Friday, December 14, 2012

AAHI Says Farewell to Program Specialist, Jamie Lok Weng

Today AAHI bid a heartwarming farewell to Program Specialist, Jamie Lok Weng. In her three years at AAHI, Jamie has contributed immensely to AAHI with her passion, expertise, and bright personality and has helped it grow tremendously. As one of the important members of the AAHI family, she has enhanced AAHI’s data collection and reporting, designed and implemented ECHO workshops, and provided overall support to AAHI programs development. She is leaving AAHI to embark on an exciting opportunity at the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. We thank Jamie for all of her hard work and dedication in serving AAHI and the Asian American community in the County. We are confident that she will continue to be a strong advocate for Asian American health concerns. Please join us in wishing her all the best in her future endeavors!
Thank you again, Jamie. You will be truly missed here at AAHI!

Friday, December 7, 2012

Job Opportunity at Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services


Manager II (Senior Administrator)
Division of Communicable Disease, Epidemiology,
and Public Health Emergency Preparedness

Montgomery County Government
Department of Health and Human Services
Rockville, MD
IRC#9993
$73,811 - $133,992

JOB DESCRIPTION: The incumbent in this position serves as the Senior Administrator of the Communicable Disease, Epidemiology, and Public Health Emergency Preparedness Division (CDE & PHEP) in the Public Health Service Area of the Department of Health & Human Services.  The employee reports directly to the Deputy Health Officer and in some high profile situations to the Health Officer.  This Division covers a broad and far-reaching range of public health programs to include direct clinical care to vulnerable populations, emergency health planning, and epidemiology investigations and research.  The work involves frequent media involvement, particularly in the case of high profile disease investigations.  The Division Chief provides leadership and vision for strategic planning in all functional areas of coverage as well as day-to-day management of Division budget and personnel, to include oversight of a public health clinic with over 50,000 patient visits annually.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Experience:  Seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of public health, three years of which were in a supervisory or executive capacity.  Note: The term "executive" is further defined as a high echelon or high level position in an organization that is assigned technical research, management advisory services responsibilities, or policy-making duties and responsibilities that exerts considerable influence on organizational policy, plans, and operations through technical research, management advisory services, and/or policy-making duties and responsibilities (e.g., County positions at Grade 30 or above).
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree.
Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

PREFERRED CRITERIA:  Resumes should include information specific to the preferred criteria listed below.

1.       Master’s Degree in Public Health, Nursing, Epidemiology, Health Care Administration, or other health-related field.
2.       Experience managing disease control, epidemiology and outbreak investigations in a public health and/or community health environment.
3.       Experience in public health grants acquisition and grants management.
4.       Experience in the design, implementation, and management of health programs to diverse or vulnerable populations in a public health or community based setting,
5.       Experience in budgeting, contracting, procurement, and related business processes. 

To view the job posting and submit an application, please visit Montgomery County Government’s Career website at: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/ohr/staffing/careers.html and click on Search Jobs and click again on Search Jobs and select the Managerial Executive job category, IRC9993. 

Job opportunity: Asian Marketing & Communications Specialist


Asian Marketing & Communications Specialist

The Media Network, a full-service communications firm located in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland, is looking for an experienced Asian American Marketing & Communications Specialist with significant experience working with health communications and established partnerships with Asian organizations.

The ideal candidate will have 5+ years experience managing all aspects of comprehensive communications campaigns from initial planning through product development and campaign implementation. Specific experience requirements include:

-          Advertising
-          Media Relations
-          Public Relations
-          Web-Based Marketing
-          Market Research and Analysis
-          Video/Film Production
-          Exhibit Design & Implementation
-          Press Conferences, Events & Tradeshow Planning
-          Commercial Photography
-          Commercial Art & Graphic Design
-          Proposal writing experience

We are looking for a strategic, entrepreneurial thinker with the following key attributes: -          Superior leadership skills in both project and staff management
-          Able to work in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines
-          Excellent written and verbal communications skills
-          Strong client and fiscal management skills
-          New Media experience a plus

Please email a copy of your resume, a cover letter describing your pertinent experience and salary requirements, and sample materials to jobs@tmncorp.com.  Please use the Email subject header “Asian Marketing & Communications Specialist.” The Media Network is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EOE).

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

E.C.H.O. Workshop #4 - Tackling Grant Budgets

AAHI recently hosted the “Tackling Grant Budgets” workshop on Tuesday, December 3rd. This was the fourth workshop in our Empowering Community Health Organizations (E.C.H.O.) Project, which provides practical and professional workshops designed to build the capacity and sustainability of community organizations that serve Asian Americans in Montgomery County.

