SOUTHWESTERN AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER — SOUTHWESTERN AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER

Southwestern AHEC to Celebrate National Infant Immunization Week

Joan — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:04:20 +0000

Southwestern AHEC will celebrate National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) by hosting our 6th annual Mother’s Day Socials. On April 28th, mothers and pregnant women will be learn about vaccines for childhood preventable diseases through a short presentation and a BINGO learning activity. In addition, a dental hygienist will talk about oral health of the mother and young child. Refreshments and small giveaways will be provided, and there will be activities for pre-schoolers. AHEC’s program is coordinated with the Bridgeport WIC Program, and will be held in the morning at the Optimus Health Care WIC Program Office, and in the afternoon at the Southwest Community Health Center WIC Program Office. For information call Joan or Millie at (203) 372-5503.

Health Professions Students – Become a Mentor!

Meredith — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:13:36 +0000

Make a difference in shaping our future health care!

The Stratford Public High Schools invite your participation in their successful ELECTRONIC MENTORING PROGRAM.

The Mentees: Stratford and Bunnell High School students

The Mentors: Quinnipiac University Health Professions students and other CT health care professionals

Framework: Once/week correspondence via e-mail

Timeframe: 10 weeks beginning February 10, 2012

Benefits for the high school student:

Gain new perspectives on a wide range of health careers
Gain knowledge of skills required for specific careers
Attain awareness of the world of work
Make connection between school and career
Make informed academic and career decisions
Begin to form a network of professionals

Benefits for the mentor:

Make connections between the business and educational communities
Contribute to the growth and development of tomorrow’s workforce
Be more appreciative of youth from diverse backgrounds
Gain the satisfaction of having positively affected a young person’s life!

Structured weekly topics include:

Attendance and Punctuality
Ethical Conduct
Employability Skills
Problem Solving
Adaptability & Flexibility
Initiative & Self Direction
Leadership & Responsibility
Job Retention & Growth

Questions? Call…..

Diane Christiano, Stratford Public Schools: 203.385.4281 or christianod@stratfordk12.org

Joan Lane, Southwestern AHEC: 203.372.5503 or jlane@swctahec.org

Ready to sign on as an E-Mentor? Make that phone call!

Youth Health Service Corps Bunnell High School Fall Service Learning

ylu — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:18:24 +0000

The new Youth Health Service Corps (YHSC) members at Bunnell High School in Stratford just completed their first service learning project on nutrition and fitness! On Monday December 19, 2011 50 high school students in the Medical Pathways 1 course went to Flood Middle School to present the posters that they have been working diligently on for the past few weeks. YHSC members set up a health fair in the gym. Those students who attended gym class that day went to each station and learned something new about getting and staying healthy.

There were 7 groups focused on nutrition topics covering fiber, fats & oils, sugars, salt, protein, fruits & vegetables, and fast foods. We also had 5 groups present about fitness and physical health topics that ranged from flexibility and yoga to cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and obesity. The YHSC members did a fantastic job educating middle school students on the different aspects of maintaining good health. Each group also engaged their audience in a game or demonstration that really enhanced the experience.

We couldn’t be more proud of the students’ efforts and results, as they should be of themselves. We are looking forward to going back to Flood Middle School in the spring. Take a look at some of our posters and presenters!

INTERNET Back! Hurricane Irene affects Southwestern AHEC Operations!

Meredith — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:24:18 +0000

Due to Hurricane Irene, our office at 5520 Park Avenue in Trumbull does not have power! This means that our Phone, E-mail and Internet services are affected, and, we are unable to access our office until the power is restored.

Please bear with us – if necessary please reach us on our cell phones: Meredith – 203 455-1135; Joan – 203 338-1067 and Millie: 203 338-1291. Thank you for your patience and understanding! Below – here we are, planning our strategy for working this week!

Summer Program – Aug. 8 – 12, 2011

Meredith — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 21:27:21 +0000

“Don’t Let Your Life Go Up In Smoke!”

