Rural and Community Health

MessengerFall 2014 Vol.12/No. 4

Th

eBig Country AHEC Awarded AmeriCorps VISTA Grant

In this Issue:

• BigCountryAHECAwardedAmericorpsVISTAGrant

• ExecutiveVicePresident’sCorner

• Telemedicine/TexLaUpdate

• WTxHITRECProviderSpotlight

• WestTexasAHECCenterDirectorNamedVolunteeroftheYear

• RuralHealthResearch:TechnologyandtheGoodOldDays

• WestTexasAHECStaffReceive

Recognition

• Children’sAdvocacy:ChildAbuseinTexas

• AHECUpdate

• AHECCamperFollowsNursingDream

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A publication of the F. Marie Hall Institute for Rural and Community Health

TheBigCountryAHEC(BCAHEC)devel-opedaHealthyFuturesprogramtobere-sponsivetolocalhealthneedsbyprovidinganinnovative,collaborative,andmulti-disciplin-aryresponsetocom-munityhealthissues.Thisisdonethroughthedevelopmentoflo-callyspecificcommunityeducationtomeettheneedsofthediverseandseverelyunderservedpopulations.InthecaseofBCAHEC,thismeansafocusonaprimarilyruralpopulationtolinkregionalresourceswithlocalresources.TheprogramalignswiththeCorporationforNationalandCommu-nityServicefocusareaofHealthyFutures.

TheBCAHECwasawardedanAmeriCorpsVISTAgranttoplaceVISTAmembersintheselectedcountiestofocusoncapacity-build-ingeffortstocreateorexpandcommunitybasededucationalprogramsandmobilizead-ditionalregionalsupportthatmeettheneedsoftheunderserved,ethnicminority,and/oreconomicallydisadvantagedpopulations.BytheendoftheVistathree-yearproject,BCA-HECexpectstohaveaminimumofeightpro-gramsitesthroughoutitstwenty-eightcountyregionprojectbyperformingactivitiessuchascommunityassessments,promotingand

assistinglocalinitiatives,establishingvolun-teers,anddevelopingavolunteermanagementsystemforhealthyfutures.

Vistamembersinthefirst-yearprogram,Tati-anaNchotu,KimCedilloandCeraCantu,willcontributetotheoverallgoalsoftheprojectbyhelpingBCAHECdevelopanevidence-basededucationmodelforrural-urbanpartnershipinovercomingthebarriersofruralpoverty.

StateRepresentativeSusanKingmetwiththeVISTAmembersNovember13thanddis-cussedHealthcareissueswiththemastheypertaintoWestTexas.

T E X A S T E C H U N I V E R S I T Y H E A L T H S C I E N C E S C E N T E R

Above (L to R): Tatiana Nchotu, Rep. Susan King, Kim Cedillo, Cera Cantu

Executive Vice President’s Corner

Dr. Philips

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Technologyiseverywhere.Ithasperme-atednearlyeveryfacetoflife.Thisgenera-tionhas‘smart’phones,communicationisinstantincludingsendingphotosandvideos,andcomputersareanecessityofevery-dayliving.Consequently,peoplearelackingcertainclosenesswithotherpeople.Watchthenexttimeyouarenearlyanywhereandyouwillseepeoplestaringintotheirmobiledevicesbutnotintootherfaces.Whatworriesmeisthatsomeoftheincivilityofthecurrentageisbecausewearedisconnectedfromeachother.Iwonderifwedon’tneedanational‘put-your-mobile-devices-aside-and-talk-with-words-to-other-people-day’.Ihavegrownsocynicalthatifwehavesuchaday,someonewilllikelymakeanAppforitandruinthewholething!

