In this issue
A Note from Our Executive Director, Sarah
Hello from Suwannee River AHEC! It’s been awhile since our last newsletter, things have been ever so busy here at our office. We have changed up our newsletter to feature our programs but also want to feature the great group of people working here at SRAHEC. Take a look around at the program announcements but also our staff spotlight and anniversaries. We have several programs and partnership opportunities in the works! We look forward to this upcoming spring and thank you for your continued support.
Your Friends at SRAHEC
We enjoyed celebrating the Holidays with friends and spreading cheer with the High Springs Police and Fire Departments “Operation Holiday Cheer” . The departments found families within our community for us to sponsor for Christmas. We had fun shopping for necessities such as clothes, shoes, pajamas, and even fun toys for a family of 4. We look forward to giving back again this year.
Marion County World’s Greatest Baby Shower
On January 23rd, we attended the annual WGBS event held at Marion County Sheriff’s Office. This event provided education on health and safety to expectant and new parents and to promote prenatal and infant healthcare. Each participant answered questions on different health topics throughout the event. We shared information on third-hand smoke and tobacco cessation tools.
Staff Anniversaries
Lauren Pierson, Tobacco Program Manager, is celebrating her 5 year Anniversary in April! Lynda Lou Simmons, one of our administrative support staff is celebrating her 7 year anniversary in April as well! Lastly, Nancy Baumann, another administrative support staff, is celebrating her 3 year anniversary in May!
Lauren Pierson, Tobacco Program Manager, is celebrating her 5 year Anniversary in April! Lynda Lou Simmons, one of our administrative support staff is celebrating her 7 year anniversary in April as well! Lastly, Nancy Baumann, another administrative support staff, is celebrating her 3 year anniversary in May!Employee Spotlight
Brooke Frye, BS, TTS 
How long have you worked at SRAHEC? I began with SRAHEC in August of 2018 as an intern with the College of Health & Human Performance Health Education Program at UF. In November of 2018, I was hired on as a full-time employee.
What do you here at SRAHEC? My official title is health educator and systems change specialist but I wear a few different hats here. Part of my time is on our tobacco cessation team as a tobacco treatment specialist and I assist in implementing systems change strategies within healthcare professional facilities. The other portion of my time is managing an oral health grant with the Florida Department of Health Office of Minority Health and Equity. I also help coordinate trainings with a statewide opioid project.
Can you tell me a little about yourself? I am a proud graduate of the University of Florida, Go Gators!! It took me many years to complete my degree part time and I graduated with my Bachelor's in Health Education at 39 years old. It was worth every late night and weekend spent doing school work. I am a wife and mother of a teenage boy, never a dull moment with those two! I really enjoy running and exercising at the gym, it is a great help with stress and energy. Another passion of mine is photography, it is the best way to capture nature and the beauty it holds. My secret super power is as a licensed massage therapist, a rewarding way to help others.
What is your favorite part of your job/What has been the most rewarding part of your work so far? There are many great things about working at SRAHEC. I love that each day brings variety and that I have met so many fantastic people, not only the awesome folks that I work with but people in the community that are doing great things. People in the public health and healthcare fields need to be thanked for the work they do to help others. I feel lucky to be part of a team that has a positive outlook and such a passion for overall health of everyone we serve. The best reward is seeing the difference we can make in the lives of others. “One kind word can change someone’s entire day”, always be kind!
In this issue
Meeting & Association Services
Pediatric Pulmonary Training
March 13, 2020 | Gainesville, FL
The University of Florida Pediatric Pulmonary Training Program team presents "Updates in Pediatric Pulmonary Care", Friday, March 13, 2020, at the Aloft Hotel, Gainesville, FL from 8am - 12:30 pm.
The Agenda includes:
- Mandatory Licensure Training on Human Trafficking presented by Stacia Hays DNP, APRN
- Vaping presented by Dr. Barry Hummel
- Nutrition for Keeping Kids Healthy, a case based approach presented by Ellen Bowser MS, RDN
This program will be offered in-person and via live stream!
