Update from the CEO

The month of March brings springtime to Colorado which means some much needed snow. Springtime also signifies a sense of renewal, growth and opportunities for education. And with the healthcare pendulum continually swinging, our communities need to unite their knowledge for the benefit of those served through the safety-net.


This is the 13th year the Forum has been offered by CRHC and the fourth year that ClinicNET has co-hosted. The Forum offers a forward-looking and relevant agenda designed to engage participants in discussions and inspire attendees to continue and improve the excellent healthcare services they provide in their communities. Below are the top 13 reasons to attend the 2013 Forum:

13. Dr. Winston Wong, the Medical Director of Community Benefit, for Kaiser Permanente will discuss his views on the direction for healthcare systems in our country.

12. Federal and state policy issues will be presented by speakers from the National Association of Rural Health Clinics, RT Welter & Associates, CRHC, ClinicNET, the Center for Improving Value in Health Care, and the Department of Healthcare Policy and Financing.

11. Exciting prizes from our exhibitors and brought to you by CRHC will be given to many lucky attendees.

10. Sessions including information on how to improve your emergency preparedness solutions through interoperable communication and inclement weather solutions.

9. Learn how and when to increase your funding through grant writing.

8. Become knowledgeable about how leaders across the globe are solving healthcare workforce issues and participate in a conversation about national and local efforts.

7. Be able to identify new payer procedures including contracting, billing, value based payment, and navigating the benefit exchange.

6. Participate in the activities dispersed throughout the agenda designed to increase your peer network and introduce you to new innovations.

5. Find out the latest with electronic medical records and Meaningful Use, Stage II. Assure that your organization is prepared for 2013 and the future.

4. Identify how culture plays into the success of your organization including workflow and general operations. Learn how culture change can improve the efficiency of your operations, workforce, and the overall effort of healthcare requirements.

3. Obtain a summation of the ICD-10 roll out and be able to avoid potential potholes.

2. Review innovative strategies attacking some of our most serious healthcare issues including diabetes, clinic case studies and patient navigation.

1. Finally, learn how Prowers county used the government requirements of the community health needs assessment to join the hospital, FQHC, public health department and behavioral health facility as an opportunity to invite their community into a conversation about health outcomes and to create a united plan to improve the health of their residents using the expertise of each organization. Use the opportunity to develop collaborative ideas for your own community.

Click here for further details. For event updates, follow our events blog. We invite your organization to be a sponsor or exhibitor at this year’s conference. Click here for further details or to access a registration form.

Headlines from CRHC

• New Faces at Colorado Rural Health Center -
• The Colorado Health Foundation continues grant to support Colorado Health Service Corps -
• Community partners donate to CRHC’s fitness challenge -
• Kaiser Permanente this year's GOLD SPONSOR at the 2013 Forum! -

New Faces at CRHC

Caleb Siem
Critical Access Hospital Program Manager
Caleb grew up in Platteville Colorado and went to the University of Northern Colorado for his undergrad where he received his B.A. in Philosophy with an emphasis in ethics and public policy, and minored in political science. Caleb just finished his Master’s degree in Humanities at the University of Colorado Denver where he focused on philosophy and bioethics.






Amanda Emerson , Program Assistant
Amanda provides support to the Outreach Department as the program assistant. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Earth Science and International Studies from Northern Michigan University, and has experience working with rural communities around the world addressing environmental concerns.
           

 

Samantha Hiner, Program Assistant

Samantha provides support to the Programs Department as the program assistant. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish and Communication from Berry College, and has experience with event coordination and program development.

         

 

 

 

We would also like to introduce Lakesha Jones, who recently joined CRHC as the Grants Manager.  

