Shannon Boyer, MBA

The Season of Giving! #DYK: More than 86% of patients on the National Transplant Waiting List need kidneys, which can come from living organ donors. Learn more about living organ donation: Living Organ Donation | organdonor.gov #SeasonOfGiving

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Advocacy in Action! In late 2023, the Health Minds Policy Initiative put forth a report demonstrating how the supply of behavioral health care workers in the state is not enough to meet the demands of Oklahoma’s population. One existing barrier to social worker deployment was that our state’s current licensing law for a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) requires 4,000 supervision hours post-graduation with an MSW prior to practicing independently. Many surrounding states require less than that, and the evidence supports these lower limits. Lowering the number of required supervision hours shortens the time to licensure, post an MSW, and research has shown there is no correlation between jurisdictions with higher supervision hours and a reduction in licensure violations. In response to this need and opportunity, the Anne & Henry Zarrow School of Social Work joined forces with the Healthy Minds Policy Initiative and several members of the Oklahoma Legislative body to advocate for solutions. Dr. McLeod spoke to the both the Legislative Mental Health Caucus and the OK Social Work Licensing Board to advocate for a reduction of these hours and other barriers to deploying social workers into the field. The AHZSSW provided data to help policy leaders make evidence-based decisions on social work policy. As a result, we are happy to announce that progress is being made. On April, House Bill 3015 was passed and subsequently signed by the Governor. This bill lowers the number of supervision hours from 4000 to 3000, thereby shortening the time from MSW graduation to LCSW accessibility. The bill does not go into effect until November of 2024 and the policy would have to be altered to match that, but in due time, the result will be more behavioral health care workers in a shorter length of time to meet the needs of Oklahoma’s citizens. Research Works. Advocacy Works. Social Workers Work!

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Nearly half of all dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by addressing 14 risk factors in childhood – including two new risks: high cholesterol and vision loss. That’s the finding of a new report from The Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention, and care. Professor and Chair of our Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Helen Kales is a co-author of the report and a member of the prestigious commission. An estimated 153 million people will be living with dementia by 2050, according to current projections. This is a significant increase from the 57 million in 2019.     As life expectancies improve, the number of people living with dementia worldwide continues to rise   The 2024 report of the Lancet Commission adds compelling new evidence that untreated vision loss and high LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol are risk factors for dementia. Around 45% of cases of dementia are potentially preventable by addressing 14 modifiable risk factors, the Commission suggests.    Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g-Fc7J6c

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Did you know that 4 out of every 5 pregnancy-related deaths are preventable? In recognition of National Minority Health Month, we are spotlighting Neighborhood Health Center’s obstetrics team, and the attentive approach they take to Black maternal health and patient-centered care. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/giYwVPdf #WelcometoNeighborhood #sdoh #healthequity

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The NHPCO Diversity Advisory Council published research exploring perceptions of hospice care among Hispanic/Latino communities, among others. The ‘Hospice Through the DEI Lens’ report not only highlights key findings but also provides actionable recommendations for providers to enhance understanding and overcome access barriers. Below is one of the findings and its corresponding recommendations. For the full report, visit nhpco.org/HHM2024. Finding: Language can be a significant barrier for non-native English Speakers. More than half (52%) of Hispanic respondents said they would need hospice workers who spoke their loved one’s language in order to feel comfortable.    Suggestions:  ◾ Written materials (both print and digital) should be available in a variety of languages. Even if a patient and/or their loved ones can read English, offering materials in their native language, and in a culturally appropriate way, demonstrates a commitment to honoring their culture.  ◾ Diversity of language is a key component to overall diversity. Hospice organizations should ensure language diversity that mirrors that of their patient population.  ◾ Develop best practices for engaging with interpreters to ensure all communications maintain the qualities of care and compassion.    By addressing these language barriers, we can embody the spirit of “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together,” and work toward a future where high-quality, person-centered care is accessible to all.  

