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2017 Presentations & Handouts

To access handouts for the sessions, click on the title of the session. If there are multiple handouts, they will be listed under the abstract. If there is not a handout available, it means the presenter has not provided the handout to be posted online. "No Handout" has been indicated for presentations where the presenter has notified us that there will not be a handout to post online.

Monday, June 12, 2017

1:00 – 4:30 PM

Grant Writing Workshop

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

7:30 – 11:30 AM

CAH Pre-Conference

8:30 – 11:30 AM

NDPHA Meeting

  • No Handout

11:45 – 12:45 PM

Lunch – Welcome and Announcements

12:45 – 1:45 PM

Keynote 1: Passion! 8 Steps to Reignite Yours
Mark J. Lindquist, CEO, Mark J Lindquist Motivational Speaking

ABSTRACT: As working professionals, we could all use a little jolt from time to time. This session may be the only time all year when you take a moment to reflect on things you need to do to reignite the passion that brought you into the workforce in the first place. World-touring entertainer and actor Mark J. Lindquist offers a keynote that is as entertaining as it is enlightening as he sends you out the door on fire.

  • No Handout

1:50 – 2:35 PM

Session 1: Occupational Therapy and Global Friends: A Partnership Facilitating Refugee Resettlement and Development of Critical Thinking, Reflective Practitioners
LaVonne Fox, PhD, OTR/L, Associate Professor, Graduate Director in Occupational Therapy, University of North Dakota
Sarah K. Nielsen, PhD, OTR/L, Associate Professor in Occupational Therapy, University of North Dakota
Debra Hanson, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Professor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, University of North Dakota
Janet Jedlicka, PhD, OTR/L, Chair and Professor Occupational Therapy, University of North Dakota

ABSTRACT: A partnership between the UND occupational therapy program and the Grand Forks-based Global Friends Coalition is described. Pairs of students provided assistance to refugees to enhance their participation within valued occupations in the community. A mixed-methods research design was used to capture outcomes of student learning. Implications for program evaluation and planning are discussed.


Session 2: American Indian Perceptions of Obesity and Its Effects on Healthy Lifestyles
Morgan Foster, MPH, CHES, Easter Seals Goodwill ND, Inc.

ABSTRACT: A qualitative obesity study was conducted on the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indian Reservation to determine opinions, beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions about obesity and its effect on healthy lifestyles among the reservation. A disproportionate number of American Indians are overweight, obese, and at a higher risk for other health concerns compared with the general population. Previous research has shown that anthropometrically American Indians have higher body mass indices and worse health than most of the general population. There is, however, a gap in the literature regarding American Indian’s perceptions, beliefs, opinions, and attitudes of obesity and its effects on their health. The purpose of this qualitative study is to determine whether American Indians view obesity as a major health concern. Focus groups and key-informant interviews were the data collection instruments used to obtain this information.


Session 3: ND CAH Quality Network & Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Journey
Jody Ward, MS, RN, APHN University of North Dakota, Center for Rural Health
Ben Bucher, FNP-BC, MPH, CEO, Towner County Medical Center
Wanda Kratochvil, Walsh County Health District

ABSTRACT: The presentation will inform participants about the ND Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility (Flex) Program activity and the ND Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Quality Network. The structure and development of the Network will be described. ND CAH quality improvement activity and efforts for CAHs to sustain the quality of care provided by CAHs to ensure that rural citizens receive high quality care.


Session 4: Poster Presentations:
Pharmacy Pathways to Public Health
Kaylee Davidson, PharmD Student, North Dakota State University
Mark Strand, PhD, Professor, North Dakota State University

ABSTRACT: This poster describes the critical steps in the pathway for pharmacists to be in a position to more substantively contribute to the achievement of public health goals.

Hunger and Health: A Point of Convergence
Mary Larson, BA, MPH, PhD, Assistant Professor, North Dakota State University
Jaden Witt, BA, MPH, Graduate Research Student, North Dakota State University

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to learn about the perspectives of anti-hunger advocates and healthy food advocates on the problems of food insecurity, hunger, and health. Polarity mapping will be used to find a convergence point between the positions of addressing hunger and addressing health.