The workshop was led by Kathleen Sheedy, Grants and Acquisition Manager for Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, who presented how to develop a realistic grant budget that will strengthen a grant proposal. Attendees learned the importance of developing a practical budget that can help build trust with a funder and demonstrate a good return on investment. There were over 30 attendees representing about a dozen organizations from the community. We want to thank our speaker, attendees, health promoters, steering committee, and staff for making this a
successful event!

Photos
12-03-12 ECHO #4

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Farewell to Program Coordinator, Wana Jin

AAHI Community,

Today AAHI says goodbye to Wana Jin, MPH. Wana joined the AAHI staff in February, 2012 as a Program Coordinator. In her time at AAHI, Wana has supported numerous projects related to health communications including E.C.H.O, social media, community outreach, and ethnic media health education. Wana brought with her an impressive background along with a strong passion for public health. She will be leaving AAHI to join the US Military Public Health Command as a Program Evaluator, ORISE Fellow. We truly thank Wana for her dedication and service to the Asian American community and hope that she will continue to be an advocate for Asian American health concerns. Please join AAHI in wishing Wana the utmost success in her future endeavors!

Thursday, November 15, 2012

The Great American Smokeout!

November 15 marks the 37th Great American Smokeout! This day, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, encourages smokers to use the date to make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and quit smoking that day. By quitting — even for one day — smokers will be taking an important step towards a healthier life – one that can lead to reducing cancer risk.

Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the US, yet about 43.8 million Americans still smoke cigarettes — Nearly 1 in every 5 adults. As of 2010, there were also 13.2 million cigar smokers in the US, and 2.2 million who smoke tobacco in pipes — other dangerous and addictive forms of tobacco.

Quitting is hard, but you can increase your chances of success with help. You can find helpful resources on the American Cancer Society website or Maryland's 1-800-QUIT-NOW website.


Thursday, November 8, 2012

AAHI's November Newsletter

The November issue of AAHI's newsletter is now available online. If you don't receive our emails, click here to read the newsletter. You can also subscribe to our email list here.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Take Control of Your Health: What you need to know about Breast Cancer

Although October and Breast Cancer Awareness Month has passed, we still wanted to share our health education article on breast cancer and remind you to get screened anytime of the year.

Take Control of Your Health:  What you need to know about Breast Cancer

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), breast cancer is the most common cancer in women of all ethnicities and races, and it is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among Asian and Pacific Islander women. Also, according to the Office on Women’s Health, the screening rates among minority women tend to be lower, especially among Asian American women, who are the least likely to get screened. Although breast cancer rates differ with each racial minority, it is important to understand that breast cancer affects all women, no matter the race or ethnicity.

Cancer is a term used for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and are able to invade other tissues. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. A tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue that results when cells divide more than they should or do not die when they should. The tumor can be either benign, which means it is non-cancerous, or it can be malignant, which means it is cancerous. Breast cancer is when the cancer cells are found in the tissue of the breast. Breast cancer can occur in both men and women, but it is more common among women.

Especially in the beginning stages, breast cancer does not show many signs or symptoms. As the cancer progresses, certain symptoms may be present, such as: a breast lump or thickening that feels different from surrounding tissue, bloody discharge from the nipple, change in the size or shape of a breast, changes to the skin over the breast, inverted nipple, peeling or flaking of the nipple skin, redness or pitting of the skin over your breast- like an orange.

There are certain risk factors which can increase your chances of developing breast cancer. These risk factors include: being female, aging, family history of breast cancer, inherited genes, radiation exposure, obesity, beginning menstruation at a younger age, starting menopause at an older age, having your first child at an older age, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.

Because breast cancer may not have symptoms in the beginning states, and it can develop in the absence of risk factors, it is very important to follow screening recommendations. The American Cancer Society recommends that women receive Clinical Breast Exams (CBEs) every 3 years starting from the age of 20. When women reach age 40, they should receive a CBE every year. Furthermore, the Office on Women’s Health supports the guidelines that women should receive mammograms every 1-2 years starting at the age of 40. A mammogram is a low dose x-ray exam that checks the breast tissue for abnormalities. Women are also encouraged to become familiar with the way their breasts normally look and feel so they can report any changes to their health care provider. The combination of these screening recommendations can help find breast cancer early, when it’s most treatable.

It is in your hands to take control of your health. The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, Asian American Health Initiative (AAHI) encourages you to contact your primary care doctor for a screening if you have not yet received a CBE or mammogram. If you are a Montgomery County resident, low income, and uninsured, you can learn about low-cost and/or free breast cancer screenings by calling any of the following: 1) Women’s Cancer Control Program at 240-777-1750, 2) Holy Cross Hospital Mammogram Assistance Program at 301-754-8407, or 3) Montgomery Cares Clinics at 240-777-0311.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Free Workshop: Tackling Grant Budgets

AAHI will be hosting a FREE technical assistance workshop as part of the E.C.H.O. Project. The workshops are designed as a series of practical and professional technical assistance training workshops to empower and enhance the ability of community leaders to develop culturally and linguistically competent health programming to serve Asian Americans in Montgomery County.

