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  • Community Conversations About COVID-19

Community Conversations About COVID-19


Upcoming Community Conversation -
April 12, 2021 | 11am (PT) / 2pm (ET)


More Information Coming Soon!

 

COVID-19 & the Impact of Vaccines | March 8, 2021

In the messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine trials, COVID-19 vaccines are primarily being tested to determine whether they prevent a person from getting sick, from having a prolonged illness, or hospitalization. Importantly, these clinical trials are not focused on whether a vaccine prevents someone from getting the virus at all. In other words, a COVID-19 vaccine may benefit the individual who gets vaccinated, but the virus may still invade the body and it’s possible – if not likely – that a vaccinated person can still spread the virus to others. This is a critical distinction that has received little attention.  During this Community Conversation, Dr. Larry Corey will discuss the open questions about transmission and explore what behavior is still necessary as we navigate through the pandemic.

Objectives:
  1. Explain how mRNA vaccines differ from other existing vaccines and those new vaccines on the horizon of approval in the near future
  2. Learn about the scope of protection of the vaccines (prevention of infection vs. impact on transmission)
  3. Discuss what we know about the new variants of the COVID-19 virus​ ​

Speakers:
  • Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (Quality & Safety/OBGYN), Swedish Health Services
  • Larry Corey, MD, Professor of Medicine and Virology,  UW School of Medicine and a Professor in the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division/ Past President and Director of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center​

 

Acute & Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 | February 8, 2021

The discussion focused on the current state of knowledge on the long-term impacts of COVID-19 infection, provided guidance on how our health system must support individuals with this condition, and detailed other considerations as our country navigates our way out of this crisis.

Objectives:
  1. Understand the clinical characteristics of long COVID-19 syndrome.
  2. Understand the potential medical needs of this patient population.
  3. Discuss the importance of vaccination and continued mitigation efforts for this patient population.

Speakers:
  • Dr. Vin Gupta, Assistant Professor, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, UW Medicine
  • Dr. Dale Reisner, Medical Director (OB/GYN Quality and Safety) at Swedish Health Services

  • Resources

 

2021 Updates On COVID-19 | January 11, 2021

Our first Community Conversation of the year was an 'open conversation' with an update from WASHAA Board Member and Medical Director (OB/GYN Quality & Safety) at Swedish Health Services, Dale Reisner, MD. We answered questions during this free discussion that was open to patients, families, advocates and medical providers.

 

Navigating New Information During COVID-19 | December 14, 2020

Updates on Navigating New Information during COVID-19. Our speakers included Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OB/GYN Quality & Safety) at Swedish Health Services. People brought their questions for this 'Open Forum' on COVID-19.

 

COVID-19 & Navigating Grief | November 16, 2020

Millions of Americans are grieving alone in their homes, unable to lean on the people and programs they would normally rely on after a death. Anger, guilt and sadness are compounded by the pain of not being with loved ones at the end. Worse still is that COVID-19 forces people to grieve alone, without the funerals, support groups, and visits from neighbors they would normally rely on. 

Grief and loss disproportionately impact vulnerable populations, with those same populations less likely to receive bereavement care. We know that grief often leads to poor physical health outcomes including anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation and substance abuse, yet not enough is being done. Hospices, non-profit grief organizations, therapists, support group providers, and others are working hard to address the escalating need for grief support, but with COVID-19 deaths continuing to grow, as well as increasing death rates from nearly all other causes as compared to 2019, we are faced with a growing crisis that requires new and creative solutions.

Speakers:
  • Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OB/GYN Quality & Safety) at Swedish Health Services
  • Emma Payne, Founder and CEO, Grief Coach
​
  • ​Resources

 

COVID-19 & the Future of Assisted Living | October 19, 2020

As we have learned more about COVID-19, some of our behaviors have changed. We explored how our current experience informs how seniors are coping with changes to their home living situation and what the future of Assisted Living may be different. We also had a COVID-19 update on current news, trends and projections.

Speakers:
  • Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OB/GYN Quality & Safety) at Swedish Health Services
  • Nisan Harel, Vice President of Operations, ERA Living

 

COVID-19 & The Senior LGBTQIA+ Response and Resiliency | August 24, 2020

Hear updates about COVID-19 and GenPride. Dale Reisner, MD, provided updates on COVID-19 and Mitchell Hunter from GenPRIDE shared how the experience of the 1980 HIV/AIDS Epidemic led to important lessons of resiliency in these current COVID-19 times. Mitchell shared learning from GenPride, a Washington-based, non-profit, community organization which empowers older LGBTQ+ adults to live with pride and dignity by promoting, connecting and developing innovative programs and services that enhance belonging and support, eliminate discrimination, and honor the lives of older members of our community.

Speakers:
  • Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OBGYN/Quality & Safety) at Swedish Health Services
  • Mitch Hunter, (He/Him) Training Coordinator at GenPRIDE and an active leader in the Seattle Transgender & Non Binary (NB) as well as the LGBQIA+ community for the last 30 years

 

COVID-19 & Building Immune Defense | August 17, 2020

We are still learning about COVID-19 and while a strong immune system will not prevent you from getting COVID-19, learn how building a strong immune system can help you fight bugs and viruses. In this Community Conversation, we heard an update on COVID-19 and discussed specific strategies for boosting your immune system.

Objectives: 
  1. Updates on what is happening in the health system with COVID-19, what has changed, and what to expect ahead.
  2. Why is it important to build up the immune system, even if it won't protect you against becoming infected with COVID-19? 
  3. What actions should be undertaken to boost your immune system? 
  4. What should we know about new information about COVID-19 transmission? 
  5. Providing specific resources / actions or ideas for participants. 