 

 

The Colorado Health Foundation continues grant to support Colorado Health Service Corps

The Colorado Rural Health Center would like to thank the Colorado Health Foundation for its continued support of the Colorado Health Service Corps and our participation in the loan repayment process. Colorado Health Service Corps is a state, federal, and private partnership that seeks to improve access to healthcare professionals in underserved Colorado communities by repaying the educational loans of providers who agree to practice in areas with a health professional shortage. The Foundation is a longtime supporter to the Colorado Rural Health Center and we value their partnership in addressing the healthcare needs of rural Colorado.

Community partners donate to CRHC’s fitness challenge.

The 2013, CRHC winter fitness challenge has come to an end. The challenge consisted of CRHC staff getting active, eating right and becoming more health conscious. Points were assigned to various physical activities and healthy living habits over a six week period. Activities included running, skiing, stair climbing, drinking 64 ounces of water and eating the suggested daily amount of fruits and vegetables. At the end of the six week period we celebrated with a healthy potluck and recognition of those who participated. Everyone who participated received a prize which was donated from various Colorado community members. The Wellness Committee would like to thank all of our generous donors that helped keep everyone motivated throughout the six week challenge! Our donors included Simply Magical Massage, History Colorado, Denver Botanical Gardens, Landmark Theaters, Whole Foods, Arthur Murray Dance Studio, Royal Gorge, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Denver Art Museum and Denver Zoo! We appreciate the support from our community and the active staff that participated!

Kaiser Permanente

Resources & Information You Need to Know

• Getting the Word Out About the Affordable Care Act -
• Colorado Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Spring Cycle is Closing in 2 Weeks -
• Federal Register Notice Has Rural Implications -
• Study: Computerized Provider Order Entry Reduces Medication Errors in Hospitals -
• New Resources: New AHRQ Database Offers Patient Safety Education and Training Resources -
• Rural Health Care Program Resources -

Getting the Word Out About the Affordable Care Act: Arizona SORH Delivers Quick and Easy Info in ACA Brochure

As the Affordable Care Act (ACA) moves from law to reality, State Offices of Rural Health (SORHs) are finding ways to make sure that their residents are informed about all the changes and opportunities that the ACA provides.

The Arizona SORH is working to distribute an easy-to-understand brochure that discusses 12 key measures of the ACA, intended for a rural audience. The brochure is available in both in online and paper formats.

“All the other stuff we were seeing on the ACA is so complicated,” said Joyce Hospodar, Health Systems Development Manager at the AZ SORH. “We’re trying to get it down to the local level. As people become more aware of the ACA, we’ll be able to increase their participation in what they’re eligible for, so more people will be getting insurance and be involved with the benefits of the ACA.”

The brochure was a response to a Kellogg Foundation initiative called Rural People, Rural Policy and was developed by the Southwest Rural Policy Network (SWRPN)’s Health Action Team, according to Hospodar. Using money from that initiative, the AZ SORH was able to make printed copies of the brochure to distribute in the state; so far it has been distributed to 26 organizations there, including all the AHECs.

By popular demand the brochure is being translated into Spanish, and public service announcements are being written from it in both English and Spanish, which will be targeted for national distribution.

Funding for development of the brochure came from the Kellogg Initiative. Despite the up-front costs of web development and printing, Hospodar said, she thinks it will be a good investment. “So many organizations are working to get the word out about the ACA that there’s lots of duplication. We’re trying to streamline it. The brochure can be used to answer questions that patients—and citizens—have about the ACA quickly and easily.”

Hospodar said that both the online and print brochure versions can be modified and used by other State Offices of Rural Health (SORHs), but it will require some funding for the modifications. New Mexico is also offering a version of the brochure, tailored for their use, with their particular contact info. To access the Arizona and New Mexico ACA brochures, visit the SWRPN Affordable Care Act page. SORHs that are interested in adapting the brochure for their use can contact Hospodar for more information, at hospodar@email.arizona.edu or 520-626-2432.

Colorado Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Spring Cycle is Closing in 2 Weeks!

