LIFEline
Updates from the Kansas LIFE Project
October, 2003

LIFE PROJECT HONORS PROJECT PARTNER
Kansas Association of Broadcasters presented with award during annual banquet

During their annual awards banquet on October 20, Donna Bales honored the Kansas Association of Broadcasters for their ongoing support of the LIFE Project and its mission.  Accepting the award on behalf of KAB members was Harriet Lange, state director. 

Since early 2001, KAB members have provided over $400,000 in airtime for two public service campaigns, “Advance Care Planning:  Do It For Those You Love” in 2002, and “Every Kansan Should Expect Good Pain Management,” LIFE’s current campaign which is designed to bring awareness to the issues facing thousands of Kansans who are in pain. 

Bales reminded KAB members that their generosity and continued support of end-of-life issues was making a huge impact in the lives of Kansans, many of whom have called the LIFE Project’s toll-free HelpLine seeking help and information.

LIFE PROJECT PARTNER ANNOUNCES PAIN WORKSHOP SERIES:
“Person Centered Pain Management Conferences”
LIFE encourages registration now for one of the seven full-day workshops on pain management, sponsored by the Kansas Foundation for Medical Care

The LIFE Project is pleased to announce our partnership and support, along with that of several LIFE Project Partners, of the upcoming “Person Centered Pain Management Conferences,” sponsored by the Kansas Foundation for Medical Care.

The series of day-long professional offerings will feature LIFE Project faculty, including Bob Twillman, PhD, and Melanie Simpson, RN, BA,BSN, from the Pain Management Program at KU Medical Center; Cathy Pimple, RN, Newman Center at Emporia State University; Vicki Fell, RN, and Midge Pelch, MSB, BSN, Newman Regional Health; Carole Hull, BA, MA; and Carolyn Bloom PT.  Home care field staff and administrators, nursing home resident care staff and hospice professionals are encouraged to attend this free training. 

These regional conferences will provide information, tools and techniques to empower direct care staff to recognize and treat pain effectively.  More complete goals and objectives, as well as a list of all those working in partnership in this effort, are listed in the attached brochure.  The workshops require no fee and offer contact and CEU hours.  Dates and locations are as follows:

Ø      Salina, November 3 – Rolling Hills Wildlife Refuge Conference Center (deadline to register, October 27)

Ø      Hays, November 4 – Fort Hays State University (deadline to register, October 28)

Ø      Dodge City, November 5 – Dodge House Convention Center (deadline to register, October 29)

Ø      Lawrence, November 10 – Holiday Inn & Conference Center (deadline to register, November 3)

Ø      Manhattan, November 11 – Holiday Inn (deadline to register, November 4)

Ø      Wichita, November 12 – Holiday Inn Select (deadline to register, November 5)

Ø       Chanute, November 17 – VFW Hall (deadline to register, November 10)

The LIFE Project encourages all of its Project Partners and Caring Communities to spread the word about this important event!  For complete details, please refer to the brochure, available now on the LIFE Project website,  www.lifeproject.org/kfmcbrochure.pdf.  Or call Tami Sterling, KFMC, at (785) 273-2552 to request a copy of the brochure.  Register soon!

CARING COMMUNITIES TO MEET IN SALINA ON DEC. 2
LIFE Project Caring Communities will meet for a day of ongoing planning and sharing

            The LIFE Project will host a strategic planning meeting for the Caring Communities on Tuesday, December 2 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm in Conference Rooms 1 and 2 at the Penn Campus of Salina Regional Health Center, 139 N. Penn, in Salina. 

            All Caring Communities are encouraged to send one or more representatives to this important planning session, regardless whether you are just getting organized or have been active for years. 

Agenda will include:

·        Updates and sharing on Caring Communities’ and LIFE Project’s Activities

·        Upcoming Plans for 2004

·        Preparing for Rallying Points Opportunity Grants

There is no registration fee, and handouts, snacks and lunch are included.  Please discuss this at your next council meeting and determine who will represent your community. 

Please RSVP to Stacie Ogborn at the LIFE Project by Friday, Nov. 28, telephone (316) 263-6380, email at stacie@lifeproject.org.

LAWRENCE COALITION “UN-MASKING” THE FACE OF DEATH
Unique art projects of the Lawrence Community Council featured in local media

The Lawrence Caring Community hosted Julie Russell, nurse dramatist, in a series of professional and community presentations on October 30.  The day’s activities culminated in a program called “Dying to Tell Stories,” where Ms. Russell performed three dramatic monologues at the Lawrence Community Theatre.  On October 26, the Lawrence Journal-World featured a story about Ms. Russell and her unique method of bringing awareness to end-of-life issues.  According to Jan Jenkins, director of the Douglas County Visiting Nurses Association and member of the community council, 135 attended the evening presentation and panel discussion.  An additional 45 nurses and healthcare professionals participated in other events throughout the day.

In a similar project focusing on the arts for public awareness of end-of-life issues, Nadereh Nasseri, Patient Care Coordinator of Hospice Care of Douglas County, worked with high school art students recently at the Lawrence Art Center in a project dubbed “Unmasking the Face of Death.”  Approximately 15 members from the community participated in a workshop on October 15 to make decorative masks to commemorate the death of a loved one.  The masks will be on display at the Lawrence Public Library from October 31 through November 2, when the library will host a public reception.

