Women's Health Series Part 2: Menopause

Speaker: Sima Kahn, MD -

Sima Kahn, a Certified Menopause Practitioner, has always been a passionate advocate for her patients and founded Healthcare Advocacy Partners in 2009 to fill a critical gap in the healthcare system. After almost 25 years of Obstetrics and Gynecology practice, Sima’s breadth of clinical experience has given her a deep understanding of the complexities of the medical system and the overwhelming confusion patients often feel when faced with significant health situations.

A component of NAHAC’s mission is to support public education and foster effective self-advocacy.  During this teleconference session Terry will address the following topics:

• Dr. Kahn explains the biology of menopause, discuss symptoms, review the latest findings on the use of hormone therapy and offer suggestions to manage this stage of life.
• This session will educate you more fully on this important women’s health issue and help you to communicate better with doctors about symptoms and treatment options.

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Help is a Four-Legged Word™

Speaker: Becky Miller -

Canine Companions for Independence® (CCI) provides highly-trained assistance dogs for children and adults with disabilities, free of charge. The most advanced technology capable of transforming the lives of people with disabilities has a cold nose and a warm heart!”

Becky Miller is an Instructor for Canine Companions for Independence. She has been training service dogs for people with disabilities with the organization for 6 1/2 years. She has always had a deep passion for working with animals and holds a Bachelor's of Science degree in psychology with an emphasis in animal behavior from St. Mary's College of California. She is currently enrolled in veterinary technician school and holds a position on the Board of Directors for Zoofari Inc, an animal conservation/education non-profit.

Points covered include:

• The breeding, puppy raising, and final training of the dogs
• The application process for those seeking a canine companion.
• The types of assistance the dogs provide
• Outreach to Veterans
• Prison puppy raising programs

Additional Resources

• Canine Companions Wounded Veterans Initiative: Calvin and Service Dog Chesney
  Watch Video »
• Air Force Veteran Jason and Canine Companions Service Dog Napal
  Watch Video »
• Wounded Veterans Initiative
  Watch Video »
• One Team, Two Heroes
  Watch Video »
• Comfort Dogs on the Diane Rehm Show
  Read Blog Entry »

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An Overview of the California system of providing for the needs of persons with developmental disabilities

Speaker: Terry DeBell, R.N. -

Terry DeBell, a registered nurse for more than 40 years, currently serves on the boards of several organizations involved in services for people with developmental disabilities.  She also serves on a Governor’s Advisory Board and frequently gives testimony to the California Legislature.  Her primary focus is on those with a severe or profound disability who are presently served in two of California's Developmental Centers.  She is closely involved with the closure of one other Developmental Center, working with other families, the Department of Developmental Services, and Regional Centers to ensure that the residents are able to transition to a non-DC community setting safely and successfully.

A component of NAHAC’s mission is to support public education and foster effective self-advocacy. During this teleconference session Terry will address the following topics:

• An historical perspective on the treatment of people with disabilities, from ancient times to the present.  Attitudes from Greek and Roman philosophers, major world religions and science have shaped a cultural perception of disability that is, on the one hand quite negative, but on the other hand very person-centered.
• The effects of the Lanterman Act which requires provision of  social services for every person with developmental disabilities in the State of California; the Supreme Court decision ruling in favor of the Olmstead Act which guarantees that people with developmental disabilities have the right to live in the “least restrictive” environment.
• The complicated and, at times, divisive process of moving residents from large developmental centers to community based services.

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The Keys to Health Care Advocacy for Persons with Developmental Disabilities

Speaker: Cecelia Ramsey -

Cecelia Ramsey, Executive Director of the Developmental Services Continuum, Inc. (DSC), became a passionate advocate for person with developmental disabilities through the lifelong influence of her brother Patrick, a gentle soul who passed away in 2001. She began her career as a Psychiatric Technician, working in three California Developmental Centers over 10 years.  She later moved into community based care, serving in steadily advancing positions at service provider organizations in San Diego County.  Before her current position of Executive Director at DSC she served as Director of Consumer Affairs for the organization.  She continues to serve as an Instructor in the Certified Direct Support Professional program through the San Diego County Office of Education.

