UH Manoa rural health training program celebrates 10th anniversary

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Contact:
Jan Shoultz, (808) 220-2894
Jean McAuliffe, (808) 352-6641
Posted: Aug 20, 2009

WHAT:           Students from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene who are participating in the Hawai‘i Quentin Burdick Rural Health Interdisciplinary Training Program will present overviews of their experiences this summer in six rural neighbor island communities. The event will also celebrate the program’s 10th anniversary in Hawaiʻi.

 

WHEN:           Saturday, August 22, 2009

                        10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

 

WHERE:        Spalding Hall Auditorium (located between Hamilton Library and the Queen Lili‘uokalani

                       Center for Student Services on Maile Way)

                        University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa campus           

 

PROGRAM: 

10:00 a.m.        Welcome and introductions

                                10:30               Honoka‘a Student Team

10:45               Pāhoa Student Team

11:00               Moloka‘i Student Team

11:15               Lāna‘i Student Team

11:30               Waimea Student Team

11:45               Hanalei Student Team

12 – 1:30 p.m.  Review team posters, enjoy pupus and talk story with students

 

  

 Media coverage is invited and encouraged.

 

 

 

BACKGROUND:

The Hawai‘i Quentin Burdick Rural Health Interdisciplinary Training Program will celebrate its 10th year in Hawai‘i with annual student presentations on August 22, 2009. Sponsored by the UH Mānoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene, the program was funded by the Hawai‘i State Legislature and sponsored by the UH Mānoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene from 2006-09. From 2000-06, the program was funded by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (grant #D36HP16002).  The program has not been able to secure additional state funding, however, the search continues for alternate sources. 

The program provides an opportunity for students to participate in an interdisciplinary rural health practicum from UH Mānoa schools of Medicine, Social Work, Nursing and Dental Hygiene, Education; departments of Psychology, Public Health, Speech Communication; divisions of Medical Technology and Speech-Language Audiology; as well as the UH-Hilo College of Pharmacy.

Primary purpose of the program is to partner with rural underserved communities, health organizations and educational institutions to enhance the health of rural communities by identifying relevant health issues.  

During the spring semester, students visit a rural health setting and participate in seminars that focus on a variety of topics, such as interdisciplinary team dynamics and rural health issues. This prepares them for a six-week summer practicum at sites located in six rural communities on the Big Island, Kaua‘i, Lanā‘i and Moloka‘i. The students and community members collaborate to design and carry out programs that enhance community health.

Since 2000, 59 teams comprised of a total 187 students from 11 disciplines have participated. Results from the annual alumni survey of September 2008 include the following: Of the alumni who have graduated, 13 work on the neighbor islands (6 on the Island of Hawai‘i , 4 on Maui, 2 on Moloka‘i and 1 on Kaua‘i) and 10 work on O‘ahu (3 in rural areas and 7 with underserved and/or at-risk populations).

The program and participating students benefited from generous contributions from the Hamakua Health Center, Na Pu‘uwai Native Hawaiian Health Care System, Lāna‘i Community Health Center, Ke‘Ānuenue AHEC, Hale Halawai ‘ʻohana O‘Hanalei, Bay Clinic/Pāhoa Family Health Center, and Nana’s House, participating schools, departments and divisions of UH Manōa and many other community members and organizations.

            For more information, please contact program director Jan Shoultz at (808) 220-2894.