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What can state health departments do to improve legal and policy protections for people with HIV? All people deserve to live their lives free from stigma and structural discrimination, yet HIV criminalization continues to harm people with HIV across the United States, especially in communities of color. State laws and practices should be informed by science, but most HIV criminalization laws fail to meet this standard. Consequently, modernizing HIV-related laws is an essential part of the movement to end the HIV epidemic. Join ChangeLab Solutions’ one-hour webinar Changing Outdated HIV Criminalization Laws on Thursday, May 30, at 1pm Pacific | 4pm Eastern to examine how reforming HIV laws and policies can strengthen public health protections and mitigate unjust effects on people with HIV. Our speakers will highlight state-level efforts to reform laws and policies that criminalize HIV. We’ll also share information about the HIV Criminalization Legal and Policy Assessment Tool, a resource to help public health professionals, state and local policymakers, legal counsel, and community partners assess how HIV-related laws and policies in their jurisdiction may inhibit or advance health equity. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gmYDdwN2 #HIVIsNotACrime #HIVAwareness #HIVPrevention #EndHIVStigma

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Happy American Indian & Alaska Native Heritage Month! Check out this resource from Child Trends that discusses 5 ways to support Native American Maternal & Infant Health. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/gVZRg2fk

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Recognizing cultural differences and personal biases can help clinicians provide more equitable care. Read our webpage on how to practice cultural humility in situations where firearms may pose a risk: https://lnkd.in/guu_Qia6

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At Little Otter, we understand that mental health awareness is just the beginning; true change comes from sustained, collective action. This Mental Health Awareness Month, we are proud to join leaders in youth behavioral health in a year-round commitment to improving youth mental health. This year's #MentalHealthActionDay theme is, 'Dedicate One Hour to Connection,' highlights a powerful yet simple truth: feeling connected, seen, and understood by a trusted adult is crucial for supporting youth mental health. Strong relationships not only enhance youth well-being but also enable early intervention, which is essential for addressing unmet mental health needs before they escalate. We encourage everyone—youth and the caring adults in their lives—to recognize that experiencing mental health challenges is normal and seeking support is not only okay but necessary. Take a moment today to connect with a student, friend, or colleague, and don't forget to check in with yourself as well. Beyond this month and this moment, let's keep the conversation about mental health going all year long. Remember, no one has to face their struggles alone. Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of young people and build a brighter future for all. 💙 Read the full statement: loh.care/MHAD2024 and spread this powerful message within your community. Your action today can truly change a life. #MentalHealthActionDay #YouthWellness #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth Backpack Healthcare BeMe Health Bend Health Brightline Cartwheel Clarity Pediatrics Daybreak Health Equip Hazel Health Little Otter

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With the heat warning upon us, it's important for our seniors to stay safe and cool. We're sharing a valuable resource for heat wave preparedness specifically designed for seniors. Below you can learn tips and strategies to beat the heat and stay comfortable.

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Living Donor Collective publication spotlight | Clinician and patient attitudes toward use of organs from hepatitis C viremic donors and their impact on acceptance: A contemporary review: https://ow.ly/159y50TCm3j #livingdonors #transplant #transplanation

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By studying diverse populations, our researchers are uncovering crucial links between gender, ethnicity, and #Alzheimer’s symptoms. Learn more on how we’re advancing our understanding of cognitive health and laying the groundwork for targeted interventions: https://loom.ly/UrrK3co #ENDALZ #AlzheimersDisease

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Juggling work, children, and caring for aging parents can take a toll on mental health. Here are five strategies to support the mental health of sandwich generation employees: https://ow.ly/xw6j50RAVlJ #MentalHealthMatters

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Thank you for this Gabe Charbonneau, MD! Friends: See below another article telling us what we already now. Physicians and other clinicians in healthcare are not feeling well because they are CONTROLLED in every direction! At least for primary care, autonomy is possible for the people who do the work. We advocate with Primary Care for All Americans to activate neighbors and neighborhoods to take OWNERSHIP of primary care for their neighbors. Community power back groups for primary care are forming in various places in our country. At the Interprofessional Primary Care Institute we believe we should separate high-quality primary care from the federal government and corporations. Primary care should also be released from selecting CPT codes to get paid. We can do this work in our towns and cities by creating #chambersofprimarycare associated with the local #chambersofcommerce. FREE primary care AND FREE primary care for all through the collective action of local #chambersofprimarycare! Scaling high-quality primary care is a work that must be done! https://lnkd.in/gFZ-EEJX It is a work for neighbors and neighborhoods. Primary care is extremely inexpensive if "re-localized (.Dave Chase, Health Rosetta-discovering archaeologist). ALL should receive high-quality primary care FREE at the point of service and regularly! Up-end the US healthcare system with us! Let's do it without delay! We will do it in a lovely way - a neighborly way! #chambersofprimarycare like #chambersofcommerce FREE #neighborhoodprimarycare is the foundation for a #lovinghealthcaresystem

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