LOCAL COALITIONS SUPPORTING PAIN CAMPAIGN
LIFE’s Caring Communities have been successful in bringing the “Every Kansan Should Expect Good Pain Management” message to citizens and professionals

Leaders of the Kansas Caring Communities have been busy over the past few months planning and coordinating efforts to promote LIFE’s “Every Kansan Should Expect Good Pain Management” campaign.  Consumers and healthcare professionals across the state have benefited from these efforts, which have been facilitated by either Bob Twillman or Melanie Simpson of the Pain Management Resource Team at the University of Kansas Medical Center.  The LIFE Project would like to thank all the community leaders and the consultants, Bob Twillman and Melanie Simpson, for their efforts to make these programs a success!

The following is a recap of the events that have been held:

            Holton, KS – June 24 - Melanie Simpson facilitated a full-day pain management workshop to 64 nursing professionals.

            Emporia, KS – July 23 - Melanie Simpson conducted two half-day workshops to nursing home professionals.  In all, 63 people attended.

            Garden City, KS – September 8 & 9 – Bob Twillman made presentations to two groups of healthcare professionals, with 41 attending.  In an evening event to the public at large and a breakfast presentations to a local civic group, at least 40 consumers were engaged.

            Dodge City, KS – September 9 & 10 – Bob Twillman conducted a six-hour professional offering to nurses and other healthcare professionals, with 39 attending.  Forty area physicians also participated in a dinner presentation.

            Liberal, KS  - September 10 & 11 – Bob Twillman made numerous presentations to professionals and citizens.  In all 24 healthcare professionals and 29 consumers were present.

            Salina, KS – October 2 – The Salina Caring Community and Salina Regional Health Center hosted Bob Twillman in a series of professional offerings.  In all, two pharmacists,16 physicians, 51 long-term care nurses and 98 nursing students attended the presentations.  In addition, Dr. Twillman engaged 31 local citizens during a community breakfast. 

            Oskaloosa, KS – October 14 – Bob Twillman made a breakfast presentation to local physicians, and according to Betsy Schmelzle, chair of the Jefferson County Caring Community council, one representative from each doctor’s office attended (7 total).  A mid-morning presentation to nurses was also held in Oskaloosa, and 14 nurses attended.

            Holton, KS – October 14 – The Jackson County Caring Community hosted Bob Twillman at two functions, a physician luncheon (20 attended) and a strategic planning meeting to gain a community-wide consensus on pain management (25 nurses and community leaders attended).

            Horton, KS – October 14 – Bob Twillman facilitated a 2.5 hour CNE offering to area nurses where 36 attended.  A community presentation later that evening was attended by three (3) citizens.  Both events were sponsored by the Northeast Kansas Caring Community council.

            Manhattan, KS – October 16 – Twenty (2) nurses attended a full-day educational event with Melanie Simpson facilitating.  The program was sponsored by the Manhattan Caring Community council.

            Clay Center & Washington, KS – October 17 – Melanie Simpson presented two half-day sessions in these neighboring communities where 24 nurses attended.

Funding for these programs was provided by the Rallying Points Certificate Program.  Rallying Points is a national organization that assists community end-of-life coalitions.  If you would like more information about how the LIFE Project and Rallying Points can help your coalition, please contact Stacie Ogborn at the LIFE Project, (316) 263-6380.

LIFENotes

*  Harriet Lange, Executive Director of the Kansas Association of Broadcasters, was inducted into the KAB Hall of Fame during a presentation on October 20.  Congratulations, Harriet!       

*  The LIFE Project is currently taking orders for materials to promote our public campaign, “Every Kansan should expect good pain management!”  Campaign posters and other promotional items, including paper placemats, table tents, and a wallet-sized “Pain Bill of Rights” are now available to LIFE Project Partners and Caring Communities.  Contact Stacie at the LIFE Project office to receive a sample packet of materials, or to submit orders  (email, stacie@lifeproject.org).

UPCOMING EVENTS

Please remember that LIFE Caring Community Events are open to all Caring Community Coalitions and LIFE Project Partners ~~ Please contact the LIFE Project for further details and information

January 7, 2004          The Pratt Caring Community will host Bob Twillman in a series of community and professional offerings centered around the topic of geriatric pain.  Tentative plans, according to Sharon Will, will include a breakfast session for nurses and physician assistants, one or two presentations to nursing home personnel, a lunch presentation to area physicians, and a community presentation.  Stay tuned as plans develop for this program, or call Sharon Will, South Wind Hospice, at (620) 672-7553.

January 8, 2004          Robert Carlton, chair of the Newton Caring Community, is also working with Bob Twillman to develop plans for a pain management intervention for that community.  Watch for details coming soon, or contact Robert at (316) 283-8220.

January 30, 2004        The Phillipsburg Caring Community and the Norton Caring Community are coordinating efforts for a series of educational events aimed at professionals and consumers.  Details will be available soon.

February 20, 2003      Bob Twillman is also working with Sheila MacGrath and the Hutchinson Caring Community to develop programs for physicians and nurses to promote LIFE’s “Every Kansan Should Expect Good Pain Management” campaign. 

NOTE:  If you have any announcements to add to our calendar, please forward them to Stacie Ogborn four to eight weeks in advance of the event:  LIFE Project, 1901 University, Wichita, KS  67212, Fax # (316) 263-6542, or submit them by email to:  stacie@lifeproject.org.

LIFE Project
1901 University - Wichita, Kansas 67213-3325
316.263.6380
316.263.6542 fax
HELPLINE (tollfree) 888-202-5433
888-202-LIFE
contact@lifeproject.org