Do you have a healthcare provider at your facility who is interested in loan repayment? Let them know that the Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) Loan Repayment Program Spring 2013 application cycle is now open. The application cycle is open for one month, closing on March 31st, 2013. CHSC provides loan repayment to fully trained primary care providers in exchange for a three-year full-time service obligation in an underserved community. After completing their initial years of service, loan repayors may apply for additional years of support! Eligible providers include primary care Family Physicians, Internists, OB/GYNs, Pediatricians, Dentists, Psychiatrists, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Certified Nurse Midwives, Dental Hygienists and licensed mental health professionals.

To find out more about the CHSC Loan Repayment Program, please visit http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/pp/primarycare/chsc/.

Would you like to speak with someone to find out if your facility is eligible for loan repayment? Contact Colorado Provider Recruitment (CPR) at cpr@coruralhealth.org or (303) 832-7493.

Federal Register Notice Has Rural Implications

A February 7, 2013, Federal Register Notice has rural health implications. The FR Notice, Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Part II—Regulatory Provisions To Promote Program Efficiency, Transparency, and Burden Reduction, includes two major provisions on Critical Access Hospitals. One proposal is to change the requirement that a physician be on-site for RHCs, CAHs and FQHCs (availability could be by radio or telephone). Another is to drop the requirement that CAHs develop patient care policies with the advice of at least one non-staff member. This is a rare opportunity to comment on a CMS proposal. Comments on this Notice are due by due April 8th at 5pm EST.

Study: Computerized Provider Order Entry Reduces Medication Errors in Hospitals

Processing a prescription through an electronic ordering system can reduce the likelihood of a drug error by half and potentially avoid more than 17 million such incidents in U.S. hospitals in one year alone, according to a new study supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The authors evaluated published evidence on the impact of computerized provider order entry (CPOE) on hospital drug errors and combined this information with data on the adoption of CPOE and the volume of medication orders processed annually. The results estimated the reduction in drug errors for one year, finding that widespread adoption of CPOE could substantially reduce drug errors.

“Reduction in medication errors in hospitals due to adoption of computerized provider order entry systems” appears online in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association. To access the abstract, select: http://jamia.bmj.com/content/early/2013/01/27/amiajnl-2012-001241.full.

New Resources: New AHRQ Database Offers Patient Safety Education and Training Resources

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has released a new Patient Safety Education and Training Catalog consisting of 333 patient safety programs currently available in the United States (as of Nov. 2011). The catalog offers an easily navigable database of patient safety education and training programs consisting of a robust collection of information each tagged for easy searching and browsing. The new database identifies a number of characteristics of the programs, including clinical area, program and learning objectives, evaluation measures, and cost. The clinical areas in the database align with the PSNet Collections. Developed by the American Institutes for Research (AIR) from Internet searches in 2010 and 2011, the catalog captures a snapshot of available programs at the time.

Rural Health Care Program Funding Year 2013 Window Opens 9:00 AM EDT April 8, 2013

Eligible health care providers (HCPs) may begin the Rural Health Care (RHC) Program application process for Funding Year (FY) 2013 by filing FCC Form 465, Description of Services Requested and Certification Form, beginning on Monday, April 8, 2013, at 9:00 AM EDT. FY2013 is from July 1, 2013, to June 30, 2014.

• Application Process Overview
• Step-by-Step Guide for HCPs
• New to the RHC Program? Getting Started
• Log in using My Portal
• Help with My Portal, RHC's online application management system

New in 2014: The Healthcare Connect Fund

HCPs will be able to choose between two programs based on which best suits their needs: The Telecommunications Program (formerly known as the RHC Primary Program) and the Healthcare Connect Fund (HCF). To learn more about the HCF, subscribe to the HCF Bulletin – a new, bi-weekly email publication that will provide everything you need to know about the HCF. To sign up, visit the Subscription Center and select "RHC Healthcare Connect Fund (HCF) Bulletin."

