SPARX CALENDAR
2009-2010
THIS IS ALWAYS A WORK IN PROGRESS.
PLEASE CHECK BACK TO SEE WHAT NEW THINGS ARE HAPPENING!
Welcome the the SPARX program calendar! The SPARX Program updates these calendar events regularly, and sends notices of listed (and unlisted) activities to students and interested people via the SPARX listserve. To get email notifications of upcoming events, please subscribe to the SPARX listserve. This is simple. Visit http://mailman.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/SPARX/ and follow the instructions to subscribe. If you ever have questions about events, or need to communicate with SPARX staff, please email Ian Maki, Program Manager.
Everyone is welcome to participate in evening forums and special events. Staff will send out announcements of these and any other upcoming events to the SPARX listserve (see above), so subscribe to stay informed! Some workshops and events have limited enrollment and registration instructions are included in event descriptions. A meal or refreshments are served at most evening events. Sometimes we request an RSVP to estimate attendance for the purposes of ordering food and meeting transportation needs. Most activities are open to any member of the campus community, although some activities are intended exclusively to graduate students enrolled in professional health degree programs. SPARX courses are interdisciplinary and open to interested and enrolled students on both Upper and South Campus.
FALL QUARTER 2009
(Upcoming, past events appear at the bottom of this page)
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The 21st Worldwide commemoration of World AIDS Day is December 1, 2009. SPARX will convene a panel of both scientific experts and lay people to discuss the search for a preventive HIV vaccine and efforts to involve community in this important medical discovery, often in a heated political environment of skeptics and conspiracy theorists. While these researchers and advocates continue their work, domestically and internationally, the epidemic grows--especially in places where inequality and health disparities remain unaddressed. |
DECEMBER 1, 2008, TUESDAY: World AIDS Day Event
"In It For The Long Haul: The 25-year (and counting) search for an effective HIV vaccine"
Health Science Building K-069 (off the I-Court Rotunda), 5:30-7:30 pm
The recent completion of a large HIV vaccine clinical trial in Thailand brought results that concluded that the vaccine strategy was partially effective in preventing HIV infection . These results stunned many, but also provided some important clues and lessons about the virus, our immune systems, and what it will take to develop an even more successful vaccine to end the AIDS pandemic.
Dr. Ann Duerr , is an epidemiologist and medical doctor who has worked in HIV for more than 20 years and the associate director of scientific support for the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Gail Broder manages community education for the HVTN's domestic vaccine trial sites. David Garcia and Kim Louis are local staff of the Seattle HIV Vaccine Trials Unit (SHVTU). These individuals, and several members of the Unit's community advisory board come together this one night for a retro- and prospective look at the global vaccine effort as it cautiously celebrates the Thai trial and recommits itself to an act of discovery that will change the world. Learn what action you can take, locally, to bring an end to AIDS. Reception with Dr. Duerr, Ms. Broder and the Seattle HVTU staff and community advisory board members follows. 1 SPARX point.
DECEMBER 2, 2009, WEDNESDAY: World AIDS Day Event
"Human Sexuality and a Woman's Experience of HIV"
Foege Auditorium, S-060, Genome Science Building, 5:30-7:00 pm
The UW Chapter of the International Pharmacy Student Federation (IPSF), with SPARX and some friends, are hosting this audience participatory, anonymous yet effective demonstration of the spectrum of human sexuality that creates a visual representation of sexuality statistics in a safe, fun and upbeat exercise designed by and for health students. Come be part of the UW's first (that we know of) presentation of the "fabulouSEXcitingclasSEXercise." In addition to this eye-and-mind-opening activity, we also welcome an HIV+ speaker from BABES Network-YWCA, a peer-based sisterhood of women facing HIV together. The IPSF has invited a local woman living with HIV to share her story, especially her experiences with health care providers, in order to educate, combat stigma and stop the spread of HIV. This event is not to be missed. Refreshments will be provided. 1 SPARX point
WINTER QUARTER 2009
(Under development, still planning events, dates subject to change)
JANUARY 18, 2010: "Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service"
Starts at the HUB at 8:00 am, Volunteer with SPARX at one of two different projects 9:00 am-4:00 pm
The 2009 King Day of Service saw a record number of Americans honoring Dr. King by volunteering in their communities, including the newly inaugurated President, Barack Obama and his family. From building homes and delivering meals to refurbishing schools and restoring wetlands, a huge number of volunteers made it "a day on, not a day off" by participating in more than 13,000 projects in all 50 states. SPARX continues its support of community by leading service projects at two Seattle-area sites: Northwest Harvest and ROOTS Young Adult Shelter. RSVP's required to to participate. Sign up for a project at the Contact me with your name, email address and contact phone number. RSVP, please to SPARX. 3 SPARX points for your service.