Tackling Grant Budgets
Date: Monday, December 3, 2012
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Silver Spring Civic Building, Spring & Ellsworth Rooms, One Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Are you interested in applying for a grant? Do you want to learn how to write an effective grant budget? A grant budget is an important tool that helps build trust with the funder and demonstrates a good return on their investment. Attend this free workshop to learn how to develop a realistic grant budget that will strengthen your proposal. 
RSVP is required and space is limited. Please RSVP online by Friday, November 16, 2012.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Wana Jin, AAHI Program Coordinator, via email or telephone at 240-777-1871. We hope you join us in building a healthy community.


Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Job Posting: Services Coordinator

Background Information 
The Welcome Back Center of Suburban Maryland is a program within the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services. The Center is an innovative model that builds on the personal and professional assets of internationally-trained health professionals to help them re-enter the health workforce. This is part of a larger effort to increase the number of culturally and linguistically competent health professionals working in Maryland.
For an overall description of the Center, go to http://www.lhiinfo.org/en-programs-and-activities/Welcome-Back-Center.asp

Position Description
Under the guidance and supervision of the Manager of the Center, the Services Coordinator is responsible for planning and organizing key administrative services and carrying out associated activities needed to ensure effective and efficient fiscal, logistical, and administrative support for the Center. Specific duties include:

  • Respond to inquiries from potential participants and collect relevant information in the Center’s database. 
  • Under the guidance of the Manager, administer and prepare the Center’s annual budget, prepare payments, monitor established individual budget targets, and prepare fiscal reports. 
  • Assist in the development, implementation and monitoring of policies and administrative procedures, including revenue generating activities.
  • Coordinate activities pertaining to the maintenance of the Center’s database and webpage.
  • Coordinate senior staff calendars, and provide necessary support to conduct Center meetings with its Advisory Council and partners, including logistics, preparation of meeting agenda and summaries, identification of issues requiring further action, and follow-up. 
  • Respond to Center’s participants financial assistance inquiries. 
  • Assist with the implementation of program evaluation activities and the development of programmatic reports. 
  • Other relevant duties as assigned.  
Minimum Qualifications

  • Associate Degree in business administration or related field, and three years experience providing administrative/logistic office support and supporting management with key fiscal and administrative functions. 
  • Considerable knowledge of standard office practices and procedures including organization and management office services. 
  • Experience working with diverse immigrant populations. 
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. 
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and privacy of persons documents, data, and communications. 
  • Bilingual in English and one of the following languages: Amharic, Chinese, French, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese. 
  • Excellent computer skills, knowledge and experience in relevant software applications, and ability to work with the Internet.
  • Ability to exercise sound judgment, courtesy and tact in responding to telephone callers and office visitors and make proper disposition of problems. 
  • Ability to work independently on multiple and varied administrative tasks. 
  • Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends. 
Compensation
The contractor will be paid in the 40’s plus benefits. Offer great working environment for mentoring and professional networking.

Interested applicants should send their resumes with a cover letter by November 7, 2012 to Ana.Harvey@montgomerycountymd.gov

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Grant Opportunity!

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services is currently accepting applications for the FY 2014 Community Services Grants Program. The deadline for submission is 3:00 p.m. on Monday, November 19, 2012. 

Details about the grant and application materials are available online: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS/Resources/Files/pdfs/DHHSFY14_CSGAPPLICATION.pdf

A Pre-Submission meeting will be held on Thursday, November 1, 2012 from 4-5pm at 401 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, MD 20850. The purpose of this meeting is to answer questions about the program and application. Attendance is not mandatory. Please RSVP by Monday, October 29, 2012 by emailing Community.ServicesGrants@montgomerycountymd.gov or calling Alma Laxa, Executive Administrative Assistant, at (240) 777-1211.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Community Events/Resources

Montgomery County Flu Vaccination Clinics for Residents
Montgomery County clinics will offer FREE flu vaccinations by appointment only. A flu vaccination is needed every year because viruses are constantly changing. The flu vaccine is manufactured each year to keep up with the flu viruses as they change. “Flu season is around the corner,” said Montgomery County Health Officer Dr. Ulder J. Tillman, “and vaccination is the best way to protect against getting the flu. I urge everyone over the age of six months to get vaccinated.”

For more information about dates, locations, and appointments, go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov/flu or call 240-777-0311.

Free Lung Cancer Screening Study
The Holy Cross Hospital Cancer Institute is recruiting participants for a research study on lung cancer. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you could receive a free lung cancer screening. For more information, see the flyer below and contact Holy Cross Hospital at 301-754-7695.



Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Free Hepatitis B Services @ Fil-Am Ministry of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church

AAHI has been working with the Filipino-American Ministry of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church and the Migrant Heritage Commission to coordinate a Hepatitis B project for the Filipino community. Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease that disproportionately affects Asian Americans. Filipino Americans are 3 times more likely to develop liver cancer caused by Hepatitis B than Caucasians.

This Sunday, October 7 at 6pm, the Fil-Am Ministry will host an educational workshop for the community to learn about Hepatitis B and how to prevent it. In the weeks following the workshop, free Hepatitis B screening tests, results, and vaccines will be available for eligible participants.

Pre-registration is required and space is limited. Participants must be a Montgomery County, MD resident and 18 years or older. To register, call either:
Mr. Tony Calaro at 240-460-3609
Mr. Carl Abella at 301-908-6788
Ms. Isidora Badua at 202-412-4116
Mr. Jesse Gatchalian at 202-631-8856

Friday, September 28, 2012

Job Posting: Part-time Research Assistant


Dr. Juon at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health is currently looking for a research assistant who is fluent in English and Vietnamese (both speaking and writing). This is a part-time, paid position in which the assistant will be involved in a R01 research project studying the effects of a Hepatitis B educational program on the Asian American community.

If you are interested in learning more about this job opportunity or want to apply:
1) Go to https://hrnt.jhu.edu/jhujobs/job_search.cfm
2) Type ‘53661’ in the job requisition number (this is at the bottom of the screen)


Friday, September 21, 2012

Recap of Recent Events

On September 16, AAHI participated in the Sart Thai Festival at Wat Thai Washington DC. This Thai Memorial Day Festival for the community included Thai food, Thai music and dancing, and various vendors. AAHI offered carbon monoxide screening and provided health information on topics such as diabetes and breast cancer.
09-16-12 Sart Thai Festival


On September 19, AAHI presented a health lecture to the Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) Parents as Liaisons group which is comprised of the parents of Chinese ESOL students. The presentation was conducted in Chinese by a Health Promoter and included an overview of breast cancer, current screening guidelines, and local community resources.
09-19-12 MCPS PALS health lecture

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

AAHI's September Newsletter

The September issue of AAHI's newsletter is now available online. If you don't receive our emails, click here to read the newsletter. You can also subscribe to our email list here.

 

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Upcoming Community Events

Below are some local events which may be of interest to the community. Please feel free to share this information with others!

Why Social Security is Important for the Chinese Community
Chinese flyer;  English flyer
Date: Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Time: 1:30 – 4:30 PM
Place: Chinese Culture and Community Service Center
9366 Gaither Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
The Chinese Culture and Community Service Center and the Social Security Administration, Silver Spring and Rockville Social Security Offices are sponsoring this seminar. During the seminar, Social Security Administration employees will provide detailed information about Retirement, Spouses, Disability, Medicare, Survivors and Supplemental Security Income benefits. In addition, they will demonstrate how to utilize available online services at www.socialsecurity.gov and respond to questions from the attendees.

This free seminar will be conducted in Chinese. Registration is required. Please register by calling Diana Varela at 877 512-3848 ext. 20861 or sending email to Diana.Varela@ssa.gov by Wednesday, September 19, 2012.

Free Flu Shot Clinic
Date: Thursday, October 11, 2012
Time: 7:00 – 9:30 AM
Place: Westfield Montgomery Mall Food Court
7101 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda, MD 20817
This clinic is on a walk-in basis, no appointment necessary. Open to individuals 18 years and older. 103 free flu shots will be available. Once the free flu shots are distributed, flu shots will continue to be offered for $25.

Check out the flyer and you can learn more about how to prevent the flu and find additional clinics at www.HelpStopTheFlu.com

Friday, September 14, 2012

MCC Senior Group Health Lecture

On September 8, AAHI presented a health lecture to the Muslim Community Center (MCC) Senior Group. The presentation included an overview of breast cancer, current screening guidelines, and local community resources. Given the mixed gender audience, the men were also encouraged to share this information with the women in their lives. The presentation was well-received and the chair of the Senior Group commented, "We had at our Senior Program a large intergenerational audience of more than 100 participants who benefited from your valuable information. Our Seniors were very impressed with your ability to relay the important message to them in the most thoughtful and culturally sensitive way."

09-08-12 MCC Senior Group health lecture

Friday, September 7, 2012

Welcome Fall 2012 Intern!

With the start of a new school year, AAHI is excited to introduce our fall intern, Jasmine Vinh. Please join us in welcoming her and find out more about her below.

Hi, my name is Jasmine Vinh and I am a senior at the University of Maryland College Park, pursuing a B.S. in Community Health and a minor in Asian American Studies. I am also a second-generation Vietnamese-American. I was first introduced to AAHI after volunteering for the Vietnamese Medical Assistance Program’s SMASH B Hepatitis Screening event earlier this year and am very excited to be a part of AAHI team this fall! 

