Regional Networks

Metro DC CCPH Regional Network

The Metro DC CCPH Regional Network focuses on linking communities and educational institutions together for the overall health of communities. The Regional Network aims to facilitate a common purpose and help formalize into "collective action" the efforts of many individuals and agencies.

In preparation for the proposal, the Regional Network leadership team conducted an inventory of currently existing partnerships in the region. This activity helped to determine existing relationships and discover the "gaps" for the Network to target. A second asset inventory was completed of colleges and universities in the Metro DC region that have health professions programs. The Regional Network will respond to requests to "help share experiences and benefit from collaborative opportunities with colleagues across the region" to greatly enhance the ability of these organizations to do their work more effectively.

Specific Activities of the Regional Network

Infrastructure
An operating assumption of the network is to be an inclusive organization with membership representing diverse constituencies. Therefore, an Advisory Council, representing community agencies, academic institutions, students, health agencies and the political arena, will provide overall guidance for the development of the Metro DC Network. The Advisory Council will draw upon perspectives from urban, suburban and rural areas.

Professional Development
The Metro DC Network will hold a series of informational seminars, including "drive-in" and "dial-in" options for events taking place at Metro DC locations. They will also conduct three content-driven, region-wide workshops based on the CCPH Principles of Partnership to serve as a unique catalyst in the region. In November 2003, the Network will sponsor or co-sponsor a regional conference at the Northern Virginia Community College Medical Education Campus that will highlight best practices for promoting the full scope of community-campus partnership strategies.

Outreach & Dissemination
One of the main goals of the Metro DC Network will be to reach out to the 500+ organizations in the region related to community-campus partnerships. In order to do this the Network will establish a listserv to serve as a clearinghouse of information about its activities and events. They will also create a web page that highlights best practices and opportunities for student service-learning placements. They will serve as a convener of regional interest groups in support of the CCPH mission and where appropriate serve as the CCPH representative at government meetings, hearings and other gatherings. The Network will also use such creative technical assistance options as web-based or "dial-in" clinics & meetings that focus on specific topics for those with existing partnerships and those who are considering the formation of partnerships. The Network plans to create a searchable database of the region's community organizations and higher educational institutions using the existing data from the initial asset inventory as a foundation. Finally, the Network will sponsor health professions' student-focused activities.

Region
The metropolitan Washington, DC region is rich with academic institutions, health care systems, community-based agencies and professional associations. The region includes more than 50 higher educational institutions with health professions programs and 500+ schools, community-based agencies, academic and professional associations that were identified through the asset-inventory process. The long-term vision of the Network is to expand the region to the entire states of Maryland and Virginia.

Network Organizational Home & Leadership Team

Leaders from the Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) will spearhead the Metro DC CCPH Regional Network. The leadership team includes:

Charlene Connolly, Provost of the Medical Education Campus, Northern Virginia Community College
Ronda Wright, Network Clinic Coordinator, Northern Virginia Community College
Natasha C. Blakeney, Program Manager, Office of Continuing Education and Workforce Development, Northern Virginia Community College
James Zabora, Dean, National School of Social Service at Catholic University
Darius Tandon, Research Associate, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine & Director of Research & Evaluation, Baltimore's Comprehensive Family Support Strategy & CCPH Fellow
Nan Ottenritter, Coordinator of Health and Wellness, American Association of Community Colleges
Lyn Hainge, Executive Director, Northern Virginia Area Health Education Center
Matt Richardson, Director of the Prairie Area Health Education Center
Suzanna Dotson, Coordinator of Community Education, Western Maryland Area Health Education Center
Kathie M. Westpheling, Executive Director, Association of Clinicians for Underserved
Teklemariam Ayele, Health Program Manager, Ethiopian Community Development Council
Lawrence M. Nelson, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Patricia Bailey, Professor Emeritus of the Department of Nursing, University of Scranton

To learn more about Community-Campus Partnerships for Health, visit www.ccph.info. For more specific information about this CCPH Regional Network please contact:

Ronda Wright
Northern Virginia Community College, Nurse-Managed Health Care Network
8333 Little River Turnpike
CN Building, 222B
Annandale, VA 22003-3743
Phone: 703-323-3406
Fax: 703-323-4576
Email: rwright@nvcc.edu

The CCPH Regional Networks are supported in part by a grant from the federal Corporation for National and Community Service, Learn and Serve America: Higher Education.