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Health

Health News 06/14/2017

June 14, 2017 By Mary Rathman

Staywell honors NAMI for commitment
Staywell, a WellCare company, recognized NAMI Pasco (National Alliance on Mental Illness) as its community partner for the month of May. NAMI was recognized for its hard work, commitment and dedication to serving families in the region. Staywell also donated meeting space for NAMI Connection Support Groups. From left: Michael Piper and Michelle Gesaman, NAMI; Emily Fregger, office coordinator Staywell; and, Meghan Shattuck, Beth Piecora and Toni Roach, NAMI. NAMI info line: (727) 992-9653. (Courtesy of Nancy Whitener)

Donate to medical mission
Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Land O’ Lakes is collecting for Operation Haiti, a medical mission. Items needed are old medication bottles (remove labels and rinse), and supplies for hygiene kits, including shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrushes. Hotel sizes cannot be accepted.

A bin at the church entrance, 2348 Collier Parkway, will be available for donations.

For information, call (813) 949-4565.

Seminar sheds light on skin cancer

June 7, 2017 By Kevin Weiss

His skin cancer diagnosis was a wake-up call to be more careful around the Florida sun.

Dr. George Hanak was blindsided when he first was stricken with skin cancer, and he’s not shy about sharing his personal battle with the disease.

“I was shocked when I got the report,” said Hanak, the department chair of neurological sciences at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus in Wesley Chapel.

Pasco-Hernando State College presented a Skin Cancer Awareness Seminar on May 24 at its Porter Campus in Wesley Chapel. (Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)

The associate professor was a featured speaker during the school’s Skin Cancer Awareness Seminar on May 24.

The seminar was part of a series the state college organized to increase public awareness regarding a variety of resources available to community members.

Over two years ago, a standard histology revealed two types of non-melanoma skin cancer — squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma — had formed on the tip of Hanak’s nose.

From the naked eye, Hanak couldn’t detect the carcinomas.

It wasn’t apparent, either, that the cancerous cells already penetrated through his dermis — the inner layer of the two main layers of cells that make up the skin.

“I didn’t know. It did not look like (skin cancer),” Hanak said.

Luckily, the department chairman visited a dermatologist before the carcinomas spread further.

Now, he has a clean bill of health — because of Mohs micrographic surgery.

The surgery progressively removes and examines thin layers of cancer-containing skin until only cancer-free tissue remains.

Hanak doesn’t take his good health for granted.

Now, he takes added precautions, beginning with copious amounts of sunscreen—even when just running errands.

He encourages others to do the same.

“I put it on my face every day,” Hanak said. “When I’m going out into the car or to the store, cumulatively, over the time of the day I could be outdoors for 30 minutes or more.

“It’s really important,” he said.

Skin cancer is common nationwide.

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 5.4 million skin cancers are diagnosed each year in the United States — more than all other cancers combined. Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common of all cancer types.

The American Cancer Society reports that most skin cancers are caused by the sun’s ultraviolet light and radiation, which alter the genetic material of skin cells.

The skin is the body’s largest organ, and also one of the most vital.

However, many don’t treat it that way.

“We, for the most part, take our skin for granted,” Hanak said. “We never think about the skin.”
Regions of the body most susceptible to skin cancer are the face, ears, neck, lip, back of hands, legs, and torso.

Those with freckles and fair skin, or who have a family history of skin cancer should be especially cautious.

Folks on antihistamines also should be careful, too, as they can compromise the skin and increase the potential for skin cancer.

Moles are another risk factor, especially ones that irregularly change in shape, size, or color.

“You never mess with a mole,” Hanak said.

“Leave it (the mole) alone, or have it removed if there are changes happening to it. If there’s a hair inside the mole, you do not pluck that hair. You do that and you’re opening up Pandora’s box,” Hanak warned.

Early detection makes all forms of skin cancer more treatable.

It’s why self-exams and regular checkups to a dermatologist are critical.

“I don’t care if you see anything or not — go to the specialist and have them check you — head to toe,” Hanak said.

Unfortunately, there’s no sure way to entirely prevent skin cancer, he said.