As an intern, I look forward to the opportunity to participate in the planning and implementation of health promotion events together with the staff and community leaders while gaining hands-on experience in working closely with the diverse Asian American community in the area. I have a strong interest in learning about the many hardships Asian Americans and their families continue to face that affect their quality of life. I hope to support AAHI in addressing these challenges by helping discover new, innovative strategies to reach this underserved, yet growing, population. After graduation, I plan to work in community outreach and hope to pursue an MPH in Health Education.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Affordable Care Act Community Discussion at Holy Cross Hospital, September 24

Holy Cross Hospital will be hosting an informal, yet informative discussion on the Affordable Care Act, and how it will affect you. Local and state health officials have been invited to lend their expertise on this topic to the community, so that we may all be more aware of the health care changes to come.

The Affordable Care Act Community Discussion is Monday, September 24 at 7pm at Holy Cross Hospital. Please call 301-754-8800 to register.


Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Protect yourself against the West Nile Virus

The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control recently reported that there has been an increase in the number of West Nile cases throughout the United States. West Nile Virus (WNV) is a disease transmitted to people by mosquitoes. Although most people who are infected have no symptoms or only mild flu-like symptoms, a small number of infected people can develop more serious symptoms that can have severe complications.

The best way to prevent WNV is to protect yourself from getting mosquito bites. Wear insect repellent and long sleeves/pants if you are outdoors, especially during dusk and dawn. Eliminate any standing water in flower pots or buckets where mosquitoes could breed. Learn more with this fact sheet from the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Women of Color Health Care Reform Conference, Sep 8

The Maryland Women's Coalition for Health Care Reform is hosting a conference entitled Health Care. Women of Color Get It. on Saturday, September 8. The conference will highlight issues relating to the health and well-being of women, particularly women of color, and discuss opportunities and initiatives to positively impact health outcomes.

For more information about the conference and to register, please visit http://www.mdhealthcarereform.org/conference/.


Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Free Webinar on Liver Cancer, September 7 at 3:30pm

The Cancer Support Community, in partnership with CanLiv, is hosting a free webinar on Friday, September 7 at 3:30 p.m. ET entitled Frankly Speaking on Cancer: Liver Cancer. The webinar is geared to help people with liver cancer at any stage of their illness become more active in decision making and more confident in coping with treatment challenges.

Guest speakers include:
  • Dr. Melanie Thomas of Hollings Cancer Center at Medical University of South Carolina and medical expert in the treatment of liver cancer
  • Dr. Peggy Rios the Program Director at the Cancer Support Community of Greater Miami and psychosocial expert
To view the webinar: http://incomm.webcasts.com/viewer/
Code:139389
Call in to listen at: 1-877-407-9708

For more information about the webinar, visit cancersupportcommunity.org/livercancerwebinar


Monday, August 13, 2012

Job Posting: Program Coordinator, Community Health and Wellness

Below is a job posting from Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland.

Program Coordinator, Community Health and Wellness
JOB SUMMARY: 
· Plans, manages, organizes, develops and implements Hospital community education programs, community health partnerships, health fairs, and special events such as road races, family festivals, community events, screenings, and teach education classes throughout the community.
· Operates all senior services, classes, and ongoing programs.
· Align and coordinate community health improvement health initiatives with hospital strategic plan
· Assists Department Director with the planning, organization, development & implementation of Hospital community education programs, community health partnerships, health fairs, and special events such as road races, family festivals, community events, screenings, and teach education classes throughout the community.

POSITION RELATIONSHIPS:
Reports to: Department Director, Community Health and Wellness
Positions Supervised: May have functional supervision of volunteers/interns supporting CHW projects/programs/health initiatives.
Supervise CHW instructors, interns, volunteers and high school students.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS/PREFERENCES:
BA/BS in Community Health Education, Community Development, or Health Sciences.  
MPH/MA/MS preferred.

Licensure/Certification/Registration:
CPR

EXPERIENCE/REQUIREMENTS:
· At least one year of related health education and community development or programming experience
· Minimum of two(2) year experience in a public health or wellness program
· Minimum of two (2) year experience in a marketing or business development position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
· Intermediate computer/word processing skills: PowerPoint, Excel, Microsoft Word
· Excellent interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills.
· Familiarity with health & fitness needs of geriatric, adult and adolescent age groups.
· Ability to communicate via written documentation, telephone, computer, and directly.
· Ability to use a blood pressure cuff and conduct Blood Pressure screenings and ability to screen for body fat composition
· Independently conduct Cholesterol Screenings using Cholestec LDX
· Works well with all ages (children, young adults, geriatrics)
· Ability to organize and teach Safe Sitter classes on and off campus
· Work independently and exercise good judgment
· Requires driving skills
· Proficient in a second language

WORKING CONDITIONS: 
Normal office environment.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The work is fast paced and hectic at times due to scheduled events, meetings, telephone calls and visitors. May be subject to irregular hours, including evening and weekend hours.Subject to exposure to blood-borne pathogens and other hazardous materials. The incumbent is expected to adhere to the Hospital’s Drug and Smoke Free work environment and to adhere to OSHA mandates and precautionary measures. Frequent driving in the community is required. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift supplies and/or equipment up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.

