Stroudsburg University. Throughout her 15 week internship, Jen focused on two major projects. The first was the Rural Health and Safety Day, in which all the fifth graders in Bradford and Sullivan counties (over 800 students) came to the Troy Fairgrounds for a full day of presentations and activities on topics ranging from animals to watercraft. Jen worked with NEPA AHEC preceptor Vera Walline, MPH, to develop and implement the program evaluation and personally collated all the data gathered. The evaluation results made it clear that the energy and resources invested in this day resulted in a great deal of learning by the students.
The second major project involved the newly created Healthy Northeast Access Program, a program designed to link the safety net providers in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties to provide for the uninsured and the underinsured. While the program was still in its early stages, Jen performed the initial steps in developing the program evaluation. Through this process she provided much-needed expertise and analysis, and she had the opportunity to witness the development of a complex program dependent on the coordination of many community organizations and interests.
Jen brought to the internship strong skills in writing, analysis and evaluation that she had developed through the ESU Public Health Program. Vera Walline says, "Jen's input frequently reminded us of the theoretical underpinnings of public health planning, and it was stimulating for us to experience the university connection that we work on building for our preceptors."
During the summer of 2001 the NEPA AHEC also provided a short internship for MPH student Valerie Taylor. Valerie provided significant support for the Exploring Careers in Health camp and the Youth Tobacco Coalition.
The NEPA AHEC was pleased to host two such excellent students in 2001 and looks forward to providing interesting community experiences for similar students from a variety of regional programs in the future.
Cigarette Use Among Teens Higher in Rural Areas
CA - Cancer Journal for Clinicians January / February 2002 reports that cigarette use among teens inches downward but the rate is higher in rural areas. According to the article, fewer teens were smoking in 2000 than in 1999, continuing a downward trend in youth cigarette use since an all-time high in 1997, according to the latest National Household Survey on Drug Abuse by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Among youths in metropolitan areas, nearly 12 percent reported smoking in the past month, compared with nearly 18 percent in rural, non metropolitan areas. Lee Wilson, director of the Synar Implementation Program for the Center for Substance Abuse and Prevention, part of the HHS, says, "I think this is really significant. I think it clearly speaks of a population that maybe is in greater need (of tobacco control efforts)."
Each AHEC in Pennsylvania has a sponsoring medical school. While AHECS work with all health professional schools, the sponsoring school has made a special commitment to the support of the regional AHEC. The NEPA AHEC's sponsoring medical school is Thomas Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University.
ACCESS - School Age Programs
Kids Judge! Neuroscience
"Kids Judge! Neuroscience" is an exciting, national hands-on program designed to spark young students' interest in science - especially neuroscience and functions of the brain. On December 1, 2001, close to 90 Junior Girl Scouts judged 11 exhibits produced by 30 University of Scranton undergraduate neuroscience students. "Kids Judge! Neuroscience" was funded by a small national grant.
Neuroscience Professor Timothy Cannon, Ph.D., oversaw neuroscience students creating and implementing presentations that ranged from "Are You a Super Taster?" to "The Nerve of the Worm!" and "is it Hot in Here?" The university students realized that to be judged the best they had to make the presentation exciting and interesting. "They realized they weren't getting any brownie points for having words that people didn't understand. If they couldn't communicate simply, they would lose. It really turned around the reward structure," stated Deb Colburn of BEEMNET, a national sponsor. The hands-on participation requirement kept the scouts interested and made the concepts and terminology real. Awards were presented to the most interesting presentations at a lunch following the judging. The scouts were thrilled to recognize the winners they chose, while the university students gained valuable experiences.
"Kids Judge! Neuroscience" was a great success for all participants. Plans are underway to repeat the day during the spring semester. The AHEC saw 30 undergraduate students become excited about neuroscience and teaching. And 90 young women were introduced to science in a creative, exciting way that has whetted their appetite for more. The Girl Scout Council was so pleased with the experience that they are creating a Neuroscience Badge on a council level. To generate interest in a neuroscience badge on a national level, the council staff is writing an article about the local "Kids Judge! Neuroscience" for the national scouting magazine Leader.
National Partners:
Brain Exchange Electronic Mentorship Network (BEEMNET)
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience (FUN)
Pictures:
http://academic.uofs.edu/faculty/cannon/kidsjudge/
Photos:
Girl Scouts gather at the beginning of the day before judging beings.
Scouts are shown testing their "helmets" at the "Caution! Falling Eggs Station."
Matt Stefanelli and Stefania Clontz present "It's Just Shocking!" to the Scouts.
Scouts try out the "It's Hot in Here" station with a University of Scranton neuroscience student.
Girl Scouts endeavor to find their "Longest Neuron. "
'Be a Nurse' Held for Grades 7-10
The Department of Health (DOH), Northeast District, and the NEPA AHEC collaborated to create and present an exciting evening program for students in grades 7, 8, 9 and 10 called "Be a Nurse." Developed by Bonnie Donovan, R.N., M.S.N., and Donna Westawski, R.N.-C, M.S.N., of the DOH, the program was offered at all ten county health centers within the northeast DOH district.
