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As a capacity-building organization, SWCAHEC staff do everything possible to create opportunities for healthcare and public health students. From paid internships to clinical placements, free workforce certificate programs to pipelining event development and implementation, we work hard to enrich the professional lives of students and give them the resources needed to succeed in their chosen careers. I would like to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate my SWCAHEC colleagues- Chelsie, Dyllon, April and Tehani- for their unfailing support of students. They provide the behind-the-scenes work that helps make all of our students shine. As you will see from the programs below, they are deeply committed to helping to develop health professionals who are uniquely qualified to offer high quality and accessible care to diverse community members in Southwestern Colorado.
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Kate Hartzell
Executive Director, SWCAHEC
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Chelsie Begoody is SWCAHEC’s New Assistant Director!
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Congratulations to Chelsie Begoody for becoming the new Assistant Director of SWCAHEC! Chelsie’s dedication to both the organization and the region is exemplary and her leadership will lead to exciting and innovative new programming.
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Blend & Thrive Workshop led by Denee Bex at the Ute Mountain Ute Multipurpose
room in Towaoc, CO
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Redefining Aging within Indigenous Communities
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Our workshop series, "Grandma Says, Grandpa Says," aimed to redefine aging within Indigenous communities by emphasizing resilience and strength, specifically among Native Elders in the Ute Mountain Ute tribe.
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In our first session, participants engaged in discussions about the significance of aging, shared personal anecdotes and reflected on the teachings passed down by their elders. Despite initial hesitations, the room soon brimmed with heartfelt narratives, highlighting the deep connections between generations.
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Teaming up with the International Association for Indigenous Aging (IASquared) in the second workshop, we delved into the complexities of health, particularly focusing on dementia awareness. Through interactive activities and discussions, attendees explored strategies for healthy living and learned about dementia risk reduction.
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In the "Blend and Thrive: Indigenous Foods Workshop" with Denee Bex, participants were empowered to explore the nutritional benefits of indigenous ingredients and learn how to incorporate them into delicious and nourishing meals. From nutritional discussions to hands-on cooking experiences, attendees discovered the transformative potential of traditional foods.
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As we look forward to our upcoming "Cultural Exchange & Closing" workshop with nDigiDreams, we anticipate an enriching experience of storytelling and creative expression. This final session will provide a platform for participants to share their stories, celebrate their cultural heritage, and strengthen community bonds.
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Through these workshops, we aimed to honor the wisdom of Native Elders, foster intergenerational connections, and promote holistic well-being within Indigenous communities.
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Health Careers Institute Announces Partnership
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We are excited to announce our partnership with the Southwest Colorado Education Collective for this year’s Health Careers Institute. We look forward to the outcome of what partnerships can demonstrate in this region and what amazing individuals can accomplish together. This year we have students coming from all over Southwestern Colorado and Navajo Nation. We are still open to applications, space is filling up quickly!
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Culturally Relevant Trainings a Success!
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Native American Cultural Awareness in Perinatal Care
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April Sandman, a Public Health Trainer at SWCAHEC, delivered an informative presentation on Native American Cultural Awareness in Perinatal Care at Shining Mountain Health and Wellness in Ignacio, Colorado, on January 11, 2024.
She also presented to the nursing students at Pueblo Community College on March 6, 2024. The presentation was held during a luncheon for a breastfeeding and parenting support class, including health professionals from Southern Ute Tribe.
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The goal of the presentation was to ensure that healthcare staff are well-educated and informed about providing culturally sensitive and appropriate care to Native American patients in the four-corner region. April's presentation covered traditional childbirth practices, cultural beliefs, and best practices for working with Native American patients. Additionally, the presentation provided resources and support to ensure that SWCAHEC staff is well-informed and can provide culturally sensitive care to all patients, regardless of their background.
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SWCAHEC was grateful for the opportunity to raise awareness and we look forward to future presentations.
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The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Training Program
Creates Opportunities for Diverse Community Members
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SWCAHEC, with the help of The Colorado Health Foundation, the Telligen Community Initiative and the Rocky Mountain Health Foundation has been building Certified Clinical Medical Assistant training programs in the region.
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These programs are free for eligible students with costs for the course, certification test preparation, and testing costs being covered by the organization. With students in La Plata County, Montezuma County and Telluride, we are working to create sustainable programs in the region to meet this vital workforce shortage. Our emphasis has been on creating opportunities for diverse community members who are underrepresented in our healthcare workforce and who will enhance the quality and accessibility of our health systems and clinics for everyone in SW Colorado.
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SWCAHEC CCMA programs are for workforce certification and are not academic credit-bearing. We have piloted several CCMA curricula to ascertain their value for exam preparation. SWCAHEC also focuses on enhancing the Medical Assistant competencies with training and education that will prepare MAs to serve our region and the unique patients who live here. We are developing additional community-based training programs and look forward to expanding our trainings beginning this summer!
