2008 Health Summit

The 2008 Alaska Public Health Summit will be held December 1-3rd at the Hotel Sheraton in Anchorage. ALPHA is in the process of scheduling speakers and session topics are listed below with our call for sessions information. Please continue to check in at the website for additional information as it becomes available.

 

Alaska’s Health: Bridging the Gap - Call for Sessions

You are invited to submit proposal for sessions for the 2008 Alaska Health Summit.  Proposals are being accepted for Alaskan-based as well as national speakers addressing the following topics:

Workforce development:  Having a sustainable and competent workforce is vital to impacting the long-term health status of Alaskans.

Track co-chairs: Robert Sewell, 465-4065, Robert.sewell@alaska.gov
Sheila Wright, 264-6228, ansjw3@uaa.alaska.edu

Innovative approaches to public health practice: Evidence-based public health is essential to the efficient and effective use of limited resources to plan, implement and evaluation public health initiatives. 

Track Co-Chairs:  Diane Casto, 465-1188, l.casto@alaska.gov
Kathy O’Gara, 966-8736, kathyo@searhc.org

Using public health science:  Public health is strengthened through the use of a science perspective for program development and evaluation.  This track is intended to include how to assess and internet data systems, and using data to improve our public health practice.

Track Chair: Sandra Woods, 334-2250, Sandra.woods1@alaska.gov

Addressing social determinants and health disparities:  This track is intended to look at innovative approaches  that work to eliminate health disparities, as well as increase our understanding of social determinants of health and health disparities.

Track Chair: Pending.  Interim:  Jayne Andreen, 465-5729, jayne.andreen@alaska.gov   

Hot topics and emerging issues:  This track will focus on new trends and issues, as well as cutting edge and creative responses to these issues. Examples could include global warming, or meeting the health needs of returning vets.

Track co-Chairs: Karol Fink, 269-3457, karol.fink@alaska.gov
Penny Cordes, pmcordes@pobox.alaska.net

The Alaska Public Health Association is seeking presenters for the 26th Alaska Health Summit to be held at the Anchorage Sheraton on December 1-3, 2008.  Post-summit workshops will be offered December 4-5.  We would like to invite you to participate in the Summit by submitting a session proposal for consideration.  The selection of proposals is based on the information you provide, so please be thorough, clear and specific.  This will help the committee visualize what you plan to do and how you plan to do it. 

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the conference coordinator, Brenda Holden at brenda@iialaska.com or 907.450.2452.

You can submit a proposal either on-line at http://www.chems.alaska.gov/surveyor/survey.asp?s=01224080219112199 or by downloading the PDF version - Call for Sessions(PDF document).  Because you need to complete the on-line form in one internet session, it is a good idea to complete a draft using the attached form.  You may submit as many sessions as you have ideas.  Paper forms can be faxed to Information Insights at 907.450.2470  or sent to Information Insights, Inc.,  Box 73490,  Fairbanks, AK 99707.

Procedures for submitting a proposal for the 2008 Health Summit:

• Session proposals must be received by May 31st.   
• Session proposal should not use abbreviations or acronyms.  The following information should be included (a) Name, professional title (job title), complete mailing address with zip code, contact numbers and emails.
• The format should be appropriate for adult learners.
• The presentation cannot promote or endorse any commercial product or for-profit program.

Information teleconferences on how to submit a proposal will be on Monday, April 28th at 1:00 p.m., and Tuesday, May 6th at 9:00 a.m.  Dial toll free at 1.888.474.4635 or contact Brenda Holden at Information  Insights, 907.450.2452 to discuss any questions.  

The success of the Summit rests on the dedication of individuals, like you, committed to promoting the professional growth and development of the public health workforce.  We look forward to your participation in the conference and thank you for your consideration.  If you know of someone who might be interested in presenting, please feel free to give them a copy of this Call for Sessions.  Additional copies may also be downloaded here - Call for Sessions (PDF document).

Thank you,
Jayne Andreen, Health Summit Chair

2008 Health Summit

ALPHA’s mission, in a nut shell, is to advance the public’s health. The mission supports the vision: “Alaskan’s shall have the knowledge and means to live free of preventable illness and injury.”

The Health Summit is one of the Alaska Public Health Association’s major events. The purpose of the Summit is to provide educational opportunities to health care providers, public health practitioners, policy makers, and legislators on current topics of interest that influence the health of all Alaskans.

Advocacy is an important component of ALPHA’s work. The Association strives to educate, guide and influence issues affecting the public’s health through partnerships, advocating for and encouraging public involvement in public health processes, and participating in the development of public health laws and policies. The resolutions passed in 2007 are in support of: Insurance Coverage Expansion in Alaska; State funding to Community Health Centers and Safety Net Providers; Reducing Mercury Contamination from Coal Development; Establishing a State School Nurse Consultant; Establishing a Public Health Climate Change Program; Workforce Recruitment and Retention; Protecting and Enhancing Women's Ability to Obtain Safe, Legal Abortion.

This year, the board has chosen to focus on the following: The 2008 Health Summit to be held in Anchorage at the Sheraton on December 1-3; engaging and involving members in ALPHA; commitment to providing members with tangible benefits; Increasing communication and support to the members (newsletter, enhanced website); and engaging in public health advocacy.

The Board is excited, committed and energetic. Please let us know if you would like to serve on any committees this coming year or your ideas of how ALPHA can grow as an organization and better support the members. As the seasons change in 2008, I look forward to working with the Board, ALPHA members, and partners in advancing the public’s health. Please join us in our efforts!

 

2007 Presentations are up on the web!

To view the submitted 2007 PowerPoint presentations, go to the Summit Tracks. Presentations are divided by track topic and have been made into PDF format for universal viewing. If you do not have Adobe Reader on your computer, download it free at www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/.

File sizes are noted after the session title. There are quite a few files over 1 megabyte, I will be adding zipped files once I can get them together for faster downloading.