A Wholistic Model to Characterize Well-being During Mid-Life
Xiaozheng Yang, MPH Student, North Dakota State University
Mark Strand, PhD, Professor, North Dakota State University

ABSTRACT: This poster describes a model for whole health for middle-aged persons, with consideration of the role of socioeconomic status and health behaviors in good mental health.

3:25 – 4:10 PM

Session 5: Interprofessional Student Community-based Learning Experience (ISCLE)
Eric Johnson, MD, Associate Professor, Director of Interprofessional Education, University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences
Teri Undem, R.Ph. Director Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience/Pharmacy Practice, North Dakota State University
Mary Amundson, M.A., Director, Office of Primary Care, University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences

ABSTRACT: The University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University have implemented Interprofessional Health Care Course with several different health professional educational programs participating in the course each year. Other interprofessional activities at the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences have included two interprofessional-based Health Resources Services and Administration (HRSA) grant funded programs that introduced students to team-based care in rural and/or underserved communities. These summer opportunities were dependent upon federal funding, only students in HRSA-recognized disciplines could participate.

Research shows students gain a better understanding of problems resulting from a lack of coordinated care, such as cost, duplication of services and short term hospital readmissions by participating in team-based activities. The ISCLE program has been integrated into clinical rotations for pharmacy and medical students and has become part of the normal workflow for students on their rotation. Other students at ISCLE communities are encouraged and welcome to participate in this activity.


Session 6: New American Services and Refugee Experience
Reginald Tarr, BSW, Site Supervisor, Resettlement Services, Lutheran Social Services New Americans

ABSTRACT: Under U.S. and international law, a refugee is someone outside his or her own country with a well-founded fear of persecution in that country based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Most refugees’ deepest desire is to be able to return to their homeland in peace and safety. They are willing to wait long time in refugee camps and dangerous settings for that possibility. Resettlement in a new country is available to less than 1% of the world’s refugees as the last resort for those who cannot return to their homes and for whom it is not possible to survive or rebuild their lives in a nearby country. Refugees are fleeing the same kind of terror which we have seen unfolding around the world. We cannot forget that refugees are families, the children, and the most vulnerable among us who have lost everything.

  • No Handout

Session 7: Making a difference: How Stakeholders are Working Together to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screenings in North Dakota
Joyce Sayler, R.N., Community Partnership Coordinator, North Dakota Department of Health
Shannon Bacon, MSW, Health Systems Manager, American Cancer Society – Great West Division
Nikki Medalen, Quality Improvement Specialist, Quality Health Associates of North Dakota

ABSTRACT: North Dakota (ND) is among the states with the lowest colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates and highest CRC incidence in the US. This presentation describes how stakeholders are joining together through the North Dakota Colorectal Cancer Roundtable to develop local solutions and utilize support and resources from the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable’s 80% by 2018 Initiative.


Session 8: Poster Presentations:
Perception of Tobacco Product Usage Among the Refugee Populations of the Fargo-Moorhead Area
Raihan Khan, MBBS, Doctoral Student, North Dakota State University
Andrea Huseth-Zosel, PhD, Assistant Professor, North Dakota State University

ABSTRACT: Fargo-Moorhead twin cities are a major hub for the refugee population settled in the Minnesota and North Dakota. Little was known about the perception of these diverse communities on tobacco product usage. This study tried to understand those issues from the public health aspect.

Mobile Apps for Rural Providers and Patients of Behavioral and Mental Health
Dawn Hackman, M.S., AHIP, Northwest Clinical Campus Librarian, University of North Dakota

ABSTRACT: Mobile apps and mobile-optimized websites have a variety of potential uses in rural healthcare settings, especially in the areas of behavioral and mental health treatment. The presenter will provide an overview of many high quality mobile apps and mobile-optimized websites that are freely available, as well as provide suggestions for their effective use within the rural healthcare setting.