Iamnotonaranthere.Really!IammerelyreflectingonthetechnologythemeforthisissueoftheMessenger.Pauseforaminuteandthinkofalltheuseful,won-derfulthingsthattechnologyhasdonetoimprovelife.Hereismypersonaltoptenlist–digitalmusic,togoalongwithmyexerciseeveryday;remotecontrolsformyTVwhenIamacouchpotato;splitscreenssoIcanwatchfourgamesatonce;creditcards(debitcardstoo),soIcanbuyallthegreatitemsinthislist;theinternet,formyloveofonlinebanking,buyingmovietickets,andorderingpizza;tex-ting,perhapsthesinglemostpowerfulaidinalltheworldforthosewhoareshyorjustcan’tdosmalltalk;thermalscanners,nomoreguessing,holdingitunderyourtongueorputtingitinotherwisehardtoreachplaces;GPSandtheweatherAP,Iconsiderthisasonenottwobecauseonetellsyouwhereyouareorwhereyouareheadingandtheothertellsyouthesameaboutstorms.Bytheway,GPSmaybethesecondmostpowerfulaidingtoolintheworld;wordprocessing,whichexcelstheskilloftypewriters;andMRIs,toal-lowquicklooksinsideforbrokenthings,cloggedthings,andthingsthatshouldn’t

bethere.

Therearemanywaysinwhichtechnol-ogyhashelpedruralhealth.Twoexcitingtechnologiesarethewidespreadimple-mentationanduseofelectronichealthrecords(EHRs),andtheotheristele-medicine.Bothofthesetechnologieswillleadtohigherqualitycare,betterpatientsafety,andimprovedaccess,especiallyinruralandfrontierareas.Wehaverecentlymergedtwodivisionstocapitalizeonstaffwithexpertiseinbothtechnologiesandtoachievesynergiesthatwillsupportnewmodelsofcarethatwillusemobiledevicestoproducebetterhealthoutcomesandengagepeoplemoredeliberatelyinhealthpromotionactivities.ThisnewdivisionisnamedInnovationsinHealthTechnolo-gies(InHIT).Thefutureofhealthcareisonatrajectorythatwillparallelthatoftechnologyandthisnewdivisionispoisedtobereadyforthechallengesandleadtheaccomplishmentsthatwecanonlydreamaboutnow.

IofteneatatarestaurantinLubbockthatservesanoldfashionplatedlunch.ItisacharmingplacewithlotsofmemorabiliaonthewallthathassignificancetothoseofuswholoveTexasTech,RedRaidersports,farming,andlifeonthehighgroundofTexas.Onthewallarewornsignsadvertisingeverythingfrombreadtogasolinecircathe1930s,Bibleverses,andphotosofpeoplewhoholdaspecialplaceinthecommunity;mostlystudentswhohavegoneontobecomeheroes,stars,astronauts,andtitansofindustryandcommerce.IthasanoldfashionlunchcounterthatsurvivedthebigtornadoofLubbockbackinthe1970s.Ialwayssitatthecounter,whichismostlypopulatedby“old-timers”.Iamstillalittleyoungtobeconsideredone,buttheytolerateme.Itisnotaplacefordigitaldevices,andwouldbeconsideredrudetouseonethere.

Theotherday,Iwasenjoyingaplatelunch

atthisplace.Theusualbanterwasgo-ingaroundwhenmycellphonerang.Allconversationatthecounterstopped,andpeoplewerequietasifinrespectformetalkingonthephone.Iquicklydisposedofthebusinessandendedthecall;youcan’treallysay“hungup”anymorebecausewedon’tdothatwithsmartphones,thatwaswhatwedidwithphonesofabygoneera.Thenthecrewsaidsomethingtomethatmademerealizetherearedefinitelyplaceswheretechnologywillneverbeappropriateandthatlunchcounterisoneofthem.Oneoldtimerwroteonapapernapkintomakethepoint.Thisiswhathewrote:YYUR,YYUB,ICURYY4ME!

Heaskedme,“Doc,canyouread?”Hethentookaknife,remindedmeofmyfirstgradeteacherwhotaughtmetoread,andpointedtotheletters.Heasked,”‘YY’whatdoyoureadthisas?”Isaid,“twoYs”.“Good!”hesaid.“Readthatoutloudtoallofus,”soIdid.WhatIdiscoveredwas“Toowiseyouare,toowiseyoube,Iseeyouaretoowiseforme!”Hesaid,“Mightbeagoodideaforyoutokeepthatinmindwhenyouareusingallthesenewgadgets!”Youknow,Ithinkhehasapointthere.Mightbeagoodlessonforusall.