A Word from our Classic Sponsor: Colorado Access

With over 400,000 members, Colorado Access has been emerging as Colorado’s leading public health insurance plan since 1994. As a nonprofit health plan, the company has been serving Coloradans who have healthcare coverage under Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), Medicaid Behavioral and Physical Health programs, or Medicare Advantage. Colorado Access was founded by Children’s Hospital Colorado, Colorado Community Managed Care Network, and University of Colorado Hospital/University Physicians, Inc. It currently operates the following four (4) lines of business:

• CHP+ offered by Colorado Access is a health plan option for children eligible for CHP+. With CHP+ offered by Colorado Access, children can have access to 6,700 providers and get benefits like, preventive care (well-child exams and immunizations), inpatient care, vision services and more. Colorado Access is a Certified Application Assistance and Presumptive Eligibility Site. They help people apply for Medicaid and CHP+.
• Access Advantage is a health plan option for people who have Medicare Parts A & B and for people who have both Medicare and Medicaid. The Access Advantage plans include:
• Summit Plan - a Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (SNP). It is for people who are enrolled in Medicaid and Medicare Parts A & B.
• Peak Plan - a low-premium Medicare Advantage HMO that includes a Prescription Drug Plan.
• Access Behavioral Care is the Behavioral Health Organization serving Denver County. The plan ensures that Medicaid members in Denver County have access to behavioral health services.
• Three Regional Care Collaborative Organizations (RCCOs) are operated under Colorado Access. The RCCOs serve the Northeast area (Region 2), East Metro area (Region 3), and Denver area (Region 5) of Colorado. Each RCCO provides Medicaid members access to a Primary Care Medical Provider (PCMP) or Medical Home as well as care management services.

CHP+ State Managed Care Network is also administered by Colorado Access. As administrator, Colorado Access provides claim payment services, provider service and contract administration, and utilization management for members of the statewide CHP+ State Managed Care Network and CHP+ Prenatal Care Program.

Colorado Access has been leading the way in transforming and improving healthcare for Coloradans. The company has several programs to ensure its members receive the best care possible. Some examples include: the care management program, WeCare resource webpage, Member and Family Advisory Board meetings, focus groups, Prevention Perks, and much more.

The care managers believe the best way to deliver care is by creating a partnership with members. The care management program is made up of all health care professionals who can indentify members’ needs, provide support, and create unique and specific treatment plans for them.

When members or the general public have questions about the plan, each customer service representative is fully prepared to answer their questions. From connecting members to the right providers to helping them understand their plan, they know how to get the job done. They go through vigorous trainings to fully understand the company and its members.

Colorado Access is continuously working towards improving the health of Medicaid, CHP+, and Medicare recipients in Colorado. For more information about Colorado Access, please visit www.coaccess.com or call 1-800-511-5010.

Webinars & Workshops

• All VA Employees and any health care professional working in rural communities and supporting rural Veterans  -
• Suicide Prevention Tools for Primary Care Providers  -
• Coding Certification Bootcamp in Rifle, CO  -
• Using Consumer Self-Help Tools to Improve Organizational Performance: myStrength Demo  -
• HIT Competency Examination Program: Free vouchers through March 30th!  -

The VHA Office of Rural Health, Rural Health Professions Institute presents: Post Deployment Care Integration for Rural OEF/OIF/OND Combat Veterans

Thursday, April 25, 2013

1:00-2:10 pm Eastern Time

Click here to register for this event

This presentation is designed to help both VA and non-VA health providers offer rural and highly rural Veterans the best possible care as they return to civilian life from combat deployment. Course Credit: The live broadcast is pursuing approval to provide ACCME, APA, ANCC and ASWB/CA BBS continuing education credits and that effort should be complete before the broadcast date. Target Audience: All VA Employees and any health care professional working in rural communities and supporting rural Veterans.

