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It has been an incredible honor to join SWCAHEC as the new Executive Director. Over the past few months, I’ve been inspired by the dedication of our stakeholders, the passion of our team, and the unwavering commitment to improving health access and uplifting the communities we serve. This organization thrives because of the collaborative efforts of so many who deeply care about making a difference.
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As a proud alumna of Fort Lewis College and former SWCAHEC scholar, I am humbled to return to a place that has played such a significant role in supporting students and communities. My Diné (Navajo) roots and the teachings of my family have instilled in me the importance of compassion and community-driven solutions. These values are at the heart of SWCAHEC’s mission, and I look forward to continuing this meaningful work alongside all of you.
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The upcoming year holds so much promise. Together, we will focus on creating impactful programs, fostering partnerships, and building a healthier, more resilient future for those we serve. Thank you for your trust and support—I am excited to connect, collaborate, and embark on this journey with each of you.
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Rexine Williams
Executive Director, SWCAHEC
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Congratulations to Dyllon Mills on becoming SWCAHEC's new Data Manager!
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2024 Healthcare Careers Institute (HCI)
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Once again, Health Careers Institute (HCI) was a success! We would like to thank all healthcare volunteers and Fort Lewis College Faculty. This year was especially meaningful as we had the opportunity to collaborate with the Southwest Colorado Education Collective (SWCEC). After months of planning and organizing HCI together, we were confident that the event would be one to remember—and it truly was! A big thank you to Jess Morrison, Patrick Fredricks, and Tai Rogers for being such incredible partners in enhancing our annual HCI event. This collaboration fostered even stronger connections between students, and all dedicated staff involved. We are looking forward to the future of HCI.
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Pandemic Response Training in Southwestern Colorado:
Workforce Development for Community Health Workers
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March 2024 CHWs taking the Pandemic Response Training
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Throughout this year, SWCAHEC successfully conducted five training sessions focused on Pandemic Response Training for Community Health Workers (CHWs) in Southwestern Colorado. The sessions were led by Dr. Jennifer Lowell, an Associate Professor of Public Health at Fort Lewis College, alongside April Sandman, a Public Health Training Associate at SWCAHEC. The primary objectives of this training were to underscore the significance of equipping CHWs with the skills needed for pandemic preparedness and to highlight the vital roles they can assume during a pandemic response. The training included a comprehensive six-hour curriculum covering key topics such as infectious disease principles, pathogen emergence, One Health, and social determinants of health (SDOH). It also emphasized the importance of community partnerships, risk communication, and community engagement, incorporating Indigenous perspectives on One Health and SDOH.
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Dr. Jennifer Lowell and April Sandman presenting their work at the Public Health in Rockies conference in Keystone, Co
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Participants worked on creating personalized pandemic preparedness plans that addressed organizational structures, roles and responsibilities, collaborations with community partners, and personal action plans for community members. This initiative reached CHWs throughout our Southwestern region, with 31 community health workers successfully completing the training. Feedback from surveys indicated a significant learning increase, with average scores rising from approximately 2.5 to 5. Participants reported a highly positive experience overall. In September, Dr. Lowell and Ms. Sandman showcased their findings and training efforts at the Public Health in the Rockies conference held in Keystone, Colorado. We are grateful for the support of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, which made this initiative possible.
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Public Health/ Community Health Trainings
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Evaluating Knowledge and Awareness of Brain Health: Key Insight for Community Health Workers on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia
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This quarter, Southwestern Colorado AHEC held an important training session for community health workers focused on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). Led by Monica Maly, MPH, the ADRD Program Coordinator for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), this session aimed to enhance participants' understanding of dementia. The training covered a wide range of topics, including the various types of dementia, associated risk factors, strategies for reducing risks, warning signs, and the importance of early detection, diagnosis, and care planning. Attention was also placed on improving communication skills and raising community awareness about dementia. A key goal of the training was to promote the creation of supportive, dementia-friendly environments throughout the community. This valuable initiative was made possible with the support of the Colorado Health Foundation and NextFifty Initiatives. While the training was held live, a recording is available for those who would like to access the session. For more information or to obtain a copy of the training, please contact April Sandman at [email protected].
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This summer, SWCAHEC has successfully facilitated four sessions of the Virtual Dementia Tour, engaging 30 community health workers and healthcare professionals in the Southwestern region of Colorado. The Virtual Dementia Tour is an evidence-based program designed to enhance understanding of dementia through the use of sensory tools and specific instructions.
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Trained facilitators provided participants with devices that mimicked the altered sensory experiences of those living with dementia, enabling them to participate in various everyday tasks and activities.
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This immersive experience offers participants invaluable insights into the physical and mental challenges faced by individuals with dementia, ultimately equipping them to deliver more effective, person-centered care. This impactful initiative was made possible through the support of the Colorado Health Foundation and Next50, a national organization based in Colorado dedicated to improving the lives of older adults and their caregivers. For more information about our Virtual Dementia Tour, please reach out to April Sandman at [email protected]
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Thank you Interns!
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We would like to thank SWCAHEC interns, Daelyn Benally and Ty Yellowman for contributing to the programs and projects of the organization. Here is some of the work that they successfully completed.
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“This internship gave me experience in planning cooking workshops and outreach to indigenous communities as well as getting connected to local indigenous food experts.
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In addition, I created social media content from our workshops and highlighted indigenous nutrition education, such as nixtamalization with blue corn tortillas and calcium in juniper ash. Lastly, we assessed after workshops how these workshops impacted the participants.”
- Daelyn Benally
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“During my internship, I had a great experience that allowed me to grow both personally and professionally. I had the opportunity to collaborate with SWCAHEC team members and community members. My personal project centered on Indigenous food safety and food sovereignty. I created an informative video that highlighted my family’s experiences and emphasized the importance of preserving traditional practices while addressing modern challenges. Additionally, I had the privilege of participating in Indigenous food workshops within the Ute Mountain and Southern Ute communities.
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These workshops provided hands-on opportunities to learn about traditional foods and their preparation methods. My role included creating media content, reflecting on my observations, and supporting the presenters. This experience deepened my understanding of the importance of raising awareness about traditional foods within Indigenous communities. I also gained insight into how these foods can complement other healthy nutritional practices to promote overall well-being.” -Ty Yellowman
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A Warm Welcome to our New Intern, Zjani!
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"I’m truly excited about this internship because it offers a unique opportunity to work alongside an organization that shares my commitment to improving healthcare access. The organization's desire to empower underserved communities inspires me, and I look forward to applying and expanding my skills to help further Southwestern Colorado AHEC's mission."
-Zjani Johnson, SWCAHEC Intern
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We are excited to introduce Zjani Johnson, our latest Southwestern Colorado AHEC (SWCAHEC) intern. We are thrilled to have her onboard and look forward to her contributions to our mission. Zjani’s Diné (Navajo) woman and her clans are Tachnii, born for Hashlt’ishnii; her maternal grandfather is Bit’ahnii, and her paternal grandfather’s clan is Kinyaa’anii. Zjani Johnson is a recent Fort Lewis College graduate in public health, passionate about health programs for underserved communities. She is attracted to the SWCAHEC internship for its commitment to addressing health disparities, which aligns with her career goals. Eager to work with a team focused on health equity, Zjani aims to gain hands-on experience in program design and implementation. She looks forward to deepening her understanding of healthcare access barriers and building a strong professional network at SWCAHEC.
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