UNIFORM/DRESS REQUIREMENTS:
Each employee is a representative of Suburban Hospital and, by his/her appearance, communicates to each customer the commitment of the Hospital to quality, professional, and service-oriented health care.  Employees must understand and abide by hospital-wide and department-specific dress code requirements as per HR Dress Code Policy.


Wednesday, July 25, 2012

World Hepatitis Day - July 28

July 28th is World Hepatitis Day, a time to increase awareness about hepatitis and promote prevention and treatment. Hepatitis B in particular is an important health concern for Asian Americans since approximately 1 in 12 Asian Americans has hepatitis B. However, many people are unaware of their infection because they may not experience any symptoms of illness.

Getting tested is incredibly important and only requires a simple blood test. For anyone who is at risk of being infected, there is also a safe and effective vaccine to prevent against hepatitis B. For more information, check out the CDC website and take their online Hepatitis risk assessment.

With World Hepatitis Day approaching, let's encourage more Asian Americans to talk to their doctor about getting tested and vaccinated for hepatitis B!

Friday, July 13, 2012

Health Promoter Celebration

As mentioned in the recent AAHI newsletter, we've reached the end of fiscal year 2012 (the fiscal year goes from July to June)! AAHI has accomplished so much this year and it could not have been done without the support we've received from our partners, volunteers, and community members!

In light of this, AAHI hosted an end-of-the-year celebration for the Health Promoters on June 28. It was a fun evening celebrating their hard work and dedication. There was an international pot-luck dinner, raffle drawings, and a review of the past year's accomplishments. We also had special guests from the AAHI Steering Committee, Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, and Holy Cross Hospital to present certificates of appreciation to each Health Promoter. Once again, thank you to all the Health Promoters - you are an integral part of AAHI!
06-28-12 Health Promoter Celebration

If you are interested in getting involved with AAHI as a Health Promoter or Steering Committee member, please check our website for more information about each program and the application.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

AAHI's July Newsletter

The July issue of AAHI's bi-monthly newsletter is now available online. If you don't receive our emails, click here to read the July newsletter. And you can always subscribe to our email list here.
 

Thursday, June 28, 2012

June is Men's Health month!

We're reaching the end of June, but it's not too late to be reminded that June is Men's Health month! The purpose of Men’s Health month is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. Statistics show that men's health is at great risk. On average, men die almost 6 years younger than women and suffer higher mortality rates for the top causes of death.

Start taking steps to improve your health today! Check out the flyer below or find out more at http://www.menshealthmonth.org/


Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Print ads promoting preventative benefits

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is promoting preventive benefits for a healthier life with print ads translated into Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean. The ads are currently running in in-language newspapers around the US. You can view the ads below and please feel free to share them with your communities.

Friday, June 8, 2012

Grants 102 Workshop

AAHI recently hosted the Grants 102 workshop on Wednesday, May 30. This was the third workshop in our Empowering Community Health Organizations (E.C.H.0.) Project, which provides practical and professional workshops designed to build the capacity and sustainability of community organizations that serve Asian Americans in Montgomery County.

The workshop was led by Kathleen Sheedy, Grants and Acquisition Manager for Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, who presented tips for effective grant writing, cultivating potential funders, and developing a budget. Attendees also worked in groups to develop a brief grant proposal and were able to network with the other participants. There were over 50 attendees representing 21 organizations. We want to thank our speaker, exhibitors, and attendees for making this a successful event!
05-30-12 ECHO Workshop #3

Monday, June 4, 2012

Video submission campaign at the American Diabetes Association

The Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Initiative at the American Diabetes Association is seeking videos from people who can share either their own diabetes experience or how diabetes has impacted their family. By sharing stories about diabetes within the AANHPI community, you can help address and end the stigma associated with this disease. Click here to watch a short clip featuring Jennifer’s story about how diabetes has impacted her family.

Video submissions are now being accepted! For details on how to submit, visit the website: http://www.diabetes.org/in-my-community/programs/aanhpi/aanhpi-video.html?loc=hpfeature3_aanhpi_may2012.

Friday, June 1, 2012

AAHI website under maintenance

The AAHI website is under maintenance and may not be available for the next few days. Sorry for the inconvenience, but you can peruse our blog in the meantime.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Request to complete a survey on South Asian health behavior

A Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is conducting a study to understand the health behaviors of South Asians in the United States and is looking for people to complete an online survey. Please see his message below.