But, there are precautions that can help reduce the risk of both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.

Linda Oakley-Hankins, an associate professor of nursing at PHSC’s West Campus, advised those attending the seminar to follow Cancer.org’s sun exposure catchphrase: “Slip! Slop! Slap! and Wrap!”

The catchphrase is meant to help people remember some of the key steps that can be taken to shield against UVA and UVB ultraviolet (UV) rays.

They can slip on a dark shirt; slop on broad-spectrum sunscreen every two hours; slap on a wide-brimmed hat; and wrap on sunglasses to protect the eyes and skin around them.

Besides skin cancer, overexposure to UV rays can result in sunburns, dark patches, wrinkles, loose skin, premature aging and eye problems.

During the seminar, Oakley-Hankins warned against the use of tanning salons.

She also suggested people — especially Floridians — seek shade between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

“What you do to your skin now,” she said, “will either be a benefit or a non-benefit later on in life.”

Published June 6, 2017

Health News 06/07/2017

June 7, 2017 By Mary Rathman

(Courtesy of Carla Armstrong)

Moose Lodge donates $1,000
Club members of Moose Lodge 2275 in Zephyrhills raised $1,000 through bingo nights, and a matching donation from the Moose Lodge, to donate to Gulfside Hospice. Since 2013, the lodge has given more than $3,000 in support of Gulfside to show appreciation for the quality care given to several of its club members over the past years. From left: Chuck Plourd, Carla Armstrong and Larry Glass.

 

WellCome OM center
A groundbreaking took place for the WellCome OM Integral Healing & Education Center at 4242 Lake in the Woods Drive in Spring Hill.

The center’s goal will be to provide instruction and guidance on how to achieve successful outcomes in all aspects of living.

The center’s vision statement is: WellCome OM is a “collective effort of conscious energies to awaken, educate, nurture and heal. Herein lies a combination of exceptional talent, wisdom and skill in order to make a positive difference where totality of health is the goal,” according to a news release.

WellCome OM will have three buildings to include an auratorium, yoga exercise studio with a demonstration kitchen, and a wellness center.

There also will be flower and butterfly gardens, organic vegetable and herb gardens, a greenhouse and aquaponics system, nature paths, play areas for children, and more.

Natalya Musallam has been named executive administrative assistant for the project. For information and questions, contact Musallam at (352) 606-2937 or .

NAMI support groups
The Pasco County Chapter of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) offers two types of support group meetings each month.

The NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group is a structured closed group, open only to those with a mental illness diagnosis. This group is for individuals age 18 and older, interested in the recovery process, sharing coping skills, and being with others who understand the daily challenges of living with a mental illness.

Local meetings are the second and fourth Friday of the month from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Atonement Lutheran Church, 29617 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel.

The NAMI Family Support Group is for family members and caregivers of someone with a mental illness diagnosis.

The family group also meets at Atonement Lutheran Church the first and third Tuesday of the month from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

For information, call (727) 992-9653, or visit NAMIPasco.org.

Strength & balance classes
Silver Sneaker strength and balance classes take place every Wednesday at 9 a.m., and every Friday at 10:30 a.m., in The Groves Golf and Country Club Civic Center in Land O’ Lakes.

The low-impact classes for men and women are designed to improve flexibility and balance, which helps prevent falls, broken hips and more.

The classes are free to Silver Sneakers members and $5 for non-members.

For information, contact Tom Marbell at (352) 409-2984 or .

Oak Hill Hospital announces graduates
Oak Hill Hospital has announced the 2017 class of Graduate Medical Education Program Internal Medicine residents:

  • Fatima Agha, Ross University School of Medicine
  • Salli Aziz, Mania University Faculty of Medicine
  • Lakshpaul Chauhan, Ross University School of Medicine
  • Venkatesh Gupta Cheetirala, Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Secunderabad
  • Farrah Chilet, University of Sharjah College of Medicine
  • Rania Godil, Dow International Medical College
  • Alexander Gutierrez, St. George’s University
  • Arshad Iqbal, Jinnah Sindh Medical University
  • Salman Masood, Deccan College of Medical Sciences
  • Adeeb Mustafa, Spartan Health Sciences University School of Medicine
  • Salaah Siddiqui, Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Zaid Tabbaa, Jordan University of Science and Technology Faculty of Medicine
  • Nour Tlimat, University of Sharjah College of Medicine
  • Fahad Zafar Allama, Iqbal Medical College

Oak Hill Hospital appoints 15 new residents each year. This is the fourth class of the Graduate Medical Education program.

