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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Eduardo R. Ochoa, MD, College of Medicine and Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 800 Marshall, Slot 900, Little Rock, AR 72202, Nancy E. Dockter, BA, Office of Community-Based Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, 4301 W. Markham St., Mail Slot 820, Little Rock, AR 72205, Hosea W. Long, MA, Office of Human Resources, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham St., Mail Slot 564, Little Rock, AR 72205, Creshelle R. Nash, MD, MPH, Division of General Internal Medicine; Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health Department of Health Policy & Management;, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham St., Mail Slot 820, Little Rock, AR 72205, (501) 526-6608, NashCreshelleR@uams.edu, Willa B. Sanders, MPA, Office of the Dean, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, 4301 W. Markham St., Mail Slot 820, Little Rock, AR 72205, Carla C. Sparks, BS, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health Department of Health, Office of Community-Based Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, 4301 W. Markham St., Mail Slot 820, Little Rock, AR 72205, M. Kate Stewart, MD, MPH, College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street, Slot 820, Little Rock, AR 72205, Billy R. Thomas, MD, MPH, College of Medicine Center for Diversity Affairs; Department of Neonatology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham, Mail Slot 625, Little Rock, AR 72205, and H. Otis Tyler, MS, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham St., Mail Slot 522, Little Rock, AR 72205.

Access to language assistance services in the healthcare setting has emerged as an important component of offering quality healthcare services to a rapidly growing limited English proficient (LEP) population. The increase in the foreign-born population is no longer a phenomenon confined to traditional immigrant centers. Healthcare institutions in emerging Latino communities struggle with limited infrastructure, institutional inertia and insensitivity to provide language assistance services. However, coalition building from within organizations can serve as a catalyst for change. In early 2005, a diverse group of faculty, staff and administrators from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences formed an ad-hoc task force to strategize on ways to engage top administrators on health and healthcare disparities. The group articulated a set of issues and goals to address under this theme and presented them in written form to the Chancellor prior to seeking a meeting. The task force's aim of addressing healthcare disparities within the institution was endorsed by the Chancellor, with language assistance services identified as an area of immediate focus. The task force outlined a plan that addresses coordination of language access services, workforce development, data gathering, policy development and personnel needs to serve the LEP population. In less than a year, the growing of the coalition has progressed due to having: 1) a diverse core of manageable size and stability; 2) trust, confidentiality, respect and open dialog; 3) thoughtful analysis and deliberation about goals and objectives; 4) sensitivity to institutional political realities; 5) like-minded individuals in key positions; 6) informed supervisors of members prior to moving forward with the Chancellor; and 7) careful framing of the issue given national mandates to provide language assistance within local context.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the learner will be able to

• Describe a model process for building a diverse coalition within an academic medical center to address healthcare disparities;
• Identify important factors for a successful group process to articulate goals and objectives.

Keywords: Underserved Populations, Access to Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No