JANUARY 29, 2010: "The One-Night-Count of Homeless (ONC) "
School of Social Work, Main Floor Lobby & U District Environs, EARLY Friday morning, 2:00 am-5:00 am.
Each year Seattle King County Coalition on Homelessness conducts a census of homelessness through a "One Night Count" which includes a street-by-street observational count and a survey of homeless shelters and transitional programs. At least 8,439 men, women, and children were homeless during this one night. Hundreds of volunteers, some from SPARX, counted 2,631 people without shelter in parts of thirteen cities and unincorporated areas. The same night, staff at nearly 200 emergency shelters and transitional housing programs completed surveys about the 5,808 people staying in their programs. This is the fifth year of SPARX' involvement in this count of homeless persons sleeping out of doors, hence the late (early) hour. Students gather in the lobby of the School of Social Work (15th Ave NE and NE 41st Street) and comb local neighborhoods in teams looking for outdoor sleepers and counting them. For clarification, this happens during the night between Thursday and Friday.
2 SPARX points for participation.
See the One Night Count on You Tube:
SPRING QUARTER 2010
(Under development, still planning events, dates subject to change)
SPRING QUARTER COURSE: "Health & Human Services in Rural Communities"
CONJ 515 HSC Room T-435 FULL and waitlisted
1 credit, CR/NC, SLN 12026
Meets on three Tuesday evenings from 5:30-6:50 and a weekend trip to Omak, Okanogan County, May 8-10.
SPARX co-sponsors this popular one-credit non-clinical elective seminar/field trip course, now in its 21st year. Course coordinators, Peter House and Ian Maki, and community and UW health providers/instructors offer this popular interdisciplinary course featuring guest lecturers from diverse rural practices and a weekend-long (and mandatory) field trip/experience in a rural community. Omak is one example of a classic Western rural community with an engaged and ethnically and socially diverse population and a wide commitment to a unique effort to address rural health disparities. Contact Peter House with course-related questions or Joyce Kirk for add codes. Enroll as you would normally. If you're interested in auditing, have already taken the course, or are matriculated in a self-sustaining program (MEDEX, EDP, Rehab. Med. PT, etc.) contact Ian Maki to be added to the class as an auditor. A $40.00 course fee is associated with this course, which goes toward field trip expenses. 5 SPARX points for this course in addition to class credit.
SPRING QUARTER COURSE: "Tent City University"
HSERV 573 Tuesdays, 1:30 to 3:00 pm. (This may change at the will of the students enrolled Winter Quarter.)
Amy Hagopian and Peter House, instructors
3 graded credits; SLN: TBA
The culmination of this interdisciplinary course/community development project/community action of a collaborative project to propose, plan and bring Tent City to the University of Washington. (See Winter quarter description, above.)
APRIL 16, 2009: "Dancing Around Youth Violence: A coming epidemic of youth violence?"