Siblings bring joy and hope to patients

May 31, 2017 By Mary Rathman

(Courtesy of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point)

Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has awarded 100-volunteer-hour service pins to two pet therapy dogs, Buffy and Knox. The dogs are brother and sister therapy dogs and are handled by Ray Jozwik, who adopted them from the Florida Collie Rescue. Buffy and Knox are certified by Therapy Dog Inc. Selection of therapy dogs is based upon the calm and gentle demeanor of the animals even in the midst of chaos. Donna Owens, Volunteer Services manager, shows off Buffy and Knox.

Health News 05/24/2017

May 24, 2017 By Mary Rathman

(Courtesy of Kirsty Churchill)

Gulfside celebrates its volunteers
In honor of National Volunteer Week, Gulfside Hospice honored its 193 patient-care volunteers, along with 200 thrift shop volunteers, throughout the county. In the past year, volunteers have donated nearly 49,000 hours of service to Gulfside. Each individual was recognized by years of service. Three volunteers receiving recognition were, from left, Goldie Klebowski, 7 years; Jeanette Tatro, 12 years; and, Barrie Fernald, 1 year.

 

Pregnancy center donations
The Oasis Pregnancy Care Centers accepts donations of new or slightly used baby or maternity items. The centers cannot accept car seats and breast pumps, as they must be new. Cribs must have the fixed rail.

Here is a short list of items that can give ideas on ways to help:

  • $35 buys a case of diapers and baby wipes
  • $65 buys a car seat or “pack n play”
  • $85 buys an electric breast pump
  • $150 buys a crib and mattress
  • $500 helps the pregnancy centers expand services to Trinity/Odessa

Oasis has two locations: 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Suite 108, in Land O’ Lakes, and 5854 Argerian Drive, Suite 103, in Wesley Chapel.

To reach the Land O’ Lakes office, call (813) 406-4965. For Wesley Chapel, call (813) 618-5037.

NAMI support groups
The Pasco County Chapter of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) offers two types of support group meetings each month.

The NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group is a structured closed group, open only to those with a mental illness diagnosis. This group is for individuals age 18 and older, interested in the recovery process, sharing coping skills, and being with others who understand the daily challenges of living with a mental illness.

Local meetings are the second and fourth Friday of the month from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Atonement Lutheran Church, 29617 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel.

The NAMI Family Support Group is for family members and caregivers of someone with a mental illness diagnosis.

The family group also meets at Atonement Lutheran Church the first and third Tuesday of the month from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

For information, call (727) 992-9653, or visit NAMIPasco.org.

Premier awarded $1.2 million
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded Premier Community HealthCare Group Inc., $1.2 million to expand services into Hernando County.

The sites will be in Brooksville and Spring Hill at medical space previously operated by the Department of Health, and will serve an estimated 84,000 patients annually.

Limited hours of operation are now available. Both sites will be fully operational on or before July 24 at these locations:

  • Spring Hill Family Health Center, 7551 Forest Oaks Blvd.
  • Brooksville Family Health Center, 300 S. Main St.

To learn more about Premier Community HealthCare, visit PremierHC.org.

Crisis Center named a top workplace
The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay has been named one of Tampa Bay’s Top Workplaces 2017 by the Tampa Bay Times.

The Top Workplaces in Tampa Bay program was created by the Tampa Bay Times and Workplace Dynamics, and the companies are selected based on survey results from employees, answering questions on numerous topics, including practices and policies.

For a complete list of the 2017 Top Workplaces in Tampa Bay, visit TampaBay.com/topworkplaces.