Do you want to to learn about the impact of tobacco on your health and your community, while exploring related health careers?

Day 1: “What’s Up with Tobacco?” Personal and Societal Implications of Tobacco Use

Day 2: “Who’s Here to Help?” Exploring Tobacco-Related Health Careers

Day 3: “Stand Up. Speak Out.” Public Advocacy: Effecting Change on a Health Issue

Day 4: “Spread the Word.” Educating the Community

Day 5: “Share and Celebrate!” Service Learning Presentations to the Community

Open to Bridgeport, Stratford and Norwalk high school students entering grades 10-12. At the University of Bridgeport.

Sponsored by Southwestern AHEC, the American Lung Association of New England, the University of Bridgeport, and the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health Tobacco Control Division.

CONTACT: Vivian Munoz, vmunoz@swctahec.org or Joan Lane, jlane@swctahec.org at (203) 372-5503

Southwestern AHEC, 5520 Park Avenue, Suite 109, Trumbull, CT 06611

Your 2011 Donation Could Give Kids a Healthy Smile!

Meredith — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:17:04 +0000

What a Smile!

Gloria, an 8 y.o. girl from Bridgeport, had never seen a dentist. Her mouth hurt and her mother heard about ORBIT’s Give Kids A Smile Program. Thanks to the generosity of 63 dentists in the greater Bridgeport region, Gloria was one of 452 children who is now able to SMILE and be happy! Funding to coordinate this program ends today, and donations are needed so we can keep children like Gloria from missing school due to tooth pain, and improving their self-esteem because they have a bright, and shining smile! Please consider making a donation today – just click on the DONATE NOW button on the website! Have a Happy New Year!

Say Goodbye to Summer and Keep Smiling!

Meredith — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 01:19:31 +0000

What better way to say goodbye to summer, and usher in the fall season, than with Southwestern AHEC’s Lobster Clambake? Enjoy delicious food, good music, and great company, while helping us continue to help others. All the proceeds are to benefit Southwestern AHEC, and the Give Kids A Smile^® Program in Greater Bridgeport.

Want to learn about careers in Health Care?

Meredith — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 15:40:32 +0000

Do you think you’d like to have a career in health care? But, you don’t know about all the various jobs available?
Consider taking a course at Housatonic Community College this fall called: “Investigations in Health Careers” – HLT 103. Look for this course at the other Community College campus’ too!

Investigations in Health Careers Fall 2010 – Housatonic CC

ORBIT Celebrates Its STARS! May 18th

Meredith — Mon, 17 May 2010 20:41:08 +0000

Click on the link!

ORBIT Stars invitation-1 pg-FINAL

Southwestern AHEC’s Immunization Team Receives Kudos from State!

Joan — Wed, 05 May 2010 23:51:18 +0000

Southwestern AHEC’s Immunization Action Plan team – Community Outreach Coordinator Millie Seguinot and Director of Programs Joan Lane – were recognized by the State of CT Department of Public Health for having “improved both the Bridgeport immunization rate from 75% in 2008 to 77% in 2009″, and having increased “5% in their ability to find and update children in the city who were at risk for being under-immunized.” The letter of commendation states: “This makes the Bridgeport IAP [Immunization Action Plan] program the most improved IAP area in the state.”

The current statistics are even more dramatic when measured against those in effect when Southwestern AHEC assumed responsibility for the Bridgeport immunization program in 2004. At that time, the percentage of children up to date for their shots at age 24 months was just 63% (compared to 77% in 2009).

“Our success is possible because of the excellent collaboration we get from other local agencies, and the cooperation of Bridgeport’s pediatric and family practices,” according to Millie, who has lent her outreach expertise to the program since 2006. “In particular, the WIC office [Women, Infants and Children program] is a critical part of the process of identifying the physicians of children ‘lost’ to the CT Immunization Registry and Tracking System.”

Southwestern AHEC’s Executive Director expressed her delight with the recognition, adding, “We look forward to continuing to work with the medical community to attain the State’s targeted 81% immunization rate for 2 year olds.”