Round Table Series

August 13, 2021 | 12 PM CST 

Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation the attendee should be able to:

• Describe metabolic syndrome.
• Identify characteristics of patients who are at risk for metabolic syndrome.
• Discuss the assessment and screening criteria used to diagnose metabolic syndrome.
• Review current treatment guidelines and management strategies for patients with metabolic syndrome.
• Identify other diseases and health problems associated with metabolic syndrome.
• Explain the necessary lifestyle changes for controlling risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome.
• Identify serious comorbidities associated with metabolic syndrome and their effective treatment interventions.
• Discuss strategies for the prevention of metabolic syndrome.

Overview

Metabolic syndrome has become increasingly common in the United States, and it is a major public health concern as it increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, and coronary artery disease. According to the guidelines from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the American Heart Association, a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome is made if at least three of the following are present:

• Abdominal  obesity: Waist circumference >102 cm (>40 inches) in men, >89 cm      (>35 inches) in women
• Hypertriglyceridemia: Blood triglycerides >150 mg/dL (or on triglyceride-lowering medication)
• Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol: Blood HDL cholesterol <40 mg/dL  in men, <50 mg/dL in women
• High blood pressure: BP >130/85 mmHg or already diagnosed with hypertension
• High fasting glucose: Blood glucose >100 mg/dL

Metabolic syndrome is found to be more common in patients with mental illness as compared with the general population and is also a common side effect of antipsychotic medications. Metabolic abnormalities, however, often go undiagnosed and untreated or undertreated in patients with mental illness. Changing one’s lifestyle requires guidance and determination, which makes the role of the mental health professional integral in treatment plans. This presentation will aim to bridge the gap between medical practitioners and mental health professionals in promoting lifestyle interventions geared toward the management of metabolic syndrome. 

September 10, 2021 | 12 PM CST

Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation the participant should be able to: 

• The audience will understand the importance of intergenerational programs.
• The audience will be made aware of the benefits of an intergenerational program.
• The audience will learn how intergenerational programs enhance the well-being of the youth and senior adults . 

Overview

The focus of this program will be centered around the benefits to both adult and children. Content will also include the mechanics of developing this innovative approach to health care. Client selection will be discussed. Appropriate activities will be explored including the rational for content selection. 

October 8, 2021 | 12 PM CST 

Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• Define post-traumatic stress disorder and discuss its implications for the healthcare worker, family, and community. 
• List categories of PTSD symptoms and their diagnostic criteria.
• Explain criteria for assessment and diagnosis of PTSD.
• Discuss treatment modalities for PTSD.  

Overview

Healthcare is a dynamic, demanding and often unpredictable environment to work in. The psychological and social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have a pervasive effect on current mental health. Depending on the specific job, healthcare workers can become exposed to the psychosocial and physical hazards, including traumatic events. PTSD is a mental health problem that affects people who are exposed to potentially traumatic episodes. Healthcare workers are exposed to increased danger of contamination, loss of patients, responsibility for difficult decisions on treatment retention, and disruption of normal supportive structures. Being affected by these types of events and having some post-event reactions can be normal. However, if the thoughts or memories of these events start to persistently affect the life of the person long after the event, that person could be experiencing PTSD. 

Shannon Parker is employed as an Instructor at Alabama State University (ASU) in the Health and Physical Education Department. Her teaching focuses are on personal health, health and nutrition, and consumer health. In addition, she is an Adjunct Instructor at Auburn University in Montgomery (AUM). She is a certified Exercise Physiologist, nutrition consultant, and a member of the State of Alabama Obesity Task Force. Parker previously worked for the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base as the Health and Wellness Program Specialist. She has a master’s degree from AUM in exercise science. 

Veronica McKenzie graduated from Tuskegee University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. She earned her Master’s degree in Adult Health/ Nursing Administration from Troy State University Montgomery in 1995. She gained her certification as a Dementia Educator and Trainer in 2008. She received her certification as a Board-Certified Dementia Educator through the National Institute of Dementia Educators in 2019. She has worked with individuals with Alzheimer’s and related dementias in the hospital, nursing home and home care settings. Veronica McKenzie founded a 501c3 nonprofit organization, Successful Living Center, Dementia Specific Adult Day Care Center. The inspiration for the name of the facility came out of the belief that all individuals have the potential to be successful regardless of their physical or mental limitations. 

Dr. Moniaree Parker Jones, Ed.D., MSN, COI is an Assistant Professor in Nursing at Samford University and part-time Legal Nurse Consultant in Birmingham, Alabama. Prior to assuming her current positions, she worked as Assistant Professor at Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) and as a legal nurse consultant with the law firms of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings and Haskell, Slaughter, Young, and Rediker. She worked previously as a case manager, an occupational health nurse in a large commodities chemical plant in Louisiana, and has experience in psychiatric, emergency room nursing and public health. Jones received her Associate Degree in Nursing from Troy University, a Bachelor’s in Nursing, and a master’s degree in nursing Case Management from the University of Alabama (UA) Capstone College of Nursing. Jones holds her doctorate degree in Instructional Leadership/ Emphasis Nurse Educator Program from UA. She also holds a certification in online teaching. She is a past recipient of the Sigma Theta Tau Most Outstanding Master’s in Nursing Student Award and the Epsilon Omega Chapter Writer’s Award from UA. Jones has served on the National Board as Director-At-Large for the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants in Chicago, IL. She has also served on the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety Planning Committee and is Past President of the Alabama Coalition of Nursing Organizations. 

Currently, Jones is the local founder of the Central Alabama Association of Occupational Health Nurses and is Past President of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association Alabama Chapter. Finally, Jones is a frequent lecturer, guest speaker, and published journal and book chapter author. At Samford University, she coordinates the undergraduate program in mental health nursing and nursing research. She also teaches a curriculum design course in the graduate nursing program such as a “Mental Health and the Movies” elective.