Public health nurses recognized
The Florida Department of Health-Pasco County recognized its public health nurses with a Nurses Day Tea May 12 and an educational session, as the ANA (American Nurses Association) designated 2017 as the “Year of the Healthy Nurse.”

Florida has more than 600,000 nursing professionals who work every day to provide high-quality care in a variety of settings from hospitals to doctors’ office to county health departments and schools.

Public health nurses work with individuals, families and communities as a whole to prevent disease and promote the overall health of the area. The nurses work in clinics to provide immunizations, conduct testing for diseases and infections, help people manage chronic conditions, and help people achieve a healthy lifestyle.

Volunteer receives ‘President’s call’

May 17, 2017 By Mary Rathman

(Courtesy of Regional Medical Center Bayonet)

Susan Mesi, a volunteer at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, has received the President’s Call to Service Award Certificate, from the office of the President of the United States. Recipients must have volunteered for a minimum of 15 years and logged in more than 7,500 hours of service. Mesi started volunteering more than 15 years ago, has more than 26,000 hours of service, and received the hospital’s Five Star Award in 2010. She greets patients in the outpatient services department, is chairperson of volunteers in the outpatient lab, and covers the shifts of those who are absent to make sure the greeting station is always staffed. Mesi, left, is shown with Elliot Lorenzi, volunteer president.

Health News 05/10/2017

May 10, 2017 By Mary Rathman

(Courtesy of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point)

Volunteers elect board members
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point’s Volunteer Association has elected its new board of directors. From left: Diane Ricca, president; Colleen D’Amario, vice president; Debbie Hennessy, secretary; Shirley Dunn, treasurer; Vikki Neftleberg, assistant treasurer; and, Elliot Lorenzi, Otto Ottaviano, Dixie Cagle, Joe D’Amario and Tom Runnions as directors at large.

American Stroke Month
During May, the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association encourages people of all ages to recognize the signs and symptoms of a stroke, and to take healthy steps to reduce stroke risk.

Stroke claims an average of nearly 900 lives every year in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, and is a leading cause nationally of serious, long-term disability. Stroke is largely preventable and treatable.

Normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mm Hg. Nearly one in six American adults with high blood pressure does not know it.

AHA/ASA teaches the acronym F.A.S.T., to help people recognize the most common stroke warnings signs and what to do if one occurs:

  • F – Face drooping: Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.
  • A – Arm weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
  • S – Speech difficulty: Is speech slurred, is the person unable to speak, or is the person hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence like, “The sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?
  • T – Time to call 911: If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 911 and get them to the hospital immediately.

For information, visit StrokeAssociation.org/strokemonth.

Health care gala
Guiding Star Tampa hosted its annual Light of Hope Benefits Gala benefit attended by more than 300 community partners, contributors, friends and residents.

Guiding Star is a comprehensive women’s health care practice that offers medical services, education and ongoing support to women and their children, from puberty through menopause, in the Tampa Bay area. The center offers natural, holistic and whole-life medical health care.

Located in north Hillsborough County, the facility has medical examination rooms, classroom/meeting rooms for English and Spanish Mommy Support Groups, and consulting rooms for one-on-one educational sessions.

Guests can schedule a facility tour by calling (813) 948-7734.

For information, visit GuidingStarTampa.org.

 

Raising awareness about child abuse

May 3, 2017 By Kathy Steele

Learning to recognize the signs of child abuse is a critical first step in knowing when to report suspected abuse.

Pasco-Hernando State College and Pasco Kids First Inc., hosted a child abuse awareness seminar on April 20 for about 30 people. The seminar was free and open to the community, students, faculty and staff.

Pasco-Hernando State College and Pasco Kids First., hosted a child abuse awareness seminar at the college. Among those attending were students, faculty and seminar presenters.
(Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)

The “Stop the Abuse” seminar was part of the Summer 2017 Community Awareness Series. The next seminar will be on skin cancer awareness on May 24 from 11 a.m. to noon at PHSC’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, at 2727 Mansfield Blvd, in Building B, Room 203.

Staff members from Pasco Kids First child protection team and trauma therapy team discussed tools and resources to help victims of child abuse and how to recognize when child abuse is happening.

