Health Disparities Conference to Offer Continuing Education Units

The 2011 Arkansas Health Disparities Conference is approved to offer continuing education units to nurses, pharmacists, social workers and long-term care providers.

The April 15 conference recently received approval to offer participants credit for contact hours by the Arkansas Office for Long Term Care, the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy, and the Arkansas Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission and Accreditation.

The College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas and the Arkansas Migrant Education Office are sponsoring the daylong conference at the Global Campus (School of Continuing Education and Academic Outreach), 2 E. Center St., on the downtown Fayetteville square. Cost and registration information are available at https://secure.sceao.uark.edu/EventCalendar/default.aspx.

 “It has been our vision to create a conference that would offer health professionals in our state the opportunity to further their professional knowledge and, at the same time, earn the hours they need to continue in practice right here in northwest Arkansas,” said Judith Tavano, coordinator of professional development programs at the University of Arkansas Global Campus.

Three educational tracks dedicated to health disparities in aging, diversity and special populations will be offered. Keynote speakers will be Dr. Thomas Bruce, a physician and educator who has served in several capacities as a faculty member and administrator within the University of Arkansas system, and Dr. Justin Hunt, a Little Rock psychiatrist.

The conference will focus on advancing the health of vulnerable populations in Arkansas. Health practitioners, health educators, students, researchers, social workers, policymakers and interested community members are encouraged to attend.