-Billy U. Philips, Jr.

Technology and Innovation

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Withinthelastfewmonths,theTexLaTelehealthResourceCenter(TRC)hasplannedforfurtherexpansionwiththeap-pointmentofanewDirector,CarsonScott,andestablishingagreaterpresenceinLouisianathroughapartnershipwiththeLouisianaHealthCareQualityForum.Withtheseadditions,theTRCwillcontinuetostriveinallfacetsoftelehealthopera-tions,includingplanning,technicalassessment,training,imple-mentation,evaluationandexpansioninTexasandLouisiana.

AsdefinedbytheAmericanTelemedicineAssociation,“tele-medicineistheremotedeliveryofhealthcareservicesand

clinicalinformationusingtelecommunicationstechnology”.TheTexLaTRCassistsnewandexistingtelehealth/telemedi-cineprogramsthroughoutTexasandLouisiana,helpingthemtoprovidecost-effectiveservicesforallprovidersandhospitalsintheregion,inadditiontoruralandmedicallyunderservedareas.TheTexLaTRCworkswithhealthcareproviders,clinicsandinstitutionstoensureefficiency,sustainabilityandpatientsatisfaction.WithmostofLouisianaandTexasfacingaseverephysicianshortage,telehealthdeliversthedoctortothepatient,regardlessofthedistance.

Ifyouhavequestionsorareinneedoftechnicalassistanceandresourcesfornewandexistingtelehealthprogramsorwouldlikeinformationonupcomingevents,pleasecontacttheTexLaTRCat806-743-7496,texlatrc@ttuhsc.eduorvisitwww.texlatrc.org.

TexLa Telehealth Resource Center – Moving Forward

Thepastfiveyearshaveseentele-medicinetechnologydevelopinsomanyusefulandpowerfulways.Notonlydoweseeimprovementsonexistingtelemedicineequip-mentlikecameras,handhelddevices,andeveninternetservice,butwehaveseennewtechnologylikecloud-basedvideoconfer-encingsystems,remotepatientmonitoringsystems,andevenaself-propellingrobotthatwillap-pearatyourbedsidearmedwithasmartpadtovideoconferencewithaprovider.

Suchingenuityiscertainlywel-comedandapplauded,butitreallyisallaboutthatbase—makingthevirtualcon-nectionbetweenpatientsandproviders.

HereatTTUHSCTelemedicinewereally

dowanttomakeaccesstohealthcaresimpleandtheuseoftechnologytodosoalittlelessdaunting.ByfarmostofourTTUHSCTelemedicinepatientencoun-

tersarebasicinteractionsinvolvingacamerawithencryptionandavideomonitor.Okay,andmaybeafaxmachine,theelectronicmedicalrecord,andafewotherthings,but…yougetthepicture.

Ithinkitisclearthattech-nologycanbeofgreatben-efitinaccesstohealthcareandTTUHSCTelemedicinecanhelpcuresometechno-phobia!

For more information on the Telemedicine pro-gram, please contact Laura Lappe, Associate Direc-tor of Telemedicine at laura.lappe@ttuhsc.edu or 806-743-4440.

Telemedicine and Technology: For Us It’s All About That BaseBy: Laura Lappe, Associate Director of Telemedicine

Above: Telemedicine monitor

AngelM.Rios,MD,WestTexasHealthInformationTechnologyRegionalExtensionCenter(WTxHITREC)memberandprac-ticingObstetrics&GynecologyphysicianinElPaso,TX,hasbeenrecognizedforhismeaningfuluse(MU)achieve-mentofelectronichealthrecords(EHR).Withthisrecognition,Dr.Riosandhisstaffhaveearnedthedistinctionasleadersinhealthinformationtechnology.

Since1993,Dr.RioshasofferedqualitymedicalservicesthroughhisprivatepracticeinElPasoandtypicallyservespatientswithalower-incomelevelwithap-proximately80%ofhispatientsbeingMedicaidbeneficiaries.Ashecontinuestodedicatehistimetoservingpatients,healsounderstandsthevalueofadopt-inganEHRandthebarriersthatmaycomealongwiththeimplementationprocess.

