OHSU Week

“Health literacy” describes a person’s ability to understand and process health information — and it’s deeply affected by the complexity of the message, the physical and emotional state of the listener, and much more. OHSU’s Creative Director Megan Pugmire and Family Medicine Physician Cliff Coleman are both deeply involved in work that’s focused on improving health communications. The two of them sat down to talk about what staff members at OHSU can do to present complicated information in a way that makes sense for all. Guests include: • Megan Pugmire, Creative Director, OHSU Marketing • Cliff Coleman, Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Clinical Thread Director for Professionalism, Ethics, and Communication, OHSU School of Medicine

Employee benefits are one of the most important aspects of a person’s employment, and are often a factor in the decision to join or stay with an organization. OHSU will hold its annual Open Enrollment beginning October 21st, when employees have the chance to choose a benefits package that best meets their needs. Guests include: Andrea Cahoe Supervisor, HR Service Center

On Sunday, Oct. 27, OHSU, Portland Fire and Rescue, American Medical Response and Portland Police, will participate in a full-scale active shooter simulation exercise. Practice and preparation for the worst could save lives and improve OHSU’s ability to respond. Tom Forsyth Training Lieutenant, OHSU Police Heath Kula Chief, OHSU Police, Director, Public Safety Susan Ferguson Health Care Emergency Manager

Introducing kids to health careers in middle school and high school significantly improves their chances of continuing their education in a health science field. An OHSU program called On Track is working with Oregon middle and high schools to increase the number of students from underrepresented minority backgrounds in the health sciences and in Oregon's biomedical workforce. Guests include: Kathryn Lenahan - Program Manager Azalea Martinez - Administrative Coordinator Danielle Jones - Program Coordinator

The Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute, OCTRI, community research hub is working to improve the health and wellness of all Oregonians. Engaging researchers, community members and organizations together - to support each other in community-based research. Guests include: Jackie Shannon - Professor Steven Blakesley – OCTRI, Senior Research Assistant Marlene Putman - Administrator, Tillamook County Health & Human Services Department

The Pacific Northwest Transplant Bank, based at OHSU, is part of a national network that collaborates with hospitals to bring organ and tissue donations to the recipients who need them. Executive Director Mike Seely shared with us some of the meaningful stories that have kept him going over 28 years with OHSU – and how we can register as donors ourselves. Guests include: Mike Seely outgoing executive director, Pacific Northwest Transplant Bank

The Spark Health Evaluation program is a starting point for understanding your health and what risk factors you may face. Spark offers anyone who completes a Spark Health Evaluation free enrollment in a Health Enhancement Program. Guests include: Kimberly Regner Program Technician Beth Kempton Senior Research Associate

In May, nearly two thirds of OHSU employees shared their voices in the 2019 employee survey. In August, those results were shared with leaders. And by October 31, those leaders will share the department's results with their teams. All of this leads to action planning as a team, which needs to be completed by the end of January. Guests include: Katy Fonner Senior Organizational Development Consultant

Investigation and discovery drive OHSU’s research environment — and bringing those discoveries to people who need them. Strengthening that path from the research lab to the clinic is where research meets human health. Guests include: Jonathan Jubera – Project Manager, OCTRI Melissa Mudd – Research Associate, OCTRI

As health disparities in underserved communities grow, the Youth Engaged in Science, YES! Program, strives to expose underrepresented students to science, scientific research and careers in related fields. The goal is to get kids excited about science through education, mentorship and hands-on experience to end health disparities in underserved communities. Guests include: Binyam Nardos - Post Doctoral Scholar, Behavioral Neuroscience Anita Randolph - Post Doctoral Scholar, Psychiatry Research Damien Fair - Associate Professor, Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychiatry, Associate Scientist, Advanced Imaging Research Center

OHSU’s faculty senate is made up of thirty-one senators representing twenty-seven hundred OHSU faculty members. Senators are elected by their respective schools or units to be a voice of the faculty. Guests include: Karen Eden – President of Faculty Senate, Professor Medical Informatics & Clinical Epidemiology Kristina DeShazo – Senator, Director of Collection Management, OHSU Library Terri Holter – Faculty Senate Administrative Assistant

OHSU employees purchase over 13,000 TriMet passes each year. This year, OHSUians are moving to the HOP Fast pass. Learn more about why OHSU is making this transition, how you can get your HOP pass and the future of commuting to OHSU with the new SW Corridor light rail line - this week on OHSU Week. Guests include: Jenny Cadigan – Transportation Program Manager Charlie Gannon – Commute Coordinator

Employees are entitled to a reasonable break time to express breast milk for their nursing child. OHSU’s Workplace Expression of Breast Milk Advisory Committee or WEBMAC has worked with OHSU to designate several locations to give mothers a private place to breastfeed or pump breast milk. The committee is also available for support and advice. Guests include: Joanne Edwards OHSU Childbirth/Parenting Educator

A new book written by Dr. Alisha Moreland-Capuia, takes her work and research with young people in the Multnomah County Juvenile Justice system and as a practicing psychiatrist to focus on trauma-informed practices and the role in improving the health of individuals while creating positive system change. Guests include: Dr. Alisha Moreland-Capuia, assistant professor of psychiatry, OHSU School of Medicine, and executive director of the OHSU Avel Gordly Center for Health and Healing.

Working in health care involves more than providing patients with medical care and services; it also involves experiencing emotions that can be very difficult to process. Schwartz Rounds – which are new to OHSU – provide a forum for caregivers and others to share their feelings, their experiences and their vulnerabilities, and to help each other work through the process of healing the pain. Guests include: • Fernando Serna, Chaplain • Bob Macauley, Medical Director, Pediatric Palliative Care