 Dear South Asian community member:

I am writing to request your assistance to help improve South Asian health, given your valuable role representing an important segment of the South Asian community. Despite our rapid population growth and important contributions in this country, little public funds are spent on research to understand and address the unique health concerns that South Asians face. By focusing on South Asians specifically, I hope to help draw more resources to eventually help improve the health of this population. Accordingly, I am dedicating some of my time as a trainee to collect some preliminary data to support larger-scale funding of studies which prioritizes our community’s health.

It is with this commitment in mind that I request your assistance. The following link provides access to a brief health survey which I am hoping you might complete at a convenient time. For your time and effort to complete the survey, you will be entered into a raffle for a $250 gift certificate from the Apple Store.

Please feel free to forward this message to other networks of South Asians with whom you may interact. There will be multiple drawings for such prizes through the next few months.

I thank you in advance for your consideration. If you have any questions or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact me. In addition, if I can be of any assistance to you or your organization, please feel free to be in touch.

Link to South Asian health survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NatSAPH082411

Best regards,
Dr. Arnab Mukherjea
arnab.mukherjea@ucsf.edu

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Enroll for Rental Assistance Program, June 4-22

Montgomery County's Rental Assistance Program (RAP) will be open for enrollment between June 4-22, 2012. The County Rental Assistance Program is a Montgomery County funded program to help low-income households meet their monthly rental expenses. Assistance is available to legal residents who are disabled, elderly or households of two or more. Eligible customers can receive $50 to $200 per month towards their rental costs.

To apply, a completed pre-application must be postmarked, hand delivered, faxed or emailed between June 4-22, 2012. All households applying during this time period will be placed on a waiting list and randomly selected when openings in the program occur. Customers can call 240-777-4400 to receive a pre-application or can download it from the websitehttp://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/hhstmpl.asp?url=/content/hhs/SpecialNeedsHousing/RAPOHEP.asp

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Recap of Past Events

The past few weeks at AAHI have been busy, with several outreach events taking place in the community. Here's a brief recap of some of those events.

On Saturday, May 12, AAHI co-hosted a health fair for the Japanese community with the Japanese Christian Community Center of Washington and the DC-Japanese Mental Health Network. AAHI provided free screenings for osteoporosis, carbon dioxide, and blood pressure as well as education on various health topics. There were also two health lectures on mental health and dermatology.
05-12-12 JCCCW health fair

On Saturday, May 19, AAHI attended the Bait-ur-Rahman Women's Health Fair in Silver Spring. The health fair was part of the mosque's larger Sports Weekend event. AAHI helped invite other vendors to the event and provided osteoporosis screening, blood pressure screening, and health education.

On Sunday, May 20, AAHI attended the Chinese Culture and Community-Service Center (CCACC) Health and Community Services Fair. AAHI has enjoyed a long partnership with CCACC, attending several of their health fairs in the past. Again, AAHI provided osteoporosis screening and health education.
05-20-12 CCACC Health Fair

Thank you again to the many health promoters and community partners who joined us in making these events a success!

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Farewell Spring 2012 Interns

It's that time of year again; time to say farewell to our spring interns!

Jennifer Chang and YuTing Chen were both seniors, joining us from the University of Maryland School of Public Health. Their time as interns at AAHI was mutually beneficial for them and for AAHI. As public health students, they gained valuable exposure to the workings of a local health department. In turn, they were a great asset to AAHI's work in preparing and participating in outreach activities, researching and presenting on the Affordable Care Act, and supporting various projects such as the ECHO workshop and Japanese health fair.

As a final farewell activity, Jennifer and YuTing sat down for a short interview reflecting on their experience at AAHI.
When asked what they enjoyed most about the internship, Jennifer and YuTing both agreed it was the outreach events. Jennifer enjoyed interacting with people from different backgrounds and cultures. YuTing was particularly excited about using her Mandarin language skills to help community members who are limited English proficient.
When asked what skills they developed through the internship program, Jennifer noted an improvement in her communication skills, especially in the area of outreach. Initially, she was timid about approaching people at events but her communication skills and confidence grew through the many events she attended. YuTing said she developed better professional skills, learning how to communicate with colleagues and work in an office setting.  
And finally, their words of advice for future AAHI interns. From YuTing: There are lots of tasks so it's important to be organized. Use the project ticket spreadsheet to help prioritize and keep track of all the projects. From Jennifer: Stay organized and manage your time well, especially since other staff are depending on you.
Jennifer and YuTing, we appreciate all of your hard work and wish you all the best!


Thursday, May 10, 2012

Celebrating Domestic Violence Survivors during APA Heritage Month

Next Friday, May 18th, Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project (DVRP) will be celebrating and honoring courageous survivors of domestic violence. In 2011, 70 survivors chose to take steps towards freedom -- standing strong against abuse, control and power. These survivors represent 13 ethnicities, from as far east as Japan and as far west as Kazakhstan.