AlthoughDr.RiosachievedMUin2014,itdidnotcomewithoutafewchallenges.He

talkedabouthowitwasalengthyprocesstofindthebestEHRsolutionforhispracticeandhowhehadtoworkwithmultipleEHRvendorstofindthebestfit.Hefocusedhissearchtofindaconcretesystemwithafew

keycomponents,includingastrongempha-sisoncustomerservice,onsitetrainings,andtheabilitytocustomizethesystemwithadditionaltemplates.

Additionally,Dr.Riosmentionedhow“attestingtoMUisnoteasyandtheWTx-HITREChelpedhimduringthecertificationprocesstounderstandtherequirements,gatherallthedocumentationneeded,andto

submittheinformationduringattestation.”Furthermore,asheworkedthroughachievingMU,thisalsoresultedintheuseofthepatientportal.Dr.Riosdiscussedhow“patientsarehappywiththeportalbecausetheinformationistranspar-entandtheycanaccessalltheinformationfromthere,liketheclinicalsummariesandthepatienteducation.”Asfornextsteps,Dr.Riosplanstocon-tinueeducatinghisstaffontheuseofEHRs.

For more information on EHR adoption, achieving MU, EHR incentive payments, and other services provided by the WTxHITREC, please call (806) 743-7960, email info@wtxhitrec.org or visit www.wtxhitrec.org.

Angel M. Rios, M.D. – WTxHITREC Provider SpotlightBy: Carson Scott, Director of Outreach, Marketing, Education and Communications for WTxHITREC

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ElisaWilliford,PermianBasinAHECcenterdirector,receivedtheFayeSmithSpirit2014VolunteerAwardforServicefromMedicalCenterHealthSysteminOdessa,TX.

WillifordhasbeenwiththePermianBasinAHECfor10yearsandhasacloseworkingrelationshipwithherstaffandcommunityorganizations.ShehasservedontheMedi-calCenterHospital’sFamilyHealthClinic(FHC)advisoryboardforsixyearsandhasplayedacrucialpartinthegrowthofthe

FHCandinthedevelopmentofthenewclinicinWestOdessa.

WillifordcurrentlyservesonseveralotherlocalboardsandcommitteeswhosepurposeistoraiseawarenessofthemissionofthePermianBasinAHECandtoenhancetheAHEC’sconnectiontothecommunitiestheyserve.CongratulationsElisa!

West Texas AHEC Center Director Named Volunteer of the Year

Above: Angel M. Rios, M.D.

Left: Susie Dominguez, Kathy Haddock, Jill Skaggs, Elisa Williford, and David Garcia, Director of the Family Health Clinic.

Angel M. Rios, M.D. – WTxHITREC Provider SpotlightBy: Carson Scott, Director of Outreach, Marketing, Education and Communications for WTxHITREC

ProjectFRONTIERwasrecentlyin-terviewingacandidateforaresearchtechnicianpositionwithmanyquestionsfocusedonthecandidate’stechnologicalsophistication.Thismademethinkofmyyoungerdaysasaresearcherandhowmuchhaschanged.WhenIfirststartednooneownedapersonalcomputerand,theonlycomputerwehadavailablewasattheUniversityComputingCenter,theonlyplaceoncampusopenChristmasDay.DatasuchaswecollectfromProj-ectFRONTIERparticipantswashandwritteninprotocolbooksthenconvertedtocomputerpunchcardssostatisticalcalculationscouldbeperformed.Com-puterprogramswerethenwrittenusingmorepunchcardstoreadandanalyzethedata.Thosecardswerethengiventoacomputeroperatorandputinaqueuesotheycouldbeprocessed.Iftherewerealotofcomputerjobsinfrontofyouitmighttakehourstogettheresults.Iftherewasaperiod,comma,orletteroutofplaceonthepunchcardthecomputerwouldkickouttheprogramanddata