The Utilization of GIS to Enhance Health Status Data Communication
Milan Vu, BS, Public Health Associate, North Dakota Department of Health

ABSTRACT: Geographic location plays a role in health status, access, and outcomes. While GIS tools have been applied extensively in environmental health, infectious disease, and public health emergencies, applications in chronic disease and cancer are relatively new. This project will illustrate methods of enhancing chronic disease related data visualization and communication using mapping tools.


Wednesday, June 14, 2017

8:10 – 9:10 AM

Keynote 2: The Value of Traveling Upstream Together: New Approaches, New Partners
Tom Quade, MPH, MA, President, American Public Health Association; Health Commissioner for Marion County, Ohio, American Public Health Association

ABSTRACT: The presentation will provide an orientation to Public Health 3.0 as described by the Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Health and Human Services within the context of moving upstream with novel community partners to address underlying social determinants of many of our public health problems.


9:15 – 10:15 AM

Buzz Session

You will select 3 topics tables to attend with 20 minutes per table (a horn will sound and you will switch tables). Each hot topic table will have a facilitator. You must attend all three sessions to receive continuing education credits.

11:00 – 11:45 AM

Session 9: POLST (Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment) in North Dakota
Denise Andress, RN, MBA, Director, Western North Dakota Area Health Education Center
Nancy Joyner, RN, MS, CEO, Nancy Joyner Consulting, P.C.

ABSTRACT: Some North Dakotans have benefited from Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST), which is designed to improve the quality of healthcare people receive by translating their wishes for into medical orders. The form is used to assist healthcare professionals in honoring treatment desires of their patients across various care settings beyond the use of current healthcare directives.


Session 10: Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant (SPF SIG) – Mentoring Program
Lenae Strand, Wells County District Health Unit
Brittany Long, Wells County District Health Unit

ABSTRACT: The Wells County Mentoring Program was formed after concerned citizens in our county met with our then Director of Nursing, Karen Volk, RN. They specifically asked for a program to be started in the Harvey area. After months of planning, research, the now Policies and Procedures were accepted by the SPF-SIG review panel for evidenced-based program.


Session 11: Non-Dental Health Professionals Addressing Oral Health Disparities
Shawnda Schroeder, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, University of North Dakota, Center for Rural Health

ABSTRACT: This presentation will identify populations in need of oral health services in North Dakota while focusing on how health providers in the State (other than dental professionals) have been providing dental care. Learn about how long term care, primary care, and public health providers are, or can be, addressing the oral health needs of North Dakota residents.


Session 12: Sleep in the Family Context: Opportunities for Sleep Health Promotion
Michael Mead, BS, North Dakota State University

ABSTRACT: This presentation will review the empirical support for the critical role of sleep in the family context, describe preliminary attempts to promote sleep health using family-centered strategies, and provide directions for future research.

1:00 – 2:00 PM

Keynote 3: Reducing Your Stress While Getting Along with Difficult People
Joel Weintraub, M.Ed, BS, Humor for the Health of it

ABSTRACT: In order to get along with difficult people we must learn how to center ourselves and stay in a positive emotional frame. Within one hour you will learn how your emotions interfere with critical thinking and how to harness the power of the Pre-Frontal cortex for intelligent and creative problem solving. You will also learn how to disarm confrontational behavior and how to turn potential adversaries into respectful partners working toward a common goal. Topping off this seminar will be information on the power of humor and its role in difficult situations and turning frustrating experiences into humorous dramatizations.

  • No Handout

2:30 – 4:35 PM

Intensive 1a: Changing Systems: Chiropractors as Potential Providers of the U.S. Public Health Service's Clinical Practice Guidelines, Treating Tobacco Use and Dependency: 2008 Update
Kelly Buettner-Schmidt, PhD, RN, Associate Professor, North Dakota State University
Brody Maack, PharmD, Assistant Professor, North Dakota State University
Heidi Heim, Director of Career Services and Experiential Education, University of Jamestown
Katelyn Rykal, Project Coordinator, North Dakota State University
Allen Hager, Chiropractor, Essentia Health

ABSTRACT: A pilot study incorporating health systems changes for tobacco dependency in the chiropractic setting is described. The session includes a review of literature; selected portions the ND Healthcare Provider Survey; a discussion by chiropractors on the opportunities and challenges to change their systems; the study’s methods, including educational content and strategies; and preliminary results.