Suicide Prevention Tools for Primary Care Providers

Thursday, March 28, 2013, 1:00 – 2:30 pm EDT
Target Audience: HRSA funded safety-net providers

Registration is Free - but limited to first 1,000

Objectives:
1. Information on suicide prevention trainings and resources available for primary care and clinical staff
2. Recommendations for how to implement at least one office protocol and how to access local resources for people at risk of suicide
3. Outcome data on how Community Health Centers trained in suicide prevention improved their knowledge, skills, and competency
4. Lessons from how one Community Health Center implemented suicide prevention protocols in their agency

The SAMHSA-HRSA Center for Integrated Health Solutions and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center are co-sponsoring a webinar to highlight practical primary care strategies from the Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Rural Primary Care. While developed with rural primary care providers in mind, the tools are applicable to a broad array of safety-net providers. The materials are designed to help assess patients’ risk of suicide, plan interventions, and create individual safety plans. These tools include a template for developing partnerships with mental health providers; pocket guides for assessment, intervention, and safety plan development; and tips for billing and gathering state-specific information.

In addition, the webinar will feature one Community Health Center’s experience with implementing suicide prevention protocols and trainings that have empowered staff and ultimately saved lives in their communities.


Coding Certification Bootcamp in Rifle, CO

May 21, 22 & 23, 2013

Grand River Hospital Conference Center

501 Airport Rd, Rifle, CO

Click here to register

A nationally recognized ARHPC instructor (over 15 years of experience) will provide valuable information needed to meet your coding, reimbursement and compliance goals in 2013. Questions? Contact Danette Swanson ds@coruralhealth.org. Registration Assistance: Samantha Hiner at 720.248.2757.

Using Consumer Self-Help Tools to Improve Organizational Performance: myStrength Demo

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

2:00–3:30 pm Eastern Time

Register for FREE online

SPEAKERS: Sharon Raggio, CEO Colorado West, Inc; Monica E. Oss, CEO, OPEN MINDS; Scott R. Cousino, CEO, myStrength, Inc. Web technology and consumer empowerment are proving to be a powerful combination in the delivery of health and behavioral health services. Payers and providers using new tech tools to deliver patient-directed care and improve patient engagement have a distinct competitive advantage in today´s dynamic healthcare market as they gear up to meet the significant increase in demand for services. The National Council has forged a partnership with myStrength, Inc., a digital behavioral health company that helps clinicians extend care by offering web-based and mobile self-help resources to patients. Join this webinar for an “up close and personal” tour of myStrength. See how clinicians are using myStrength to help patients manage depression and anxiety in between therapy visits and after therapy ends through interactive coping tools, weekly action plans, daily inspiration, and step-by-step learning modules. Learn how your organization can augment direct intervention with virtual care, enhance and accelerate patient recovery, better manage waitlists, reach remote areas, and offer effective relapse management for patients no longer seeing a therapist.

HIT Competency Examination Program

About the Program
As more and more doctors and hospitals continue to adopt health IT, the workforce needed to support this is expected to flourish. Openings for computer systems analysts – similar to an implementation manager – are expected to shoot up by 22 percent in the next 10 years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Management analyst/consultant jobs – analogous to a practitioner consultant – are also expected to increase by 22 percent. Health information technicians are also expected to grow by more than 20 percent in the next decade, the BLS data show.

In an effort to prepare new workers for burgeoning health IT sector growth, ONC funded the Workforce Development Program, including development of a series of competency exams. Click here for further details. 

Vouchers for Free Exams (through March 2013)
Individuals and organizations can obtain vouchers for free exams. Exams must be taken before March 30, 2013 to use the free voucher. Vouchers are invalid after this date.

CRHC Sponsored Events

• The Forum 2013  -
• Disaster Recovery and EHR Systems Workshop  -
• Coding Certification Bootcamp in Rifle, CO  -
• Future events posted on our website at www.coruralhealth.org/events  -

The Forum 2013

April 3-5th

Sheraton Denver West

360 Union Blvd. - Lakewood, CO

Register online today!

This 13th Annual Forum offers a forward-looking and relevant agenda designed to engage participants in discussion about health policy, advocacy, exchange marketplace navigation, community collaboration, mental and oral health, and much more. Click here for further details. For event updates, follow our events blog. We invite your organization to be a sponsor or exhibitor at this year’s conference. Click here for further details or to access a registration form.