sotheerrorcouldbefixedandthentheprocesswouldstartoveragain.Thewaittimewasalwaysanissueduringtheschoolyearwitheveryoneneedingaccesstothecomputer.Youmightactuallygotothecomputercenterinthemiddleofthenighttorunyourprogramasthewaitmightbeonlythirtyminutesinsteadofthreehours.Holidayswereevenquicker,butthoseofuswholivedintownalwaysendedupmeetingthere.Hencetherea-sonthebuildingwasopenonChristmas.Suchcomputerlimitationswerebutoneofthereasonswhyresearchwassuchaslowprocess.Discoveriesoftenseemedtocomeatasnail’spacewhichmeantthatourunderstandingofpeople,diseases,medicines,lifestyle,andwaystoimprovehealthwerenottheretohelpthoseinneed.Fortunately,thosetimeshavechanged.Advancesintechnologyenableustoquicklyandefficientlyanalyzedataandreachconclusions.TheInternetal-lowsdiscoveriestobesharedwithothersquicklysothateffortscanbeundertakentohelpothers.Additionally,feedback

canbeobtainedjustasquicklyaboutthesuccessofanydiscovery.AllprogramsintheFMHIRCHResearchDivisionbenefitimmenselyfromadvanc-esintechnology.ProjectFRONTIERparticipantdataisentereddirectlyintoouroveralldatasetwithoutextrastepsthatslowitsanalysis.Desktopstatisticalsoftwaretakesawaytheerrorsinprogramcreationfordataanalysisandcompletestasksinminutesthatusedtotakehourswhichinsteadshouldbeusedforsleep-ing.Electronicjournalsnowallowforrapidsharingofresults.TelemedicineservicesfortheResearchDivision’sTWITRProjectusetheInternettocon-nectstudentwithmentalhealthproblemsinschooltotheTTUHSCDepartmentofPsychiatry.Technologyhasbeenaboontoourwork.

So,asfarasthegoodolddays,let’sre-memberhowfarwe’vecome.

For more information on the Rural Health Research Group, visit www.ttuhsc.edu/ruralhealth/research-group.

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Technology and The Good Old DaysBy: Matthew E. Lambert, Ph.D., Director of Rural Health Research

West Texas AHEC Staff Receive RecognitionWestTexasAHECandtheF.MarieHallInstituteforRuralandCommunityHealthwouldliketocongratulatetwostaffmemberswhohaverecentlyreceivedhonorsandrec-ognitionintheirlocalcommunities.

ChrisFelton,associatedirectorforWestTexasAHEC,wasnamedaTop20Under40awardeebytheLubbockChamberofCommerceandtheYoungProfessionalsofGreaterLubbock.Thisawardismeanttorecognizeyoung

peoplewhoarerisingstarsbothintheirpro-fessionsandincommunityservice.

ErinGregg,ConchoVal-leyprogramcoordinatorforWestTexasAHEC,wasalsonameda201420Under40honoreebytheYoungProfessionalsofSanAngelo.

“IlovelivinginaplacewhereIcanbeinvolvedinthecommunity.”Greggsaid.

Greggisinvolvedwithanumberofcommu-nitycoalitionsinSanAngeloincludingTomGreenCountyCoalitionagainstViolence,ConchoValleyCARESCoalition,Texas

HungerInitiativeSteeringCommittee,YoungProfessionalsofSanAngelo,LeadershipSanAngeloAlumniAssociation,MealsfortheElderly,UnitedWayoftheConchoValley,JuniorLeagueofSanAngelo,DaughtersoftheRepublicandDaughtersoftheAmericanRevolution.

Greggwasalsoannouncedasa2015Ru-ralHealthFellowwiththeNationalRuralHealthAssociation.TheRuralHealthFellowsprogramisayearlong,intensiveprogramaimedatdevelopingleaderswhocanarticu-lateaclearandcompellingvisionforruralAmerica.

CongratulationstobothErinandChris!