Health Science Building, Room T-739, 5:30-7:30 pm
Gangs, guns, shootings, drive-by's, retaliation, assaults, and stabbings. These events, once rare community tragedies, are now typical in the life of local teens and get little attention past the headlines and the 11:00 news. This panel features the voices and stories of three young people from Youth-n-Action, all of whom have experienced violence in their lives; a mental health professional, Charley Huffine, who works with these youth; Kevin Haggerty, an educator and researcher working to understand and address the social context of youth violence; and Tim Burgess, the Seattle city councilmember who grapples with this issue from a policy perspective. Please come to learn about the predictors of youth violence and what interventions work to stem the tide of kids killing and hurting other kids. 2 SPARX points.
MAY 12, 2009 :"Introduction to Large-scale Community Health Screening"
HSB, TBA, 5:30 pm- 7:30 pm
A training workshop for students who will participate in Community Screening activities, specifically the Latina Health Fair (5/16) and the Rainbow Women's Health Fair (June). An introduction to the why's, how's and what-for's in community screening. Dr. Donald Downing, professor in the School of Pharmacy provides an instructive frame for students who wish to or will engage in health screening activities either in school or professionally. Students who will do cholesterol testing at the Latina Health Fair, will have a Cholestech practice session here. Expect a snack only this time, and earn 1 SPARX point for attendance.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY, May 8-10, 2009:"'The Rural Trip"
Omak, Okanogan County, WA FULL AND WAITLISTED
Departs at 9:00 am or 3:00 PM Friday May 8th. Return by 6:00 PM Sunday May 10. Leave and return from the Health Science Building
If you didn't have time or feel the need to take the Rural Class, you can still join the class on its exploration and experience of a vibrant rural community and its health systems. Travel with the class to Omak, WA to visit the hospital and clinics, celebrate with the community and hear from its providers. The trip features side trips to kayak, hike, visit Nespelum and Tonasket, Accomodation in local homestay with the community. Tons of community exposure and interactions. In response to past student experience and comments, we are taking time to get to know and experience the community and not just "drive by." There is a $40.00 fee to cover the costs of transportation, meals and refreshments. 3 SPARX Points
SATURDAY,
MAY 16, 2009: "7th
Annual Latina Health Fair"
North Seattle Community College Campus,
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
SCHEDULE COMPLETE: CLICK HERE TO SEE/DOWNLOAD YOUR ASSIGNMENT (Excel).
LAST YEAR'S VOLUNTEER MANUAL IS HERE. SEE THIS FOR GENERAL INFO AND ROLE DESCRIPTIONS.
Beginning in 2004 with the Second Annual Latina Health Fair, SPARX has supported this annual health fair held in honor of Women's Health Week activities. The Community Health Access Program of the Washington Health Foundation (WHF) produces this event with support of local service agencies and health care providers. SPARX manages the entire health screening area of the fair, conducting blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, vision, osteoporosis, and BMI screening. UW students assist with health screening of Latina women and their children with UW faculty supervision. Student volunteers will work exclusively with UW faculty at stand-alone screening activities. This is an excellent community activity for bilingual (English/Spanish) students, although Spanish language ability is not a requirement. (Lack of Spanish language skills may, however, limit what activities a student can do.) Announcement and registration for this activity will be made through the SPARX listserve. 2 SPARX points/shift for participation. Volunteer application here. Download, complete the registration form and email to Ian by April 30, 2009.
CANCELLED: "Disease and Healthcare for the Homeless"
Health Science Building, Room T-473, 5:30-7:30 pm
Information about common illnesses, chronic disease, treatment options, local resources for homeless people. Nancy Sugg, Medical Director of the Pioneer Square Community Health Clinic who works daily with this population. Students who completed Homelessness 101 are invited, as are students new to this series. Space limited to room capacity. 1 SPARX point for attendance.
WHAT YOU MISSED:
FALL QUARTER 2009
OCTOBER 6, 2009, TUESDAY: "SPARX/CHAP KICKOFF DINNER & SOCIAL"
Vista Cafe, Foege BioGenome Building (15th & Pacific), Second Floor 5:30 pm-7:30 pm.
