Keynote and workshop descriptions

Presenter: Dr. Bernice Patterson, PhD

This keynote will explore the importance of exercising grace towards self and others while also providing practical strategies to achieve these goals. Listeners will be challenged to take an honest look at themselves to determine potential growth areas as it relates to embracing a grace-based mindset in both their personal and professional lives.

Presenters: Michigan Community Health Worker Alliance (MiCHWA) Staff

Join Executive Director of MiCHWA, Kareem Baig and staff, for an overview of MiCHWA, ongoing projects and strategic priorities for the next year. Topics include CHW registry, Medicaid registry, CHW certification class, and workgroup updates conversations.

Presenters: Miguel Velasco & Lesly Sis-Reyes

Health Net of West Michigan will share the findings of the initial round of focus parent groups and feedback interviews designed to provide system level feedback for early childhood service providers. In addition, we will examine the roles and value that Community Health Workers (CHWs) contribute initiative and how they utilize their expertise to drive progress.

Presenters: Gladys Picó-Gleason

This workshop will highlight how More Life Más Vida CHWs have been instrumental in bringing free breast, colon, and coming soon, cervical cancer screenings to community members who have multiple barriers to early cancer detection. We will highlight the unique role CHWs play in the multidisciplinary, cross-departmental team that works together to plan and deliver these services. By being deeply embedded and in tune with community needs and resources and having established relationships with program participants and community partners, they are essential to the work that is done to bring cancer screenings to the neighborhoods in greatest need. We will explore how having CHWs that are part of the communities we serve is key to the success of these efforts. Lastly, we will highlight the opportunities to grow the initiative and for other organizations to replicate the model.

Presenter: Fridah Kanini

In this workshop A Glimpse of Africa founder, Fridah Kanini will delve into the transformative journey of A Glimpse of Africa (AGOA) and its comprehensive wellness programs tailored to the unique needs of African immigrant and refugee communities in West Michigan. This workshop will provide a detailed overview of AGOA's program history, the challenges faced, the successes achieved, and the valuable learnings gained along the way. This workshop is designed for those interested in understanding the complexities and successes of working with African immigrant and refugee populations. Participants will leave with practical knowledge and actionable insights that can be applied to their own programs and initiatives.

Presenter: Laurie Fitzpatrick

The Center for Disease Control’s (CDC’s) Campaign seeks to raise awareness of urgent maternal warning signs during and after pregnancy and improve communication between patients and their healthcare providers.

The objectives of this workshop is to:

• Increase awareness of serious pregnancy-related complications and their warning signs.
• Empower people who are pregnant and postpartum to speak up and raise concerns.
• Encourage support systems to engage in important conversations.
• Provide tools for pregnant and postpartum people and healthcare professionals to better engage in life-saving conversations.
  

Presenter: Dr. Shontreal M. Cooper

Black women experience physical “weathering,” meaning their bodies age faster than white women’s due to exposure to chronic stress linked to socioeconomic disadvantage and discrimination over the life course. This workshop discusses models that optimize care plans to improve maternal and child health outcomes. The goal of this workshop is to discuss ways to support Community Health Workers and patients by closing the gap in maternal health outcomes for pregnant women of color.

Presenters: Kristy Handley & Peggy Geisler

The Sussex County Health Coalition (SCHC) is steadily advancing its commendable endeavor to enhance equity in healthcare by empowering Community Health Workers (CHWs) through training and upskilling in rural Sussex and Kent counties, Delaware. Come alongside SCHC as they share their journey towards fostering a workforce that is both inclusive and resilient, tackling the social determinants of health for marginalized citizens facing complex co-morbidities in Delaware's rural regions.

Presenter: Erik Fermin

This interactive workshop will introduce 4 Keys to protecting your energy and live into your purpose as a person in a helping profession. You will be able to connect with others and share ideas and practices on how to make these Keys real for you as you support those you care for in the community, in your organization, and in your personal life.