On July 24-25, 2018, high school health educators from across the state of Wisconsin gathered at UW-Stevens Point for the second annual Health Science Educators Academy.
Teachers from around the state were challenged to gain a deeper understanding of various health care professions and the knowledge necessary for their students to be prepared for the healthcare workforce. The National Standards for Health Science Education addressed were academic foundations, communications, legal responsibilities, ethics, safety practices, health maintenance practices and information technology.
The two day event started off with Keynote Speaker, Caitlyn Mowatt, a Health Communications Specialist with Wisconsin Health Literacy. She addressed the need for getting back to the basics of teaching how to implement health literacy education in the classroom. She also discussed how to help future healthcare professionals understand the importance of and how to encourage teachers to do their best to help make complex situations more understandable for all.
This conference also addressed the connection between learning and practice. Allowing for training and hands-on activities by UW-Stevens Point Health Science instructors related to current issues of nursing for the Silver Tsunami, medical laboratory services, pursuing careers in health sciences, finding and using reliable sources of information to address nutrition-related questions, and wellness and communication specialists programs.
The participants also had training on emergency medical services: simulation mannequins, EKG’s, intubation and standard precautions that were provided by Stevens Point Mid-State Technical College instructors. Program participants were also able to tour the Stevens Point Fire Department. EMS shared information about “A Day In The Life of a Paramedic” and training on Stop The Bleed procedures.
To conclude the two day event, a panel of public school administrators, Craig Broeren, Superintendent of schools SPASD, Brigitta Altmann Austin, SPASH Association Principal, Eric Siler, WRPS CTE Coordinator, and Shelley Swanson, Amherst HS Counselor shared their viewpoints and fielded questions about the value of health science education, HOSA and support for career technical education.
South Central AHEC staff members shared information on the services AHEC provides around the state of Wisconsin.
Partners/Sponsors
North Central and South Central WI-AHEC and WI-DPI Health Science Education and UW-Stevens Point School of Health Care Professions. NC AHEC- Noelle Kolar, SC- Wendy Hinz, Chris Percy, Shayna Sommers. WI-DPI Health Science consultant Christina Patrin (formerly NC Executive Director until recently).