Chris Felton

Erin Gregg

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Children’s Advocacy: Child Abuse in TexasBy: Debra Curti, Cole Johnson, and Melanie Teague, Office of Contracting, Reporting and Data Management

FamilyViolence(FV),alsoknownasDo-mesticViolence(DV),isdefinedbytheStateofTexasintheTexasFamilyCodeasanactbyafamilyorhouseholdmemberagainstanotherthatisintendedtoresultinphysicalharmorbodilyinjury,orthereasonablefearthereof.CasesofFVincludechildabuse,whichareactsoromissionsthatendangerorimpairachild’sphysical,mentaloremo-tionalhealthanddevelopment.Childabuseincludesphysicaloremotionalinjury,sexualabuseandexploitation,physicalandmedicalneglect,orthreatsthatputachildinfearofharm.

In2013,theTexasDepartmentofPublicSafetyreported185,453casesofFV.Ofthesecases,16.3%wererelatedtoparent/childrelationships.Additionally,duringfiscalyear2013,theTexasDepartmentofFamilyandProtectiveServicesconfirmed66,398victimsofchildabuseandneglect,withmorethan89%oftheperpetratorsidentifiedasfamilymembersofthesevictims.Childabuseandneglectaffectschildrennowandlaterandcanleadtophysical,psychological,andbehav-ioralconsequences.

Physicalabusecanresultinimmediateef-fectsthatincludebruises,lacerations,brokenbones,andlong-termeffectsthatincludebraindamageandpermanentdisabilities.Studieshaveshownthatabuseexperiencedduringearlychildhood,suchasthatcausedbyshakingababy,mayresultinblindnessorbraininjury,whichmaythenresultinfatality,longtermcognitiveeffects,impairedbraindevelopment,mentalhealthissues,andsleepproblems.Additionally,studieshaveshownthatabusedchildrenareatanincreasedriskofcertainchronicdiseasestoinclude,heartdisease,cancer,obesity,andhighbloodpres-sureamongstotherthings.

Psychologicalfactorsassociatedwithchildabusecanincludelowself-esteem,isolation,fear,depression,andrelationshipdifficulties.Along-termstudyshowedthat80%ofchil-drenthathadbeenabusedmetthediagnosticcriteriaforsomesortofpsychiatricdisorderbytheageof21.Thesechildrenexhibitedsymptomsofdepression,anxiety,eatingdisorders,andsuicideattempts.Additionally,victimsofabusearemorepronetoPostTrau-

maticStressDisorder,ConductDisorder,andlearningproblems.

Inregardstobehavioralconsequences,studieshaveshownthatabusedchildrenhaveanincreasedriskofsmoking,alco-holism,heightenedsexualbehavior,drugabuse,pregnancy,arrest,andlowacademicachievement.Otherstudieshaveshownthatcriminalbehaviorwillincreaseby28%andviolentcrimeby30%inanabusedchild.Additionally,itisestimatedthatone-thirdofabusedchildrenwillabusetheirownchil-dren.AccordingtotheTexasCommissiononChildrenandYouth,abusedchildrenhaveahigherrateofsuicide,are24timesmorelikelytocommitsexualassault,and74timesmorelikelytocommitacrimeagainstanotherperson.

Despitethenegativeconsequencesdiscussedabove,studieshaveshown“protectivefac-tors,”suchastheavailabilityofsupportfromparents,relatives,professionals,andoth-ersappeartomediateorserveasa“buffer”againstthenegativeeffectsofchildabuse.OneavailableresourceinTexasincludestheChildren’sAdvocacyCentersofTexas(CACs),whichwereformedtoaidchildabusevictimsbyusingamulti-disciplinaryapproachbyprovidingforensicservices,therapy,legalassistance,education,andotherservicesforthevictimsandtheirfamilies.However,thereisatremendousunmetneedfortheprovisionofmentalhealthservicesasthereisalackofchildpsychiatristsavailabletoprovidetheseservicestochildvictims.ThisisespeciallyprevalentinWestTexasastheissueisfurthercompoundedbythefactthattheregionincludessuchalargegeo-graphicareawithlittleaccesstopsychiatrists.