  • No Handout

Intensive 1b: "Security Assessment" Homeland Security
Don Ronsberg, Protective Security Advisor, North Dakota District

ABSTRACT: This presentation provides information to Public Health participants on services provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for overall security, protective measures and resiliency for day-to-day operations, staff members, patrons, customers or clients. Services include free security assessments, information sharing tools and training opportunities.


Intensive 2: Community Building Simulation
Mary Larson, BA, MPH, PhD, Assistant Professor, North Dakota State University
Abby Gold, Vice Chair/Associate Professor Department of Public Health, North Dakota State University
Stefanie Meyer, Academic Coordinator, Department of Public Health, North Dakota State University
Andrea Huseth-Zosel, PhD, Assistant Professor, North Dakota State University
Mark Strand, PhD, Professor, North Dakota State University
Jaden Witt, MPH, Graduate Research Student, North Dakota State University

ABSTRACT: Some prejudice is obvious, but other times it occurs more subtly. This interactive workshop places participants in a community-building simulation. Participants will face a variety of "real-life" situations and issues such as prejudice and an uncooperative system as they try to build their community. Processing and discussion will follow the community-building simulation as well as ideas for change.

  • No Handout

Intensive 3a: Preparing and Sharing a Strong Rural Health Message
Shawnda Schroeder, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, University of North Dakota, Center for Rural Health

ABSTRACT: In this session, you will learn about the Dissemination of Rural Health Research toolkit and how important it is to share rural health success stories, lessons learned, and a strong rural health message. This toolkit assists rural health providers and public health units in developing useful resources for legislators, the public, other health professionals, and more. The presentation will cover fact sheets, policy briefs, brochures, social media, infographics, and other methods of information dissemination.


Intensive 3b: Health Literacy: Definitions and System Approaches
Annie Nickum, Research & Education Librarian, UND Health Sciences Library

ABSTRACT: Health literacy is the ability of an individual to process health information and use that information to inform their healthcare decisions. Rates are staggeringly low for a large portion of the population. It is an issue that applies to every field of healthcare and to every individual. Understanding how the body functions normally determines how it is treated. Understanding what healthcare professionals are saying when the body functions abnormally determines the patient’s level of compliance. Assessing consumers for health literacy is difficult – many do not ask for clarification and there are few who will admit to not understanding. The people who need help are not always the obvious ones. Addressing the issue takes a mixture of patients, thorough understanding, and compassion. In this presentation, we will address what exactly health literacy is, who it affects, common misconceptions, how to assess consumers at all levels, and the best method for education.


Intensive 4a: Blue Alliance: Building Strategic Partnerships
Chelsey Matter, RRT, MPH, Director Provider Partnerships, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota
Lacey Bergh, RN, Director Clinical Excellence, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota
Stefanie Meyer, Academic Coordinator, Department of Public Health, North Dakota State University
Dawn Brenamen, RN, Manager Health Informatics, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota

ABSTRACT: SAs a nonprofit insurer we are working with doctors and hospitals to improve quality that could ultimately decrease the cost of care. As healthcare spending continues to increase, the solution isn’t simply to cut costs. It requires a complete paradigm shift in how we think about and approach health.

  • No Handout

Intensive 4b: Better Patient Care Better Bottom Line
Sue Deitz, MPH, Regional Vice President, National Rural Accountable Care Consortium
Darrold Bertsch, CEO, Sakakawea Medical Center
Chastity Dolbec, RN, BSN, Director of Patient Care & Innovation, Coal Country Community Health Center

ABSTRACT: Rural providers cannot be left behind in the volume to value transformations. Ms. Deitz will identify strategies to successfully participate in Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) including Alternative Payment Models (APMs) and the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). She will outline federal assistance that is available to assist providers in setting up billable care coordination and quality reporting programs that can improve quality and financial performance in rural settings.


