Beacon Community Connections is a 501(c)3 nonprofit focused on building community by making connections. Our mission is to empower anyone in need through collaboration, connection, and advocacy for individual wellness and community-wide quality of life. Our work focuses on delivering exceptional non-clinical case management to individuals and families with social support needs. Beacon also coordinates the efforts of the Justice and Health Collaborative and the Lafayette ReEntry Coalition. We believe we are better together.

It's Summit time! Preparing for a large education session takes a lot of planning and work. For me and my planning team, it is a labor of love. This year, we are diving into the interrelated topics of health literacy and patient engagement. No matter how technologically advanced we become, healthcare is still one person caring for another. And that begins and ends with conversations between patients and healthcare providers. This summit is an opportunity to explore new knowledge, gain skills and tools, and become a better advocate for the people we care for. I look forward to seeing you there.

Many thanks to the Summit Planning Team! Corey Frank (event coordinator), Eman Boyd (host), Pauline Breaux, Rosie Kiper, Claire Collins, Amie Buillard, Andre Perez, Mary Bergeron, Kristen Copenhaver, Angela Morrison, and Donna Troyanowski.

You don't want to miss this! Our fifth annual South Louisiana Community Health Summit is at the end of the month. Beacon's signature live educational event is on Friday, September 30th from 8:30-11:30 at Acadiana Center for the Arts.

Check out the details below for the agenda, speakers, and details about the Community Health Festival immediately following the education sessions.

Learn more at www.lahealthsumit.org and register there today!

Eman Boyd, the 2022 South Louisiana Community Health Summit speaker, is the Communications Coordinator for Grace Hebert Curtis Architects. Before moving to public relations, Eman was the weekend anchor at KATC TV 3, the ABC affiliate in Lafayette, LA. Notably, Eman is the director of “Sickle Cell Warrior,” an independent film she produced about her cousin living with sickle cell anemia.

Maggie Bresline has a unique background as a designer and researcher with a specialized practice in healthcare and experience in her role as the program director of a non-profit organization, The Patient Revolution. She began her healthcare career in 2005 when she was hired as the first designer/researcher in the SPARC Program at Mayo Clinic. (SPARC later became the Center for Innovation.) She has 18 years of experience, both inside and outside of healthcare institutions, leading design and development efforts on multiple projects.

Marisa Alack served Lafayette General Health System as Chief Engagement Officer and has recently transitioned to Vice President of Strategic Operations and Planning for Ochsner’s Acadiana region. She started her career at Lafayette General Medical Center (LGMC) in 1997 as an Occupational Therapist Over the past 5 years, Marisa has led multiple consumer-centric strategies related to utilization of digital platforms that monitor and manage health more efficiently and effectively.

7:45 Registration and Welcome

8:15 The Patient Conversation

• Holly Howat, Beacon

8:30 Panel #1: Health Literacy Foundations

9:15 Keynote: Improving Patient Experience with Improved Health Literacy

• Maggie Breslin, Patient Revolution

9:45 Interactive Information and Data Dive (including Coffee/Water Break)

10:15 Panel #2: Assembling Health Literacy Tools for Patient Engagement

11:00 Call to Action: Health Literacy in a Patient Centered Culture

• Marisa Alack, Ochsner Lafayette General

11:30 Education Program Ends and Festival Begins

1:30 Festival Ends

The South Louisiana Community Health Summit will offer 3.0 continuing education units for nurses, counselors, and social workers. Other attendees can receive a certificate of attendance.

For details, click HERE

Beacon will also host a Community Health Festival immediately following the Summit on September 30th from 11:30-1:30. Enjoy lunch, music and interact with a variety of community organizations!

While passing a good time, get healthy or stay healthy. Ochsner Lafayette General's Strike Team will be present to provide flu shots and COVID vaccinations including boosters. No registration is needed and there is no cost to you.

South Louisiana Community College will bring its bus and nursing students. You can get a free health screening while enjoying delicious food and incredible music.

Other informational booths include Hospice of Acadiana, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, and Oceans Healthcare.

The Good Dudes is the Festival Band!

Beacon is proud to have had The Good Dudes playing during the Summit for the past two years. This year, we are putting them front and center during the Community Health Festival. The Good Dudes are described as "an alchemic blend of pop-rock and motown." Join us for an energetic and musical afternoon!

In South Louisiana, festivals equals food. The Community Health Festival will feature four local food trucks. Watch Facebook and Instagram on Friday, September 16th for the big reveal on which food truck will be there.

Remember, your ticket to the South Louisiana Community Health Summit includes lunch and a drink at one of the food trucks!

Email: admin@beaconconnections.org
Website: www.beaconconnections.org
Location: Lafayette, LA, USA
Phone: 337-534-8801
Facebook: facebook.com/BeaconCommunityConnections