InordertohelpcoordinateservicesprovidedbytheCACsandenhanceaccesstomentalhealthservicesforabusedchildren,theF.MarieHallInstituteforRuralandCommuni-tyHealth(Institute)atTexasTechUniversityHealthSciencesCenter(TTUHSC)isintheprocessofcollaboratingwiththeTexasCrim-inalJusticeDivisionattheStateGovernor’sOfficetodevelopapilotprogramthatwillutilizeTelemedicinetechnologytoaddresstheseneeds.ThepilotprogramwillfocusonprovidingtrainingtofiveCACslocatedin

ruralareasofWestTexasregardingtheuseofTelemedicinetoprovidementalhealthservicestochildabusevictimsbeingservedbytheCACs.ThiswillallowtheCACstoreferchildvictimstoTTUHSCforahigherlevelofmentalhealthcareviaTelemedicine,whichwillultimatelybridgethedisparityanddistancetoensurementalhealthservicestothosealreadyvulnerablechildvictims.TheInstitutehasexperiencedsuccessinasimi-larmodelinwhichTelemedicineservicesarebeingprovidedthroughtheTelemedi-cineWellnessInterventionTriage&Refer-ralProject,whichleveragesTelemedicineservicesprovidedbyachildpsychiatristintheTTUHSCDepartmentofPsychiatryandlicensedprofessionalcounselorstoassess,diagnose,andtreatchildrenandadolescentsinregionalschooldistrictswhoaresufferingfrommentalhealthproblems.TheInstituteisconfidentthatthroughthispilotprogramitwillbeabletosuccessfullyutilizeTelemedi-cinetoenhanceTexas’currenttechnologicalcapacitytoreduceoreliminatebarrierstotimely,efficient,andeffectiveservicesforthesechildvictims.

AccordingtotheTexasDepartmentofStateHealthServices,15FamilyViolenceCentersandOrganizationsinTexasarelocatedintheWestTexas108-countyserviceregionoftheTTUHSC.ThereareseveralChildren’sAdvocacyCenters(CACs)inWestTexaswhoservechildrenofabuseandsexualassault.AccordingtoCAC,servicesareprovidedtoanaverageof96%ofthevictimsservicedthroughthecenters.TosearchforaTexasCACinyourarea,gotohttp://www.cactx.org/. |

Intheeverchangingworldofgeneratinginterestinhealthcareersandkeepingstudentsabreastoftheoptions,oneofthestaplesinTexashasbeentheTexasH.O.T.Jobsmateri-als.TheTexasH.O.T.Jobsbookwasfirstpublishedbackin1997andwewillwelcomethe6theditionofthebooksoon.In2008,theTexasH.O.T.JobsplatformwasexpandedtoincludeawebsitecomponentfundedbyagrantfromtheTexasHigherEducationBoard.Thewebsiteprovidesavaluableresourceforstudentsandcurrentlyreceivesover500,000hitspermonth.Studentscanexplorecareerinterestinventories,explorationmodulesandcanviewwhatprofessionshavetosayabouttheircareer.Thewebsite’sreachextendsbeyondjuststudentsastherearesectionsforbotheducatorsandparentstoengagein.Thesesectionsoffermaterialstotheseimportantpopulationstohelpsteerstudentsintoahealthprofession.Thewebsiteprovidesthemostup-to-dateinforma-tiontocareerseekers,butastechnologyevolvesitbecomesnecessaryforthewebsitetoevolveandbeupdated.InthecomingmonthstheAHECstaff,inpartnershipwithotherprofessionalsattheTexasTechUniversityHealthSciencesCenter,willbegantheprocessoflookingatwhatchangestomake.IfyouwouldliketoofferasuggestionorparticipateinhelpingshapethefutureofthistoolpleasecontactChrisFeltonatc.felton@ttuhsc.edu.