There’s no doubt that child abuse is an issue in Florida. A hotline to report suspected child abuse gets thousands of calls every year in the state.

Many of those attending the seminar are nursing students at the college.

“You’ll be faced with a lot of different scenarios,” said Natalie Epo, associate dean for academic affairs and retention services at the Porter Campus.

Data shows that children from birth to age 5 are at the highest risk of death from child abuse. Across the country, five children die every day from child abuse.

Telltale signs of abuse can be as obvious as a pattern of cigarette burns, or less so, such as bruising that is less noticeable and harder to categorize as abuse.

“If you see bruises on a child under age 5, those are the most concerning,” said Jon Wisenbaker, program manager for Pasco Kids First child protection team.

Pasco Kids First’s child protection and trauma teams work with the protection investigators at the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. They do assessments on physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect and high-risk cases. Referrals are made by child protective investigators or law enforcement, but can’t be made directly by the general public.

Not every reported injury is due to child abuse, however.

“Kids do get accidental injuries all the time,” Wisenbaker said.  “That’s where we come into the picture to make that decision.”

The location and pattern of bruises can be telling, said Julie Nadkarni, pediatric nurse practitioner with Pasco Kids First’s child protection team.

Bruising, especially pattern bruising, on the inner thigh, upper arms, buttocks and sides of the face, ears and neck can be signs of abuse, Nadkarni said.

Bruises behind a child’s ear generally aren’t seen.

“When they fall, their ears don’t typically hit the ground,” she added.

Nadkarni showed slides of children with clear signs of abuse, including ligature marks, cigarette burns and scalded feet.

Bite marks, particularly by adults, are often associated with sexual abuse, she said.

Pasco Kids First also sees children suffering from neglect and malnutrition.

The mission of Pasco Kids First, however, is to keep families together, if possible.

“The goal is always to strengthen the family because overall that is where a child is going to do the best,” Nadkarni said.

Studies support that view, said Wisenbaker.

When children are removed, they are more likely to live with a relative or family friend than in a foster home, he said.

Helping victims and their families deal with abuse, and recover from trauma, is part of the mission at Pasco Kids.

Miranda Hager, trauma therapist with Pasco Kids First, counseled more than 280 clients last year. About 80 percent were victims of sexual abuse; 10 percent physical abuse; and 10 percent other types of trauma.

Children who have been abused can react to abuse by becoming aggressive or withdrawn. They make have difficulty sleeping, problems at school, increasing stomachaches and headaches and lack motivation.

Lexy, a survivor of child sex abuse, is one of Hager’s clients. She spoke at the seminar about her yearlong experience of abuse at age 15 by an older male friend of the family.

What happened over many months was a pattern of grooming, typical of sex offenders, Hager said.

Children are targeted over many months as the sexual predator tries to create a special friendship, giving them gifts and being available to them. “It’s a slow process of pulling the child away from friends and family,” Hager said.

For information, visit PascoKidsFirst.org.

To report suspected child abuse, neglect or abandonment, call the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-(800)-962-2873, or fax to (800) 914-0004.

Revised May 5, 2017

Health News 05/03/2017

May 3, 2017 By Mary Rathman

Buster’s job is pet therapy
Buster works for Canines for Christ as a therapy dog, and even has his own business card. He ministers to patients at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, as well as other places. When Buster is not helping to ‘heal,’ his favorite pastimes are chasing squirrels and playing with squeaky toys. Buster’s proud owner is Pat Metcalf of Lutz.

 

Hospital promotions
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has announced these promotions:

  • Jessica DeMauro, director of wound care. DeMauro was promoted from her position as director of patient experience. She has a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Indiana University and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Purdue University.
  • Dina D. Credo, director of critical care unit. Credo has been serving as interim director of the critical care unit since last September, and has been serving in nurse management since her employment at the hospital in April 2009.
  • Sherry Pressner, vice president of human resources. Pressner comes from Citrus Memorial Hospital where she had the same position, and has been in various human resource positions within the HCA system since 2009.