Join DVRP at the Courage to Survive Monologue Show and hear the stories of these brave individuals. To register/purchase tickets (suggested donation of $10): http://dvrpmonologues.eventbrite.com/

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

AAHI's May Newsletter

The May issue of AAHI's bi-monthly newsletter is now available online. If you don't receive our emails, click here to read the May newsletter. And you can always subscribe to our email list by clicking here.


Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Vacancies for Montgomery County Commission on Health

County Executive Isiah Leggett is seeking applicants to fill six vacancies on the Commission on Health for consumer and provider representatives. One incumbent provider representative is eligible to apply for reappointment.

The commission consists of 19 voting members, representing a cross section of consumers and providers of health care. The majority of the members must not be providers. Persons with an interest or background in public health are encouraged to apply. The commission advises the County Executive and County Council on public health programs, services, and facilities, and comments on any gaps, deficiencies or duplication of efforts. The group reports each year to the Executive and Council on a variety of health issues.

Members serve three-year terms without compensation, but are eligible for reimbursement for travel and dependent care for meetings attended. Meetings are held the third Thursday evening of each month at 6:00 PM in Rockville.

The deadline for application is May 16, 2012.

Applicants of diverse backgrounds, professions, gender, geography, disability and ethnicity are encouraged to apply. An application, consisting of a brief cover letter and resume, should be sent by mail to County Executive Isiah Leggett, 101 Monroe Street, 2nd Floor, Rockville, MD  20850, or by email to countyexecutive.boards@montgomerycountymd.gov. Home and employment addresses, as well as contact phone numbers and email addresses should be included. If appropriate, applicants should indicate the position for which they are applying.

Members of County boards, committees and commissions may not serve on more than one such group at a time. Members of these boards are eligible for reimbursement for travel and dependent care for meetings attended. Leggett’s appointments are subject to confirmation by the County Council. Applications of individuals selected for appointment are made public as part of the confirmation process.


Additional information can be found on the County's website.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

May is APA Heritage Month and High Blood Pressure Education Month

There's a lot to celebrate for the month of May!

First off, it's Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month. AAHI is proud to recognize and celebrate the many achievements of the diverse APA community. We especially want to thank the many APA partners, volunteers, community-based organizations, and faith-based organizations who strive to address the health needs of Asian Americans in Montgomery County. One way you can celebrate is by attending our Empowering Community Health Organizations (ECHO) workshop, Grants 102, on May 30. Please remember to register online by May 18!

May is also High Blood Pressure Education Month and Stroke Awareness Month. Approximately 1 in 3 U.S. adults — an estimated 76 million people — have high blood pressure, also called hypertension. High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke and the most important controllable risk factor for stroke. Coincidentally, AAHI recently decided to provide blood pressure screening in the community during outreach events. On April 30, Rosie Martin, RN, CDE CCM, a nurse diabetes educator with the African American Health Program, conducted a training for the health promoters to learn about high blood pressure and how to provide blood pressure screening in the community. AAHI is excited to provide this important screening in the community in the near future!

04-30-12 HP Training Blood Pressure

Friday, April 27, 2012

Montgomery County Council proclamation of National Minority Health Month

On Tuesday, April 24, the Montgomery County Council presented a proclamation in recognition of National Minority Health Month to the chairs of the Asian American Health Initiative Steering Committee, African American Health Program Executive Committee, and Latino Health Initiative Steering Committee. Research has shown that members of some minority groups may suffer substantially more health problems and expect to live 20 years less than others because of where they live, their race, their education and their income. With the commitment that every American should have the opportunity to live a healthier life, the members of the Council’s Health and Human Services Committee — George Leventhal, Craig Rice, and Nancy Navarro — presented the proclamation. AAHI thanks the County Council and Steering Committee for their continued support.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Community Meeting to discuss Genetic Testing: What is your Risk?

Montgomery County's Cancer Crusade is holding its annual community meeting on Wednesday, May 16 from 5:30pm - 8pm. The topic for this meeting is Genetic Testing: What is your Risk? Additional information can be found in the flyer below or by clicking here. Registration is required; call 301-896-3939.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Happy (belated) New Year!

Happy New Year to all those who celebrated this past week! AAHI celebrated at the Cambodian New Year Celebration and Sri Lankan New Year Festival on Sunday, April 15.

At the Cambodian celebration, AAHI used the wheel of health to educate on various cancers and provided health education on topics including diabetes, breast self examination, and hepatitis B screening. Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett also stopped by the AAHI table.
04-15-12 Cambodia New Year



At the Sri Lankan festival, AAHI conducted carbon monoxide screening and provided health education on diabetes, cancer, and breast self examination.
04-15-12 Sri Lankan New Year