Thursday, June 15, 2017

8:00 – 9:00 AM

Health Policy Panel: North Dakota Legislative Update
Senator Joan Heckaman, B.S., M.S, North Dakota Senate
Representative Jon Nelson, North Dakota House of Representatives
Representative Marvin Nelson, North Dakota House of Representatives

ABSTRACT: Three North Dakota legislators will discuss the 2017 legislative session and the outcomes related to healthcare.

9:10 – 10:10 AM

Keynote 4: Current and Future Models of Integrated Care
Andrew McLean, MD, Medical Director, North Dakota Department of Human Services

ABSTRACT: Behavioral and primary/public healthcare integration is being utilized to enhance efficiencies and healthcare outcomes. There are various models currently in place. This presentation will include an overview of models and expand on those which may be most helpful in our region.

10:15 – 11:00 AM

Session 13: Opioid Use Issues: All the Players
Andrew McLean, MD, Medical Director, North Dakota Department of Human Services

ABSTRACT: Opioid use is an enormously complex issue with the need for multiple solutions. This presentation will review the current data and efforts at prevention and treatment of opioid use disorders.


Session 14: What’s Data Got to Do with It? Using and Understanding Data to Improve Programs
Andrea Huseth-Zosel, PhD, Assistant Professor, North Dakota State University
Abby Gold, Vice Chair/Associate Professor Department of Public Health, North Dakota State University
Rick Jansen, Assistant Professor, North Dakota State University
Mary Larson, BA, MPH, PhD, Assistant Professor, North Dakota State University

ABSTRACT: Understanding public health data to be able to use it appropriately in practice is important. This session will focus on public health data, including evaluating public health data sources, identifying the types of data that are available, interpreting the data, and explaining how to use data to prioritize community health objectives.


Session 15: The Importance of Population Health: The UND SMHS Biennial Report as a Tool for Better Health
Gary Hart, PhD, Director, Center for Rural Health, University of North Dakota
Brad Gibbens, MPA, Deputy Director, Center for Rural Health, University of North Dakota
Mandi-Leigh Peterson, MA, GISc, Research Analyst, Center for Rural Health, University of North Dakota

ABSTRACT: The School of Medicine & Health Sciences (SMHS) Advisory Council is required to provide a biennial report to the legislature every two years. The Center for Rural Health is responsible for collecting the data used in the biennial report and for writing a majority of the document. This presentation will discuss data collection, aggregation, and significant findings.

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM

Session 16: Healthy Opportunities for Physical Activity and Nutrition (HOP'N) at Home: Teaching Young Children to Pester Their Parents for Home Environmental Change
Tanis Walch, Kinesiology and Public Health Education Programs, University of North Dakota

ABSTRACT: Insufficient physical activity, excessive sedentary behavior (screen time) and insufficient fruit and vegetable consumption may contribute to childhood obesity. Children’s decisions to be physically active or sedentary, and their eating behaviors are made in the context of the choices parents and adults provide them. Additionally, young children (3-5 years) depend more on their parents and other adults for guidance and building their skills for making healthy choices compared to older children. To make sustainable health behavior changes in children, parents and adults should be targeted to provide healthful options and build children’s skill to promote healthful behavior to prevent obesity. The Healthy Opportunities for Physical Activity and Nutrition (HOP’N) Home project is a novel approach to reach parents through child care centers to prevent obesity. This approach links child care settings to home environments by developing children’s asking skills (pestering) for healthful home environmental change through child care activities.


Session 17: Melding the Collaborative and ECHO Models to ECQIP Quality Improvement
Colette Hesla, RN, MBA, Clinical Quality Specialist, Community Health Care Association of the Dakotas

ABSTRACT: ECHO/Collaborative Quality Improvement Project (ECQIP) is a hybrid of the Collaborative and ECHO models and will mesh QI training from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement with shared learning webinars, practice coaching, time for Community Health Centers (CHCs) to test ideas, and discussions on lessons learned. ECQIP enables a learning community for CHCs and partners to collaborate on evidence-based QI projects. This presentation will discuss ECQIP and its application in cervical cancer screening.