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For Upcoming Activites, Visit your Regional AHEC’s Website

Big Country AHEC

Desert Mountain AHEC

Panhandle AHEC

Permian Basin AHEC

AHECofthePlains2417Yonkers;P.O.Box1116Plainview,TX79072806.291.0101www.ahecplains.org

DesertMountainAHEC440ReynoldsElPaso,TX79905915.783.6211www.desertmountainahec.org

BigCountryAHEC3702Loop322Abilene,TX79602325.972.0495www.bigcountryahec.org

PanhandleAHECWTAMUBox61003Canyon,TX79016806.651.3480www.panhandleahec.org

PermianBasinAHEC3600N.GarfieldTechnologyCenter,RM140Midland,TX79705432.685.4794www.permianbasinahec.org

AHEC of the Plains

LikeusonFacebook!https://www.facebook.com/WestTexasAHEC/

Texas H.O.T. JobsBy: Chris Felton, Associate Director, West Texas AHEC

CheckoutourH.O.T.JobswebsiteforhealthcareopportunitiesinTexas:http://www.texashotjobs.org

Visitourwebsitetostayup-to-dateonAHECeventsat:www.westtexasahec.org|

“MynameisKaseySmith.Iam17yearsold,andasenioratNewBraunfelshighschool.AsakidIalreadyknewwhatIwantedtodowithmylife,Iwantedtoworkinhealthcare.Mymom,beinganurseherself,heavilyinfluencedmetogointothenursingfield.Sincethen,I’veworkedtowardthisgoalofbecominganurse.Today,IamthepresidentoftheHealthOccupationsStudentsofAmerica,aclubatmyhighschool.Then,thispastJulyIreceivedmynursingassistantcertification,andamcurrentlyemployedatEdenHillnurs-inghome.IfoundoutaboutAngeloStateUniversitybecausemysisterteachesthere.Shewastheonewhotoldmetheyhadanursingprogram.So,Iinvestigatedonmyown.IfoundthattheyhadtheirownsimulationlabandahighpercentageofstudentspassingtheNCLEX-RNEXAM.Later,

Iwasgiventheopportunitytoactu-allyvisitthenursingsimulationlab.Iwasjustamazedwiththetechnologyandhowlife-likethemannequinswere.That’swhyIchoseAngelo,abeautifulcampusandagreatplacetostartmynursingcareer.IjustgotmyacceptanceletterfromASU.Every-thingI’vedonetoworktowardsthisgoalhaspayedoff.IamsoexcitedtostartcollegeinthefallandbeaRam!”

AHEC Camper Follows Nursing Dream

Above: Kasey Smith, ASU Freshman

3601 4th Street STOP 6232 Lubbock, TX 79430-6232

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

HEALTHBeat

Easy Baked Apple Pie ApplesIngredients:• 6GrannySmithApples• 1/2Teaspoonsgroundcinnamon• 1/4Teaspoonrumextract• 1/4cupgranulatedsugar• 1Tablespoonlightbrownsugar,

packed• 1packagerefrigeratedpiecrust• 1/4cuppecans,chopped• 2Tablespoonsunsaltedbutter,melted• cinnamon-sugar,sprinkledontopof

piecrust

Preparation:• Preheatovento375oF.• Slicethetopsofffourapples.Usinga

largespoonormelonballer,carefullyremoveinnerpartofeachapple.Peeltheskinsfromremainingtwoapplesandslicetheapplesthinlytouseinapplepiefilling.

• Inalargebowl,mixslicedappleswithgranulatedsugar,brownsugar,groundcinnamon,pecans,andrumextracttomaketheapplepiefilling.Fillhol-lowedappleswithpreparedapplepiefilling.

• Usingapizzacutter,slicepiecrustintoevenstrips(about1/4”)andlayinlatticefashionacrossthetopofeachapple.Trimexcesspiecrustaroundtheedgeswithaknife.Brushmeltedbutterontopofpiecrustsandsprin-klepiecrustswithcinnamon-sugar.

• Placeapplesinahighwalledbakingdish.Addabout1/4cupofwatertobottomofdishtojustcoverthebot-tomsoftheapples.Coverwithfoilandbakefor20-25minutes.Removefoilandreturntoovenforanadditional20minutes.Applesaredonewhencrustisgoldenbrownalongedgesandapplesaresofttoslice.

• Servewarmwithvanillaicecreamandenjoy!

Recipe from Delicioulsy Sprinkledhttp://deliciouslysprinkled.com/easy-baked-apple-pie-apples/

F. Marie Hall Institute forRural and Community Health

H 101197 131029 30