Southeast PA AHEC Newsletter

Winter 2020

Pediatric Oral Health Initiative

SE PA AHEC's new Pediatric Oral Health Initiative, which aims to decrease the incidence of childhood caries, will be piloted in February. This initiative will increase the number of primary care providers in the Southeast PA region who screen for oral health and apply fluoride varnish to eligible children by raising awareness about training and resources available.

Training more primary care providers to apply fluoride varnish was highlighted by the 2017-2020 Pennsylvania Oral Health Plan as a cost-effective method for improving pediatric oral health. Childhood caries, or cavities,are the most common chronic childhood disease and accessing regular dental care can be difficult, particularly for low-income families or families living in dental shortage areas. Application of fluoride varnish in the primary care setting allows clinicians to protect more children from adverse oral health outcomes.

If you would like to learn more about SE PA AHEC's Pediatric Oral Health Initiative or are interested in participating, contact cpolit@sepaahec.org.

SE PA AHEC Staff Trained To Facilitate Poverty Simulation

Southeast PA AHEC Executive Director Christine Polit and program partner and SE PA AHEC Board Member Kim Strauch, from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, attended the Community Action Poverty Simulation (CAPS) facilitator training in Springfield, Missouri last summer. CAPS was designed by the Missouri Community Action Network and uses the lived experiences of their clients to illustrate the complex, interconnected challenges faced by people and families living in poverty. 

SE PA AHEC is now proudly able to offer this immersive simulation experience with an aim to increase awareness and understanding of the realities of poverty among healthcare workers and students in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

If you are interested in scheduling a CAPS facilitation, please contact Christine Polit at cpolit@sepaahec.org. 

Volunteer Opportunity!

SE PA AHEC partner Universal Audenried Charter High School is in need of industry professionals (Registered Nurse, Physician, Physician Assistant, Pharmacist, Medical Assistant) to volunteer one day of their time to evaluate the performance portion of students' Health Related Technology NOCTI assessment.  This experience is a great way to meet high school students skilled and interested in the healthcare pathway, as well as volunteer in your community! Volunteers are needed the week of March 30th between 11am-4pm. To learn more, contact us!

Staff Spotlight

Liz Kiefer, MPH- Program Manager

Liz came to SE PA AHEC by way of New England. Originally from Connecticut, she earned an MPH in Community Health Education from the University of Massachusetts in 2018 and shortly after moved to Philadelphia. 

She began working part-time for AHEC in August 2018, primarily providing training  for the NAO HPV Immunization Project and working with the Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) program with the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. Today, she is a full-time employee, leading SE PA AHEC’s provider education efforts, pipeline activities, and data management, as well as managing the social media accounts. In her free time, she likes to bake and play board games.

You can reach Liz at ekiefer@sepaahec.org.

Lupus Education For Primary Care Provides

SE PA AHEC has been selected by the National AHEC Organization and American College of Rheumatology to provide small group education sessions on lupus as part of The Lupus Initiative national program. SE PA AHEC will work with local partners to provide education to primary care providers in Southeastern Pennsylvania on how to recognize the disease. Clinicians will learn about identifying potential cases of lupus and will be connected with a local rheumatologist to whom they can refer patients if they suspect lupus.

Be on the lookout for more information about when and where our small group provider session will occur and how to register. If you are interested in learning more or want to be involved, please email Christine Polit at cpolit@sepaahec.org.

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