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Come to this annual dinner social and presentation for health professions students about the SPARX and CHAP programs and projects! This annual event is the kickoff of SPARX and CHAP activities planned for Health Science students during the upcoming year. Information and registration opportunities for service learning activities involving rural and urban underserved health projects. Learn about the SPARX certificate program and what's required to earn your own. Meet other like-minded students, socialize, and get involved. Also, members of Students in the Community (SITC) , Al Shifa student clinic and other service groups and projects for health science students will be present to talk about their projects and getting involved. Contact SPARX with questions. 2 SPARX points for participation |
OCTOBER 7, 2009, WEDNESDAY: "Head Start Seminar"
Health Science Building, Room E-216 (Near Court Cafe), 5:30 pm-6:30 pm.
Head Start is a comprehensive child development program that serves low income children from age 3 to 5. Head Start, and Early Head Start are child-focused programs and have the overall goal of increasing the school readiness of young children in low-income families. Seattle Schools Head Start program health analyst (and UW School of Public Health & Community Medicine grad), Katy Payne, will present background on the program, its clients, activities and outcomes for the local programs and offer training for the volunteer project performing vision and hearing screening for local preschoolers. Sign ups available for Head Start Hearing and Vision screening trips to be held off campus on October 9th through the 23rd. (see below). 1 SPARX Point for attendance.
OCTOBER 13-15, 19-22, and 26-29, 2009: "Head Start Vision and Hearing Screening"
Locals Schools and YMCA, Daybreak Star/United Indians All Tribes, various shifts.
Students are invited to participate in the Head Start vision and hearing screening activities with preschoolers at one or more two hour sessions at a number of Seattle Head Start programs. Student teams will conduct simple hearing and vision screenings, organize and monitor preschoolers as they assemble for screening, and help with documentation. The times of these trips will be 8:30-11:30 am and occasionally 1:30-4:00 pm to screen in afternoon-only programs. A short training Head Start and screening procedures for all participants will be held on 10/7 (see above entry). To assure adequate coverage, prior arrangement for participation required: contact Ian Maki to register for this activity. Student drivers are helpful. Students earn 2 SPARX points per shift for this activity.
As of October 9, the following shifts are still open for participation (1-2 students): 10/13 AM (1), 10/13 PM (1), 10/15 AM (1), 10/15 PM (1), 10/19 PM (1), 10/20 PM (1-2), 10/21 PM (1), 10/27 AM (1-2), 10/28 AM (2-3).
OCTOBER 15, 22, 29, and NOV 5, 2009: "Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick "
Watch the trailer to "Unnatural Causes"
Health Science Building, Room T-747, 5:45-7:45 pm
UNNATURAL CAUSES is the acclaimed documentary series broadcast by PBS in use by thousands of organizations around the country to tackle the root causes of our alarming socio-economic and racial inequities in health. The four-hour series crisscrosses the nation uncovering startling new findings that suggest there is much more to our health than bad habits, health care, or unlucky genes. The social circumstances in which we are born, live, and work can actually get under our skin and disrupt our physiology as much as germs and viruses.
Furthermore, substantial, longitudinal research has revealed a gradient to health. At each step down the "SES ladder", people tend to be sicker and die sooner. Poor Americans die on average almost six years sooner than the rich. No surprise. But even middle class Americans die two years sooner than the rich. And at each step on that ladder, African Americans, on average, fare worse than their white counterparts. In many cases, so do other peoples of color. Evidence suggests that more equitable social policies, secure living-wage jobs, affordable housing, racial justice, good schools, community empowerment, and family supports are health issues just as critical as health care access, diet, tobacco use, and exercise.
A a community of learners, SPARX encourages students of all health disciplines, whether you have seen the series or not, to come and watch and discuss it as a group. We have invited experts from the UW and the student community to lead discussions following each session and encourage action.
