Concurrent Breakout Session A (Tues, April 2, 1:15 - 2:15 pm)

A1: Up Close with Dr. Dean Schillinger
Dean Schillinger, MD, University of California and San Francisco General Hospital

See Special Sessions for a more detailed description.

A2: Health Literacy Starter Kit:  Basic Information and Resources for the Newcomer
Paul D. Smith, MD, Medical Advisor, Wisconsin Health Literacy, and Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Family Medicine and Community Health

Whether you're new to the field, want to brush up on the latest information and resources or just ask a few questions, this session is for you.  Dr. Smith will start with a review of basic concepts for literacy and health literacy as they relate to health and healthcare including suggestions for learning more about health literacy and review a variety of easily available useful resources.  With plenty of time for questions, this session is a great way to kick off the conference.

A3: Roundtable Networking with Literacy Agencies
Bud (Allen) Bartel, RN, Marinette Oconto Counties Literacy Council Board Member;
Chuck Bornhoeft, Literacy Volunteers - Marquette County Board Member;
Kari LaScala, Associate Director, Wisconsin Health Literacy (Hosting Health Literacy Workshops)

Heather Hepler Surrency, MPH, Health and Financial Literacy Coordinator, Florida Literacy Coalition (Health Literacy Curriculum)

Noelle Braun, Executive Director, Casa Guadalupe Education Center;
Laura Salcido, Bilingual Health Navigator, Casa Guadalupe Education Center (Health and Wellness Programs for Students)

Savitri J. Tsering, MSSW, Refugee Health Coordinator, Community and Healthcare Infection Prevention (CHIP) Unit, Division of Public Health;
Tomi Vandergriff, Health Liaison, International Institute of Wisconsin (Health Literacy, Refugees, and Community Health Workers)

This session provides the opportunity for literacy agencies and community partners to talk about current health literacy initiatives, challenges, successes and future possibilities. Participants will choose three back-to-back 20-minute discussions.  Each discussion will have a facilitator, and will be targeted and interactive. Topics include:

• Hosting Health Literacy Workshops 
• Health Literacy Curriculum 
• Health and Wellness Programs for Students
• Health Literacy, Refugees, and Community Health Workers

A4: Infusing Health Literacy into Program Design

Diana Gonzalez, MPH, CHES, Health Education Specialist, Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA);
Olga Molina, Peer Health Promoter, Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA)

During this interactive workshop, participants will walk through the process of incorporating health literacy best practices into program design.  The CARE program will be used as a model to describe how our team implemented a communitywide promotora program that uses best practices such as a communitywide needs assessment and incorporating teach-back into curriculum design.  Participants who attend this session will hear how a promotora engages the senior population and will walk away with practical tips that can be implemented into their current programs.
 

A5: Practical Skills for Health Professionals to Communicate Clearly with Non-native English Speakers
Sara Finesilver, M.S.Ed, English as a Second Language Faculty, Madison College;
Ryan Roling, MA, English as a Second Language Faculty, Madison College 

This presentation explores how to best empower non-native English speakers (NNES) by building rapport, awareness of communication strategies, and comprehension checks. Through engaging activities, participants will gain a broader and deeper understanding of the NNES experience in a health care setting, while raising awareness of their perspectives. Participants will hear firsthand accounts (via video) from local NNES regarding their challenges in healthcare settings. These testimonials will describe ways NNES are building communication skills to better navigate the US system of healthcare, as well as give advice to medical professionals on how practitioners can help bridge the communication gap. Participants will add to their "toolkit of strategies" to enhance their interactions with NNES as they journey together on the road toward complete health literacy.