Most recently, I attended the Snowmass Institute’s “Achieving Success in Women’s Health” Conference. Celebrating its 25th year, this is an annual conference that highlights the latest innovative strategies for establishing or maintaining Women’s Health focused programs within healthcare facilities. A common theme this year was the focus on establishing Women’s Wellness and Breast Health Programs. One session I attended was titled “Extend Your Reach: The Business of Capturing Well Women” presented by Debora Soholt, RN, MS,Director Women’s Health Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD.  This presentation highlighted the importance of establishing preventative services as a cornerstone of a reformed healthcare system. Given that women over 40 are expected to grow 40 percent over the next 15 years (faster than any other female segment) this provides an even greater motivation to create and market these programs. Ms. Soholt has found that these programs are not only in great demand within a large service area beyond the hospital campus, they have also been very profitable. Such programs have included Midlife Women’s Health Program focused on hormone balance, the “Planet Heart” Cardiac Health Program and the“ Think Pink” Breast Health Program.  Another presentation of note was “Future Directions in Breast Health: Planning your Next Move” by Lillie Shockney, RN,BS, MAS, Administrative Director, Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center, Baltimore Maryland.  This presentation focused on what standards establish clinical quality and service excellence in a breast care center. Keys to success of a program include easy access, rapid results from tests, rapid appointments and coordination that looks seamless to the patient such as implementation of a navigation program.  Consider what level of care you will provide. Will you be screening and evaluation program or will you expand your services to include treatment as well?  Other useful resources that were highlighted in additional presentations include the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (http://www.accreditedbreastcenters.org/about/about.html) and also The National Consortium of Breast Centers.  Both of these organizations establish program structure and standards for breast health programs.    If you are considering establishing a women’s focused program or are looking to strengthen an existing one, this is a conference to consider keeping on your calendar annually. The organization also publishes a quarterly newsletter known as the Ireland Report  http://www.snowinst.com/hat that keeps its attendees up to date between conferences. For more information go to http://www.snowinst.com/.

Women’s Health Week is a week-long observance coordinated by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Women’s Health. This is a program designed to encourage women across the nation to take charge of their health. With the focus being placed more and more on wellness, prevention and screening, a sound state of health is indeed  something we all need to be on our way to having!

This week kicks off with National Women’s Checkup Day on Monday, May 11th. Women are encouraged to schedule checkups related to routine screenings for cancer, diabetes, heart disease and other conditions. Based on some data from the American Cancer Society, in recent years, the number of women getting mammograms screening for breast cancer has actually decreased for many healthcare providers which could be related to the economy as well as a lack of insurance. Here is an opportunity to get back on track with making those yearly appointments and catching any illness in its early stages. Also kicking off will be the eight-week Women’s Challenge. This is an online physical activity program which encourages women to participate in weekly physical activities in order to realize the health benefits associated with this such as lowering their risk for certain diseases. For more information related to Women’s Health Week go to…http://www.womenshealth.gov/whw/

“LOOK” A perspective on any given day or time about women and children in healthcare environments. By sharing our knowledge and experiences at Talk Women’s and Children’s, our goal is to create discussion and be a resource for individuals practicing architecture.

Why?   Why Wellness?   Why Design?   Why Children?

Life has purpose, and I am serving my purpose everyday by doing what I love…creating places and spaces for children.

What will I share?   What I learn.    What I think.    What I see.

What will I ask?   What have you learned?   What do you think?   What do you see?

Join us as we Talk Wellness…and choose new ways to work and live as we create places and spaces for children.