Cup of Compassion
The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay hosted the 14th annual Cup of Compassion fundraising breakfast at the Tampa Convention Center.

More than 500 guests gathered to support the center’s mission: To ensure that no one in our community has to face crisis alone.

The event raised $360,000 through donations, pledges and sponsorships.

For information about the Crisis Center, visit CrisisCenter.com.

Symposium spotlights mental health, well-being

April 26, 2017 By Kevin Weiss

College life can be exciting, but also can be challenging.

Besides searching for independence, there comes a new level of responsibilities — academically and socially.

That’s why administrators and student leaders at Pasco-Hernando State College organized a Community Resource Fair and Symposium on mental health and well-being, at the college’s East Campus in Dade City.

Research conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness on mental health on college campuses shows:

  • 25 percent of students have a diagnosable illness
  • 40 percent do not seek help
  • 80 percent feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities
  • 50 percent have been so anxious they struggled in school

About a dozen organizations were present during the April 19 event — part of the college’s ongoing community awareness series.
Several local mental health and wellness agencies were on hand, including BayCare Behavioral Health, and Sunrise of Pasco County Domestic and Sexual Violence Center.

Pasco-Hernando State College organized a Community Resource Fair and Symposium on April 19 at its East Campus in Dade City.
(Courtesy of PHSC)

Representatives from those groups, along with a college staff member, led a panel discussion on mental fitness among college students.

One of the panelists was Jacqui Turner, a liaison for BayCare Health System’s Student Assistance Program (SAP), which provides support to students in dealing with personal, academic, or relationship problems via referral services through managed care benefits and other community resources.

According to Turner, most college students utilize the SAP service because they struggle balancing school, work and general life obligations.

Those stresses, Turner said, can translate to poor classroom performance.

“When your mind is focused elsewhere,” she said, “you’re not performing to your fullest potential…and your grades go down pretty fast.”

Aside from stress, feelings of anxiety and depression can also be prevalent among college students, Turner noted.

Another panelist, Chuck Wilson— the college’s executive director of the President’s Institute for College Preparation, Completion, Certification, Leadership Development — suggested financial decisions—good and bad—can impact mental well-being.

He said most debt is created right out of college.

“As you’re preparing for life, don’t mess up your money,” he said.

That includes incorporating preventative measures, such as saving and smart spending habits. 
“If you don’t do that,” Wilson said, “now you’re dealing with depression, and fear and anxiety.”

Later on, Wilson advised those with financial struggles to seek help from elder family members and dabble with financial literacy programs.

“Often there’s value in age and experience,” he said.

He also advocated performing a self-assessment “when something is weighing you.”

“Have courageous conversation with yourself. When you tell yourself the truth, I think that’s the baseline for rising above whatever the situation is.”

With April being National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a portion of the symposium centered on ways to support victims and survivors of sexual assault, dating and violence domestic and stalking.
The topic was led by Aubrey Hall, Green Dot coordinator for Sunrise of Pasco. The Green Dot Bystander aims to end or reduce the amount of violence found on university campuses.

According to Hall, one in four women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime, and one in six men will be stalked.

“These numbers rise when college is in session,” Hall explained. “When you’re in college, you’re four times more likely to be assaulted than when you’re not in college.”

She pointed out survivors of violence “sometimes feel guilty or shameful, because they feel like they should have acted.”

Empowering those victims, Hall said, starts with utilizing proper interaction techniques.

One such technique, called trauma-informed care, is an approach that aims to engage people with histories of trauma, recognize the presence of trauma symptoms and acknowledge the role that trauma has played in their lives.

“When you go and you interact with somebody, you don’t really know what they’ve been through. And, it’s really not right to ask somebody about it,” Hall said.

“I never go into a room assuming no one’s experienced violence.”

She, too, never asks ‘why,’ when dealing with trauma victims, due to its presumptive tone.

“If you’re asking somebody why something happened to them, you’re putting the blame on them. You’re putting the onus on them,” Hall said.

She added: “Language is extremely important. Not only how you’re asking the questions, but then following up.”

Published April 26, 2017

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