During this teleconference session Cecilia covered:

• Barriers to health care in the age of managed care
• Chronic medical and behavioral concerns
• Navigating the terrain of health providers “capacity” perceptions
• Teaching support personnel how to be an advocate for the people they serve

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Primary Veteran Diagnosis: PTSD/Moral Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Veteran as an Important Piece of Patient History

Speakers: Alice Herb, JD, LL.M & Dave Eling -

Alice Herb, JD, LL.M & Dave Eling, Director of the West Michigan Veterans Service Center; Director of the Muskegon Veterans Administration

Dave Eling is a Muskegon native; graduated Muskegon High School 1967; entered US Air Force January 1968 retired February 1988; Hired as Director West Michigan Veterans Service Center 1990; Instrumental in the formation of West Michigan Veterans, Inc. in 1992 and the Muskegon County Department of Veterans Affairs 1994; Dave has been the Director of all three entities since their inception.


Points covered include:

• PTSD/Moral Injury
• Traumatic Brain Injuries in Veterans
• Initiative to recognize being a Veteran as another Vital Sign

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Lessons Learned In a Ten-Year Journey Through Childhood Cancer

Speaker:  Dr. Julia Hallisy -

Dr. Julia Hallisy, The Empowered Patient Coalition, obtained her BS in Biological Science from the University of San Francisco in 1984 and a second Bachelor's degree from the University of California in Dental Sciences. In 1988, Dr. Hallisy also received her Doctorate in Dental Surgery from the University of California at San Francisco School of Dentistry. Since then, she has been in continuous private practice in San Francisco, California.

Her second child, Katherine Eileen, was diagnosed at five months of age with bilateral retinoblastoma. Dealing with her daughter's life-threatening diagnosis, the many recurrences of cancer, and the subsequent treatments for the malignant and aggressive tumors marked the beginning an almost 20-year involvement in our healthcare system. The unique combination of her scientific training, her work as a healthcare provider, and guiding a child through a chronic illness has afforded her invaluable insight as an advocate for patients.

In 2008, Dr. Hallisy founded the non-profit organization The Empowered Patient Coalition and co- authored The Empowered Patient Guide to Hospital Care for Patients and Families. The organization provides an advocate directory, factsheets and checklists, SBAR communication tools for patients, pocket guides, a patient reporting survey and hospital and community training sessions on patient safety and advocacy issues.

During this session Dr. Hallisy describes her family's ten-year journey through childhood advocacy. She explains how a patient advocate would have helped them navigate a difficult path. Especially useful is an advocate's ability to help the family focus on their immediate goals as well as organizing and categorizing priorities.

Additional Resources

Related resources from Julia:

• www.empoweredpatientcoalition.org/fact-sheets-a-checklists
• www.empoweredpatientcoalition.org/resources-and-links

The Empowered Patient Decision Support App:

• www.empoweredpatientcoalition.org/resources-and-links/decision-support-app

Report an adverse medical event:

• www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZJT6H6D

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Ethical Wills – What You Have Learned Is As Valuable As What You Have Earned...

Speaker: Susan Turnbull

Susan Turnbull founded Personal Legacy Advisors in 2002 out of great respect for the ancient ethical will, and has become an internationally known advocate for non-binding personal legacy documents as a meaningful component of estate, financial and philanthropic planning.  A former journalist, she has ghostwritten and edited numerous ethical wills and personal histories, is the author of The Wealth of Your Life: A Step-by-Step Guide for Creating Your Ethical Will and co-author of Between Generations: A Five Step Guide for Creating an Expression of Donor Intent. She is also the creator of LifeLegacy Cards, prompts for insightful conversation and writing.

Susan is a graduate of Colby College and the parent of three young adult children. She and her husband live in greater Boston.

Your wealth and your legacy have both tangible and intangible dimensions.
During this session our speaker addressed the following topics:

1. The definition and history of Ethical Wills
2. Why creating an Ethical Will is a valuable experience
3. How Ethical Wills can be implemented in your own lives
4. How the concept of an Ethical Will can be introduced into your client experiences

Additional Resources

• The Neglected Step in Planning: Thoughtfully Transmitting Intangible Wealth (pdf)
• Presentation Slides (pdf)

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