OCTOBER 15: Episode 1: "In Sickness and In Wealth" Post episode discussion featuring Dr. Stephen Bezruchka and student facilitators from the School of Public Health MPH Community-Oriented Public Health Practice Program
OCTOBER 22: Episodes 2 and 3: "When the Bought Breaks" and "Becoming American"
OCTOBER 29: Episodes 4 and 5: "Bad Sugar" and "Place Matters"
NOVEMBER 5: Episodes 6 and 7: "Collateral Damage" "Not Just A Paycheck"
OCTOBER 17, 2009: "Be the Facilitator: Leading group discussions on 'Unnatural Causes'"
Health Science Building, Room T-531, 10:00 am-12:30 pm
SPARX and American Medical Student Association (AMSA) Health Equity Campaign are hosting a Facilitation training for the Unnatural Causes screenings to train students to facilitate the sessions and discussions after the screenings. The King County Initiative on Social Justice and Equity will be leading the training. If you are interested in attending please RSVP to Luis Manriquez before the 17th. Later this fall the Health Equity Campaign will be hosting listening sessions to determine the areas of interest for the group. If you are interested in helping organize these events please contact me for more information.
OCTOBER 22, 2009: "Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick "
Health Science Building, Room T-747, 5:45-7:45 pm
Episodes 2 and 3: "When the Bought Breaks" and "Becoming American"
See above.
OCTOBER 28, 2009: "What is 'The Medical Home?' "
Health Science Building, Room T-435, 5:45-7:00 pm
Imagine that you, your parent or child, have a case of acute bronchitis that worsens dramatically over a holiday weekend. How many treatment options would you have, other than the emergency room, when more than half of U.S. primary care physicians do not offer after-hours care.
Americans may not be familiar with the term "medical home," but they know when they don't have one—that is, a primary care practice that provides them with accessible, continuous, and coordinated care. In fact, more than half of Americans report that they have been seeing their doctor for less than five years, and nearly 20 percent of U.S. adults report that their test results or medical records were not available at the time of a scheduled appointment, or that they received conflicting advice. A medical home is more than just a place; it is a comprehensive approach to providing care. The idea of a medical home is 180 degrees from an emergency room, urgent care facility, or walk-in clinic. In medical home practices, patients develop relationships with their providers and work with them to maintain healthy lifestyles and coordinate preventive and ongoing health services. In this sense, medical homes are the foundation of patient-centered care, designated by the Institute of Medicine as one of the six aims for the health care system, and defined as care that is respectful of, and responsive to, individual patient preferences, needs, and values.
Join the UWSOM Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) and SPARX, for this informative talk by Dr. Frederick "Freddy" Chen. Dr. Chen Senior Investigator in the University of Washington's WWAMI Rural Health Research Center and the Center for Health Workforce Studies. Dr. Chen has been an Atlantic Fellow at the Public Health Policy Unit of the University College London, where he examined primary care research policy in the National Health Service. Prior to that, he was the Kerr White Visiting Scholar in the Center for Primary Care Research at the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Dr. Chen received his medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco, and completed his M.P.H in epidemiology at UC Berkeley. After training in family medicine at the University of Washington he completed a fellowship as a Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar. His research interests cover a variety of health policy issues, ranging from bioterrorism preparedness to medical education outcomes research. Dr. Chen has a clinical practice at the Harborview Family Medicine Clinic. RSVP's requested for the purpose of providing food, a light meal will be provided. RSVP to either Lisa Balloun or Ian Maki by October 23, please. 1 SPARX point.
OCTOBER 29, 2009: "Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick "
Health Science Building, Room T-747, 5:45-7:45 pm
Episodes 4 and 5: "Bad Sugar" and "Place Matters"
See above.
NOVEMBER 5, 2009: "Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick "
Health Science Building, Room T-747, 5:45-7:45 pm
Episodes 6 and 7: "Collateral Damage" "Not Just A Paycheck"
See above
We are always open to new ideas. If you are aware of an event or project that might be appropriate for SPARX, your comments and suggestions are welcome. Send email to the program manager by clicking here.
