The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga School of Nursing presents “The Evolving Roles of Nursing in Today’s Health Care Environment” on consecutive Tuesdays beginning May 3, 10, and 17. Registration begins at 8 a.m. each day and sessions run from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at the UTC University Center Auditorium.
On May 3rd, Jennifer Goodrich, President of Benchmark Leadership Training, will give a presentation workplace issues including creating relationships with difficult people, motivating others, and projecting a positive self-image. Special attention will be paid on enhancing communication between colleagues and patients.
On May 10th, Amber Roache’, a family nurse practitioner at North Shore Clinic in Chattanooga and UTC Kay Chitty Professor of Nursing, will discuss the increased incidence of Pertussis in the U.S. and the southeast region and current information on immunizations.
Also speaking on May 10th, Christy Westmoreland, the Administrative Director of Clinical Research at the University of Tennessee Department of Surgery/University Surgical Associates, will discuss how to use critical thinking skills in emergency situations in her presentation, “Thinking Outside the Box.” Attendees will learn to utilize disaster management strategies through various disaster simulations in an effort to lead to better patient outcomes. Westmoreland is also the Deputy Commander of the TN-1 Disaster Medical Assistance Team, as well as, a Tactical Nurse for the Chattanooga Police Department, Special Weapons and Tactical Team.
The conference concludes on May 17th with several presentations on health care reform and the role of unemployment on healthcare . Carolyn Schreeder, Assistant Professor of Nursing at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and the Director of Professional Practice for the Erlanger Health System in Chattanooga, will discuss the key changes in health care reform that will impact the nursing practice.
Jerry Burgess, President and CEO of HealthCare 21 Business Coalition in Knoxville, Tennessee and program director of the College of Value Based Purchasing of Health Benefits, will present an overview of healthcare reform– the major initiatives, impact on employers and current opinions about the issue.
In his presentation, “Culture of the Unemployed,” Dr. Rick Mathis, Director of Research and Analysis at the Ochs Center for Metropolitan Studies in Chattanooga, will describe the demographics and impacts on healthcare of the unemployed in the surrounding region. A panel discussion following Mathis’ presentation will assist in identifying community, state, and federal resources, networking opportunities, and benefits for the unemployed.
Snacks will be provided each day. Conference costs are $25 for one day, $50 for two days, $60 for three days. Additional costs will be added for those seeking credit (CEUs).
The conference is sponsored by the UTC School of Nursing. For more information, call Dr. Cherry Guinn at 423-425-4659.
