City to host free health equity event Aug 12th and 13th; registration required
The city of Lexington’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Patricia Smyre, PhD, explained that health equity provides “a critical component of normalizing race and equity conversations. Closing gaps and building bridges to assist in individuals getting the resource needed is at the heart of this first annual conference.”
With the theme of My Health Matters, the free two-day conference includes educational opportunities for health care professionals, individuals and families on August 12th and 13th. The conference, located at Lexington Senior High School, is open to individuals who live in the city, county and region. Smyre noted the conference is designed to be family-friendly, and everyone who attends will benefit from coming. Smyre said, “No one is exempt from facing a health crisis that can deplete your life savings, disrupt your quality of life and devastate your life as you know it.”
The conference will showcase approximately 20 vendors and will include a library bookmobile, food trucks, medical buses, a mammogram bus and Davidson-Davie Community College enrollment bus. For those seeking a mammogram but are uninsured, the city has secured grant funding to cover the expense. Participants must register by July 21 for this service by contacting Kim Hughes at 336-476-2500. Appointments are required for mammogram services.
To register for the conference or learn more, visit https://www.lexingtonnc.gov/city-services/administration/diversity-equity-inclusion/health-equity-conference
From the City of Lexington:
The conference sessions on Day 1 will consist of two learning tracks – System and Individual. Registration for this event includes lunch, keynote speaker, and the choice between any of the sessions in either of the tracks. Please register by clicking the link "Day 1 Registration" above.
Friday, August 12- Schedule of events
11-11:30am- Registration
11:30- Lunch
12pm- Keynote Speaker - Angela Bryant (Assistant Secretary for Equity & Inclusion, NCDHHS)
1pm- Session 1: System: Your Choice of Re-Mix NOT Repeat OR Individual: Rules Before Take-Off – Self Care
2pm- Session 2: System: Sharing is Caring OR Individual: Making Lemonade
3pm- Session 3: System: Health Equity = Win-Win OR Individual: Next Level of Normal–Growth Mindset
4pm- Closing remarks and giveaways
System Track
Topic: Re-Mix NOT Repeat, Dr. Tanya Gwathmey (Wake Forest - Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity)
This topic will discuss the value of understanding the past historical systemic barriers that were woven into the fabric of the health care system. Understanding the past and how these barriers interfered with progress and change allows health care providers to improve constantly. Health disparities have been a part of history but do not have to be an active agent of the future.
Topic: Sharing is Caring, Dr. Buddy Marterre (Wake Forest University School of Medicine)
This topic focuses on learning how to engage people in decision-making by using a common language for a more straightforward translation. Taking extra steps to ensure throughout the sharing process of the patient information, the patient communicates their desires and understanding of their potential outcomes. This session aims to normalize the conversation and incorporate compassion, empathy, and attention throughout the entire caregiving process for the patient.
Topic: Health Equity = Win-Win,Dr. Brenda Latham Sadler (Wake Forest University School of Medicine)
This session aims to demonstrate the importance of providing Equity throughout delivering care. Appreciating individuality and affirming personalized health care allows all resources to operate from a Best Practice position. The aim is to help people value primary caregivers, specialty practitioners, trauma / intensive care units, and other resources that help provide the proper care for individuals and reduce costs holistically.
Individual Track
Topic: Rules Before Take-Off – Self Care, Cole Warner (Hospice Davidson County)
This topic focuses on the value of taking time to be aware of one’s personal mental, emotional, and physical well-being and state of mind. This workshop will help to begin unpacking the past two years in health care as a provider or caregiver. The goal is to understand the value of putting your mask on first before assisting others.
Topic: Making Lemonade, Ms. Laura Lee-Jones, MDiv. (Novant Health)
This session will help individuals reconcile the trauma, disappointments, and grief that caregivers have experienced. The goal is to help promote acceptance and coming to terms with the reality of circumstances that were beyond one’s control. Finally, learn how to move forward with a renewed resilience and passion for life, family, friends, and the health care field.
Topic: Next Level of Normal–Growth Mindset, Dr. Meryl Snow (Davidson Medical Ministries)
This session will help individuals focus on the positive growth learned through the current events. Building better, more sustainable, and ethical services to meet the needs of all people. This session brings awareness to the actual brokenness of the health care system while teaching individuals the importance of maintaining a growth mindset when confronting difficult situations.
*Continuing Education Credits will be available.*