Save the Date
11th Annual Child Abuse and Neglect Academy
March 18, 2020
Jacksonville, FL
26th Annual Rural Health Education Summit
March 30-31, 2020 | Gainesville, FL
Florida Rural Health Association’s 26th Annual Rural Health Educational Summit & Everything RHC Workshop
We invite you to join FRHA in Gainesville, FL for the 26th Annual Rural Health Educational Summit, an opportunity to keep alive rural health voices in Florida.
First Coast Neonatal Symposium
April 29-30 2020 | St. Augustine, FL
The First Coast Neonatal Symposium is designed to provide affordable continuing education specifically for those individuals working in neonatal intensive care units and newborn nurseries. The target audience includes: Nurses, PAs, APRNs, Respiratory Therapists, Dietitians/Nutritionists, Lactation Specialists, and other health care professionals who support quality neonatal care.
First There First Care Conference & Gathering of Eagles
June 8-12, 2020 | Hollywood, FL
The Fire Chiefs’ Association of Broward County, Florida and the Broward Regional EMS Council welcome you to the First There First Care – Gathering of Eagles EMS Conference. This is South Florida’s premier EMS conference reaching emergency medical technicians, paramedics, nurses, physicians, and other healthcare professionals from South Florida and beyond!
Suwannee River AHEC offers a wide range of online courses available to allied health professionals. Full details about courses, registration and pricing can be found on our Distance Learning Page.
Below you will find a few of the online courses offered by Suwannee River AHEC.
From the blog...
Tobacco Use Among the LGBTQ+ Community
Tobacco usage is responsible for over 450,000 deaths in the United States each year. With cigarette smoking being the leading [...]
World No Tobacco Day
In 1988, the World Health Organization (WHO) established World No-Tobacco Day (WNTD) as a way to inform folk of the [...]
National Women’s Health Week
Got your daily exercise yet? Are you making healthier food options? How about getting enough sleep? Well it’s not too [...]
In this issue
Healthy Community Update
Tobacco
Smoking Cessation: A Report of the Surgeon General
What You Need To Know About Quitting Smoking
The Surgeon General's report stated "Fewer than one in three adults who smoke use cessation medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or behavioral counseling when trying to quit."
Save the Date
12th Annual Rural Tobacco Summit
05/21/2020
This free program is designed to provide you with up-to-date information on best practices in tobacco cessation for health professionals such as physicians, physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and health educators.
Tooth Wisdom
We are in quarter 3 of our second year with the Closing the Gap Tooth Wisdom: Get Smart About Your Mouth grant from FDOH’s Office of Minority Health and Health Equity. We currently serve: Alachua, Bradford, Lafayette, Putnam, Suwannee and Union as part of our outreach. We have attended 15 educational sessions and provided oral health education to minorities who are enrolled in the Women, Infant and Children program in 4 counties. We have also successfully completed 4 Tooth Wisdom workshops at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Palatka, African Baptist Church in Live Oak, Hathcock Community Center in Alachua and Barry Manor Apartments in Palatka, with a total of 46 participants. If you know any organization in the 6 counties listed that would like to receive our oral health presentation for adults 55 and older, please contact Brooke Frye at: [email protected] or 386-462-1551 ext. 106.
Florida AHEC Scholars Program
Our 32 Scholar students at Suwannee River AHEC have been working hard to complete their online didactic work and have completed approximately 230 experiential hours in the community so far. For example, some Scholar students have had the opportunity to work with Mebane Middle School and present on their different health careers to help educate and inspire middle school students. Please click on the following link to learn more about the Florida AHEC Scholars: https://www.flahecnetwork.org/featured-scholars-1. Scholar students will continue to be notified on more experiential opportunities as the year goes on. If you know of any opportunities that may be beneficial and of value to the Scholar students, please contact Bianca Flowers at [email protected].
From the Blog...
Your Vaccine Recommendation Protects Patient Health
Patients trust you to give them the best counsel on how to protect their health. You know that immunization is [...]
Vaccine Myths Busted
August is National Immunization Awareness Month! Immunizations are extremely important. They prevent disease ,reduce hospitalization, on top of many other [...]
We Need Nurses to Protect Children with Immunization
Parents consider healthcare professionals one of the most trusted sources for answering questions and addressing concerns about their child’s health. [...]