Speakers:
  • Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OBGYN/Quality & Safety) at Swedish Health Services
  • Deanna Minich, PhD, internationally-recognized teacher, author, scientist, speaker, with more than 20 years of diverse, well-rounded experience in the fields of nutrition and functional medicine, including clinical practice, research, product formulation, writing, and education
  • My Healthy Immunity Plate
  • The Functional Medicine Approach to COVID-19: Nutrition and Lifestyle Practices for Strengthening Host Defense
  • A Review of the Science of Colorful, Plan-Based Food and Practical Strategies for "Eating the Rainbow" 

 

Navigating COVID-19: The Importance of Advocacy in the Hospital | July 27, 2020

Updates and context as to how the pandemic is affecting our country. We heard from two social workers who provided their perspectives on the importance of health advocacy, especially in the hospital and health systems. COVID-19 has changed the way healthcare support is managed. For many healthcare systems, loved ones cannot accompany patients to visits, surgeries or at end of life.  

Speakers:
  • Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OBGYN/Quality & Safety) at Swedish Health Services
  • Isabel D’Amrosia, LICSW, UW Medical Center Northwest
  • Ashley Van Oeveren, LICSW, Lead Social Worker at Snoqualmie Valley Hospital
 
  • My Choices If I Become Sick in the COVID Pandemic
  • Supplement to Advance Health Care Directive Due to COVID-19 - Courtesy of Matt Wiese of Wiese Law Corporation

 

Navigating COVID-19 & Resurgence | July 13, 2020

COVID-19 is continuing to impact our country deeply.  In this live session, we explored factors related to the growing resurgence of the virus.  Although we have learned a lot, COVID-19 is still a mystery in many aspects.  What does this mean for us as we are weighing risks of continuing to physically distance, mask, and protect ourselves and those we work with?  Are there actions we can be taking to improve or understand our own body better? 

Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OB/GYN Quality & Safety) at Swedish Health Services gave us an update on how the health system and country are coping with the pandemic, and new insights in navigating the virus. 

 

Open Community Conversation About COVID-19 | June 15, 2020

Weekly Community Conversation with Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OB/GYN Quality and Safety) at Swedish Health Services. We took questions questions, discussed concerns, and shared examples of positive advocacy adaptation due to COVID-19. This was our community’s opportunity to talk live, in a professional and safe environment about the pandemic.

 

Navigating Hospice During COVID-19 | June 8, 2020

Our speakers included: Stacey Jones, Director at Providence Hospice & Palliative Care, and Bruce Smith, MD, MACP, FAAHPM, HMDC, Hospice Medical Director at Providence Health & Services. Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OBGYN/Quality & Safety) at Swedish Health Services gave updates on what is happening in the health system with COVID-19, what has changed, and what to expect ahead. 
  • Misconceptions of Hospice pre-COVID-19
  • Differences between hospice and palliative care
  • How Hospice has changed with COVID-19
  • What is happening now
  • What will be the new normal with hospice moving forward
  • Providing specific resources/actions or ideas for participants

  • National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO)

 

Caregiving & Home Care During COVID-19 | June 1, 2020

Caregiving or bringing in a caregiver into your home has special considerations during COVID-19.

Shawn D’Amelio, Director of Business Development at With a Little Help, Inc. and President of the Washington Home Care Association discussed safety and the new realities in utilizing caregivers inside the home.  Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OBGYN/Quality & Safety) at Swedish Health Services provided updates about what Washington State health providers and systems are doing regarding COVID-19.

  • Value of Home Care​
  • Home Care vs. Home Health
  • Shawn's Resources

 

Personal Safety Nets: Being Prepared During COVID-19 | May 25, 2020

Our speakers included Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OBGYN/Quality & Safety) at Swedish Health Services and Denise Malm, MSW, Wallingford Senior Center.
​
  • Meaningful Conversation Starters
  • If You Really Knew Me Handout

 

Understanding Ventilators & End of Life Choices During COVID-19 | May 18, 2020

Our speakers included Jim deMaine, MD retired pulmonary and critical care doctor for 30+ years; Emeritus Professor of Medicine, UW and Bonnie Bizzell, MBA, MEd, Community Engagement Liaison & Program Manager, Honoring Choices PNW.
  • Ventilator & End of Life Resources List

 

Navigating Pregnancy During COVID-19 | May 11, 2020

Our speakers included Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OBGYN/Quality & Safety) at Swedish Health Services.
  • Pregnancy, Birth, and Caring for Your Baby with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19
  • Decision Making Guide for Mother & Provider

 

Navigating Cancer Health During COVID-19 | May 4, 2020

Speakers included Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OBGYN/Quality & Safety) at Swedish Health Services and Fred Appelbaum, MD, Executive Sr. VP and Deputy Director, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

 

Navigating Mental Health During COVID-19 | April 27, 2020

Speakers included Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OBGYN/Quality and Safety) at Swedish Health Services and Veronika M Zantop, MD, Psychiatric Hospitalist and Medical Director of Women's Wellness at Swedish Medical Center.
  • Mental Health Resources

 

Navigating Loss Amid COVID-19 | April 13, 2020

Trudy James joined our Community for a discussion about how to navigate loss (not just death) in the time of COVID-19. WASHAA Board Member Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OBGYN/Quality & Safety) at Swedish Health Services provided updates on the COVID-19 situation from the health provider frontline. 

 

Caregiving in the Time of COVID-19 | April 6, 2020

An open discussion about health advocacy in the time of COVID-19. We focused on caregiving as a topic area. Speakers included Dale Reisner, MD, from Swedish Health Services and Albert Munanga, DrBH, MSN, RN from ERA Living.

 

WA State & COVID-19 | March 30, 2020

Where our state is and what we are doing to prepare for increased COVID-19 cases.  WASHAA Board Member Dale Reisner, MD gave us an update and answered questions.
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