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SWCAHEC Community Health Worker Training
Program Development Update!
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SWCAHEC has been involved in the development of CHW certification programs in SW Colorado. Using a community advisory committee for content and curriculum modality feedback, we created the Fort Lewis College Community Health Worker Certificate in collaboration with Public Health Faculty at the college.
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As Medicaid reimbursement for Community Health Workers becomes a reality in 2025, training programs that meet state requirements will be vital. SWCAHEC is currently creating a community-based training program for Community Health Workers that will meet the eventual requirements for the state registry at CDPHE. With a focus on CHW skills and competencies as well as content that will facilitate community health work in our rural and tribal communities, this program will prepare the workforce to meet the specific needs of community members and the realities of our health systems and infrastructure in our region. Additionally, the program will include training opportunities for career advancement with collaborative material on specific disease and life cycle health conditions as well as supervisor and leadership initiatives. Stay tuned for program launch this summer!
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Southwestern Colorado Community Health Worker Collaborative:
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First meeting is on May 9th, 2024
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5:30-6:30pm at SWCAHEC office
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SWCAHEC Pandemic Response Training for CHWs
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We are excited to announce that Southwestern Colorado AHEC will be conducting Pandemic Response Training for Community Health Workers in the southwestern region.
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This training is funded by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and will be presented by Dr. Jennifer Lowell, PhD, and April Sandman, BPH.
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After successfully running the first pilot in December 2023, and the second for students at Fort Lewis College in March 2024, an additional training program was given to community health workers in the region on April 25, 2024.
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The training took 6 hours and covered basic information about infectious diseases, their spread, the importance of risk communication, and examples of response strategies during pandemics like COVID-19 and other public health emergencies. They presented information through differing cultural lenses and shared experiences from our local areas. Examples were demonstrated how CHWs are valuable pandemic response team members.
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Additionally, They worked on a pandemic preparedness plan to engage with community partners/organizations and help community members with personal plans. With this knowledge, CHWs have been empowered to work with local public health, community partners, and community members to respond to emergencies. Each community may structure its response teams differently depending on the major decision-makers and expectations of community members.
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SWCAHEC’s April and Chelsie Attend
Indigenous Lactation Counselor Training
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Southwestern Colorado Area Health Education Center is proud to announce that two of its team members, April Sandman and Chelsie Begoody, recently completed the 45-hour Indigenous Lactation Counselor (ILC) training in Flagstaff, Arizona, from March 18 to 22, 2024. Both April and Chelsie are now certified as Indigenous Lactation Counselors.
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The ILC training aimed at promoting knowledge of milk medicine and practices for Indigenous communities. During the training, ILC facilitators Camie Jae Goldhammer, founder Executive Director, Doula, and Lactation Consultant at Hummingbird Indigenous Family Services, and Kimberly Moore-Salas, who has expertise in peer counseling, clinical lactation support, and education, helped the attendees understand the importance of reclaiming milk medicine and how it builds connections across generations. Lactation builds a sacred bond of lineage between the lactating parent and the baby that lasts a lifetime.
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SWCAHEC is now eager to bring a similar training and/or event to the Southwestern Colorado area and help honor Indigenous traditions. Bringing an event or training will provide guidance that empowers families to nourish their babies with their first sacred food - Breastmilk!
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Stay tuned for an announcement from SWCAHEC regarding upcoming events.
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Congratulations to the 9 graduates of the AHEC Scholars Program!
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The AHEC Scholars Program is a program for health professions students interested in supplementing their education by gaining additional knowledge and experience in rural and/or underserved urban settings. As an AHEC Scholar, the student, who is already invested in healthcare as a career, increases their knowledge of pertinent issues to apply to their future health professions workplace or community. While completing their own health professions training, AHEC Scholars participate in a 40-hour longitudinal curriculum created by COAHEC, as well as community training and activities provided uniquely by specific AHEC regional centers in Colorado. The purpose is to apply their AHEC Scholars training and knowledge in their future health care settings in urban and rural areas that are medically underserved. For more information, please contact Dyllon at [email protected]
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A Warm Welcome to our Interns!
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LaQuanna Halkini
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“The SWCAHEC team has really brought me out of my shell. I did not feel that confident within my field because I learn more when I am implementing what is being taught to me. This internship was very hands-on and allowed me to learn new things each time I connected with someone on the team. The constant learning and teaching environment within SWCAHEC was something that I really admired. When I was working on my big project of facilitating a discussion panel with nurses, they were nothing but supporting, encouraging, and guiding.”
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Gabi Meraz-Fishbein
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"Gabi’s internship project included registered dietitian interviews about their journey to their healthcare career. She completed three Food & Culture cooking activities with learning material handouts. K-5 students got to learn about what a healthy diet consists of, dietitian health career, relationship between food and culture, and so much more!"
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