Disaster Recovery and EHR Systems Workshop

Tuesday April 2, 2013
10:30 am - 3 pm
Colorado Rural Health Center
3033 S. Parker Road, Suite 606
Aurora, CO 80014
Click Here to Register

Why your IT staff or leadership MUST attend this workshop:

• We will present the latest innovations and concepts in developing and deploying an affordable and appropriate disaster recovery plan for your facility
• Disaster recovery and contingency plan policies and procedures will be reviewed. Every participant will leave with an up to date HIPAA DR and Contingency plan policy and procedure template you can quickly adopt at your facility!
• Take a virtual tour of a Data Center that would provide the highest level of data security
• We will facilitate several roundtable discussions with industry experts on solutions for each participant's DR planning issues and concerns

Fee: There is a nominal $25 fee to cover lunch and refreshments. Recognizing the burden attending may pose to our rural facilities DASH is offering a limited number of $200 scholarships to defray travel costs. These will be issued on a first come/first serve basis. Details on signing up for these scholarship is included on registration forms. For more information email David Ginsberg, Senior Advisor at dg@coruralhealth.org

Coding Certification Bootcamp in Rifle, CO
May 21, 22 & 23, 2013
Grand River Hospital Conference Center
501 Airport Rd, Rifle, CO
Click here to register

Questions?
Contact Danette Swanson ds@coruralhealth.org
Registration Assistance: Samantha Hiner at 720.248.2757

Membership News

• Free Membership Webinar: Learn More About Member Benefits  -
• Members Only Listserv: News and Resources  -
• Student Members: Attend the Forum for FREE  -
• Join CRHC Membership!  -

Membership Webinar: Learn how to make the most of CRHC's Membership benefits

March 26, 2013

11:00-12:00

No registration fees

Click here to register!

We welcome new members and those who are curious about becoming a Colorado Rural Health Center member to join us for a brief webinar. We will discuss the membership benefits including discounts on events as well as benefits associated with workforce, clinic and hospital programs. We will also discuss our new student membership opportunities! The information provided during the webinar will specifically cater to new members and those exploring membership opportunities with the Colorado Rural Health Center.

Members Only

Current CRHC Members are urged to join our exclusive "Members Only" Listserv.  This is a great resource for educational resources, funding opportunities and other information that is a direct benefit to our members.  To sign up, click here.  

Student Members: Attend the Forum for FREE!

Student members receive the same benefits as organizational members, including: Access to educational resources Discounts to CRHC events, workshops and webinars Important updates and notifications through our e-newsletter and email bulletins. Student Membership is only $45.00. Register online.  Once you register as a student member, you are eligible to attend select sessions at the Forum for free. Email Bridgette at bo@coruralhealth.org to register for the Forum.

Join CRHC Membership!

Membership is for hospitals, clinics, students and other small organizations. The fee is based on the number of full-time employees in your organization, and benefits are focused on discounts on events and programs, access to grants and scholarships, technical assistance services, resources, and information sharing. Find out more about our MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM. Or click here to join CRHC's Membership today!

Colorado News

Colorado Community of Immigrant and Refugee Support Services Collaborate to Re-Launch Congolese Refugee’s Career

Adelard Lilimo left war torn Democratic Republic of Congo with the dream of practicing his profession of surgical nurse in the United States. Now, thanks to his own determination and multiple people from many organizations in the refugee and immigrant services community, Adelard is working at the University of Colorado Hospital and is well on his way to realizing this dream.