Students learned about the wide range of opportunities awaiting them in the nursing profession. Hands-on activities and interactive sessions with experienced professional nurses allowed the students to "Be a Nurse" for an evening. There were handouts, games, prizes and refreshments. Informational packets were also available for students and parents. Parents were welcomed to accompany their children to the program.,
"Be a Nurse" was free to all students in grades 7 through 10.
Photo: Bonnie Donovan and Donna Westawski are shown teaching hand washing and sterile glove techniques during the "Be a Nurse" program held for students at ten county health centers.
Thank You to Our 2001 Preceptors
NEPA AHEC would like to thank the following preceptors, who gave graciously of their time and skills to work with students this past year:
Michelle Aldrich, CRNP
Dr. Joseph Anistranski
Dr. Frederick Bloom
Dr. William Davis
Dr. Peter Decker
Dr. William Dewar IIl
Dr. Franklyn Dornfest
Dr. Johnathon Goldner
Dr. Michael Imbrogno
Dr. Jeffrey Lubin
Dr. Jon Sternburg
Dr. William Swallow
The above preceptors supervised medical, physician assistant and advanced practice nursing students at NEPA AHEC sites in the calendar year 2001. We know that many more professionals in our region are working with students, and we would like to offer our support to all preceptors who are providing strong community training sites for health professions students of all kinds. 
The NEPA AHEC continues to expand preceptor supports and welcomes suggestions from the field. In addition to having the expertise of Clinical Coordinator William Dewar, M.D., on staff, the NEPA AHEC offers continuing education, faculty development, assistance in troubleshooting student issues and special access to the comprehensive resources and support of the Beck Library at the Guthrie Campus. Please give us a call!
Recommended Web Sites for Preceptors
The Community-Based Teaching (CBT) program of the American College of Physicians - American Society of Internal Medicine recommends the following web sites to enhance office-based teaching skills:
Do You Have a Strong Interest in Pursuing a Health-Related Career!
Do You Want to Find Out the Vast Possibilities Available to You?
Then 'Exploring Careers in Health' is for You!
"Exploring Careers in Health" is a week-long camp in which students learn about a variety of health careers through motivational hands-on activities, interactive sessions with professional health care experts and visits to local health care facilities. Last year 25 students participated. Check out www.nepaahec.org to see photos of the students and activities at last year's camp.
The camp is open to all interested high school students entering their sophomore, junior or senior years, as well as graduating seniors. Students must attend school or live in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wyoming, Monroe, Pike, Wayne, Susquehanna, Sullivan or Bradford counties.
The camp will be held July 15-19, 2002, on the campus of Keystone College, LaPlume. The cost, which covers the entire week of camp, will be $40 for day students and $75 for overnight students.
If you would like more information, contact Kate Germershausen at (570) 945-5623.
Demand for Health Care Workers to Grow as Supply Ebbs
According to a recent article in The Nation's Health, the official newspaper of the American Public Health Association, recent projections for the U.S. health care work force show that demand will exceed supply. Sandra Feldman, president of the American Federation of Teachers, which is the parent organization of AFT Healthcare, states, "The shortage of health care workers has reached a critical stage, and it extends beyond the ranks of nurses." Only 3.5 percent of freshmen college women plan to pursue nursing and only one percent of male freshmen.
Other health care professions expecting an increase in demand:
For a copy of the report, call 1-202-8794508 or e-mail tevanson@aft.org.
primary health care services by preparing and recruiting health professionals to shortage areas. Recently they contacted the NEPA AHEC, as one of the state partner organizations, with updated materials explaining the programs offered. Two important changes have been announced:
For further information, or to obtain materials on NHSC programs, please call Vera Walline at the NEPA AHEC office. You may also visit their website, www.bhpr.hrsa.com for a complete listing of qualifying sites.
HHS Report Finds Rural Communities Lacking
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson released a report in the fall of 2001 that shows Americans who live in rural areas fare significantly worse in alth measures than many key he those who live in suburbs and large metropolitan areas.
This is the first time that the annual statistical report on the nation's health has studied health status relative to communities, level of urbanization and is an important step towards recognizing inequities in health access in rural America.
Rural Americans make up 20 percent of the nation's population, but only nine percent of the nation's physicians practice in rural counties. Rural patients also see doctors less frequently and usually later in the course of an illness than their urban and suburban counterparts.
Charlotte Hardt, president of the National Rural Health Association, states, "This study provides a national wake-up call on the federal government's need to address inequities in rural health care."
Pennsylvania covers over 45,000 square miles. Pennsylvania has the 2nd largest population over the age of 65.
59 of the 67 counties in Pennsylvania are designated as medically underserved areas, health professions shortage areas or both.