Public forum at WMU puts spotlight on teamwork in health professions

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—A public forum will address the importance of working in a team setting in the health professions and will feature high-ranking alumni of the Western Michigan University College of Health and Human Services.

In health care and human services, the ability to work effectively as a member of a team in a care setting is recognized as playing a critical role in professional success and the quality of care. Educating students to be able to work with people in other professions is a priority for the college.

The "Transforming Public Policy and Public Health: The Power of Inter-professionalism" forum is from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, in Room 1010 of the college. Dr. Amy Curtis, director of the WMU Center for Health Data Research, Analysis and Mapping and professor of interdisciplinary health sciences, will serve as moderator. Forum participants who will make opening remarks are involved directly in public health and public policy.

Forum participants

• Israil Ali, supervisory public health analyst and branch chief, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

• John E. Crews, health scientist, Vision Health Initiative, Division of Diabetes Translation at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• Bradley Finegood, assistant division director and substance abuse prevention and treatment coordinator, Mental Health, Chemical Abuse and Dependency Services Division, King County, Seattle.

• Dr. Amy Freeland, epidemiologist, senior research scientist office, Center for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Environmental Health.

• Julie Shroyer, senior policy advisor shareholder with Kansas City, Mo.- based law firm Polsinelli.

Also taking part in a question-and-answer discussion following opening remarks will be Dr. Cynthia Bournazos, crimson executive partner with The Advisory Board Company, a global research, technology and consulting firm; Gyl Kasewurm, owner of Professional Hearing Services; Imelda Reyes, clinical assistant professor and coordinator of the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program at Emory University; and Jane Vernon, a Veriditas certified labyrinth facilitator.

All nine of the alumni will be honored as Outstanding Alumni since 2002 during an induction ceremony after the forum.

For more information, visit wmich.edu/hhs/alumni14.

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