Upon arrival in the U.S., Adelard faced a series of obstacles. In the DRC, where he had worked as a surgical nurse, Adelard spoke French, Lingala, Kiswahili and Kikongo, but not English. With the help of Emily Griffith Technical College, Adelard enrolled in ESL courses and was able to improve his English language skills. Soon, Adelard’s needs for income became very real, and he turned his focus to obtaining a paying job. Carrying a stack of photos, which graphically illustrated his experience caring for severely injured patients in a DRC Emergency Room, Adelard came to Colorado Welcome Back, a program of Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning. His passion to help victims of suffering was an obvious driving force in his career. Colorado Welcome Back helped Adelard develop a long-term plan for getting back to his profession of a surgical nurse. He was then referred to Goodwill Industries. Goodwill utilized their connections within the community to land Adelard his first paying job in the U.S. While this position was not in the healthcare field, it allowed Adelard to practice his English in the workplace and gain valuable customer service experience. Intent on furthering his professional skills, Adelard attended skills development workshops offered by Colorado Welcome Back and prepared himself to re-enter the healthcare field. Through a chance meeting with a local pastor, Adelard landed his first healthcare position as a Certified Nurse’s Aid (CNA) at a home health facility. However, Adelard’s dreams did not stop there. With the help of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), he was able to secure his current position as a Pre-Operative Service Assistant at the University of Colorado Hospital.

In just a few months, multiple organizations and individuals came together and invested in Adelard’s success. Still, none of Adelard’s progress would have been realized without his incomparable determination and fortitude. As Adelard says, “I know I have so much to offer as a surgical nurse. I hope that I will be able to do this work again in my new country.” Knowing Adelard, his path to success will continue and will inspire other refugees to hold on to their professional aspirations. We at Colorado Welcome Back look forward to continued collaboration with our partner organizations, to supporting Adelard on his professional journey and for many future success stories like his for refugees and immigrants in Colorado!

Volunteer Mentors are needed to help foreign-trained doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals in re-launching their careers

Who?
Experienced healthcare providers, currently employed or retired from their jobs (doctors, nurses, dentists, vets, lab technicians, social workers, etc.) willing to be mentors to their foreign-trained colleagues.

What?
Mentoring engagement with a carefully matched foreign-trained healthcare professional. What is requested is a time commitment of 2-4 hours a month, willingness to help, curiosity and openness to other cultures, patience and supportive attitude. Mentoring training will be provided. Many rewards include the immense sense of satisfaction in being a part of a team effort that gets a foreign-trained professional back on track to practicing medicine, meeting other volunteers, and learning about foreign cultures. Your knowledge of the US health care system, professional expectations and career options will help the fellow foreign-trained health professional reach his/her full potential in his/her new country.

Why?
Colorado is home to many highly skilled and educated refugees and other immigrants who are finding it very challenging to re-launch their healthcare careers in the US. Some of the barriers include lack of understanding of the US healthcare system, lack of access to professional networks, in addition to re-licensing requirements, essentially repeating the academic efforts they had already completed, an extremely competitive process of applying for residency programs, and/or other healthcare jobs.
Where?
Most of the Colorado Welcome Back participants reside in the Metro Denver area. We are looking to match a select group of them with mentors who also reside in the Metro Denver area.

COLORADO WELCOME BACK is a non-profit program helping foreign trained health care professionals re-establish careers in health care in Colorado. It seeks to build a bridge between the pool of internationally trained health workers living in our state and the need for linguistically and culturally competent health care providers. The program is managed by Spring Institute for Cultural Learning and is one of 10 Welcome Back Centers in the US. COLORADO WELCOME BACK is funded by the Colorado Refugees Services Program, Kaiser Foundation and the Colorado Health Foundation. There is no fee to the participants and the program helps them obtain the required licensing, evaluate options, assists in developing career plans, and helps obtain interim positions in the healthcare field while they are pursing their "bigger" career goals.

COLORADO WELCOME BACK offers foreign-trained participants from dozens of countries in the world free seminars, workshops, to prepare then for their career pursuit - training participants to successfully interview, write a professional resume, cover letter, etc.

Interested in becoming a volunteer mentor?

Please contact us by replying to enolan@springinstitute.org

For more information about the program, please visit www.coloradowelcomeback.org